July 2013

Well it's been an interesting month for us here in Kompiam. Early in the month we set out to go for a weeks holiday. On the way we had a bit of an incident where we just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and in the wrong vehicle. Long story, but the end result was the car was attacked by an angry mob with bush knives, stolen, and all our gear was taken as well. Through God's amazing hand of protection not an angry hand was laid on any of the girls, though they were pretty shaken up at the time. Again we are thankful for God's protection and care through the whole incident and have valued your prayers. The hospital car is still stuck up a mountain somewhere and we are talking with the villagers about trying to get it back.  I think our belongings are long gone.  The rest of the month has been relatively normal and peaceful by comparison! 

View over the hospital from the water tower. Our house is the silver roof right at the back in the middle of the picture

Another view from the water tower with the school the three green buildings on the left

Russell had to repaint the red cross on the water tower - scary, but good for photos!

These two spent 4-5 weeks at the hospital with their mothers who were patients.

The 6 new school laptops donated by the City Tabernacle Baptist Church for the school

Steep decent to the river

Last picture of the hospital car as we set out on holidays

Campaigning for local elections - Enga Style

Campaigning for local elections - Enga Style

Campaigning for local elections - Enga Style

Kompiam's little terrors together again

Pig being butchered for a mumu

All ready to go in the ground

Lots of interesting posters at the hospital

Our hospital vehicles. The one in the middle was the one stolen and you can see the writing on the side which was the prime reason it was attacked.

Sau River

Kindy's new pet Rhino beetle

Another of God's stunning creations - pictures don't do it justice

Nancy with Lydia

This is how the babies get around - strong necks.

Kompiam wildlife

6 National Rural Doctors at Kompiam for training

Kompiam wildlife

June 2013

June seems to have flown past. Looking forward to school holidays coming up in early July. Pictures below.

Weighing babies as part of remote clinic work

Our new hospital incinerator finally up and running

Compensation or exchange of pigs between two fighting tribes

Taking the medical students for a walk down to the river

Nancy's little Hercules Moth (laid some eggs on her hand and they have subsequently hatched)

Red capped flowerpecker knocked out of a tree by the boys with their sling-shots and then brought to Heather for repairs (unfortunately it didn't make it)

The Mill's family and Owen

Ambulance mishap, slipping off the side of this iron bridge

Found a new water hole

Saturday morning walks with Wendy and Kompiam in the background

The new Paediatric building which is due to open in August

This months butterfly and moth collection

Heather's Irish Dancing lessons

Our new kitchen complete with solar fridge

Our new house in the foreground, identical house being built behind for one of the new doctors

The high school girls ready for their speeches

May 2013

May has seen us move into our new house, and with the arrival of the container from Australia we have been busy putting together Ikea furniture and getting a lot more settled. Another highlight was a trip down to Goroka for Russell and a few others from the hospital to have a look at AT Projects who are doing some great work in remote communities and health centers around the country.  Sandy continues to grow and finally got a flea collar sent up from Australia so hopefully this helps with the problem common to all PNG dogs. The girls have had fun playing soccer and volley ball and we have started touch footy for sport on a Friday afternoon so enjoying playing again.

Sandy having his bath

Kids Playing in the Guava tree - local playground

Heather and Chelsea-Vienna

Outside the new house

Wiring the new clothesline

Water tanks for our health center on the new truck with Charles the driver

Bird of Paradise

Bridge that we had to use when the road was cut

Micro bat drops in for a visit

Bridge repairs on the road - the hospital does a lot of this work to keep the road open

Kompiam little terrors / cuties

Police Highway Robbery Unit on the way to Goroka

Took a walk into one of PNG's few National Parks with our trip to Goroka - Mick, Garry and our expensive, but informative guide Apex

Doing a fan dance in the National Park

Chooks at Christian Leader's Training College - where we get all our eggs

Russell's 'relatives' the Andira's (parents of a workmate from Talisman)

Family snap including out youngest Sandy

After the Kompiam Hospital Youth scavenger hunt - great fun!

A new swimming spot on the river

Nightly guests

Another nightly guest who decided to check out the new house (A "Manaken" in Engan, apparently this is a baby and it's venomous but not deadly)