We have now been in country for 6 weeks! (as of May 5)
We are very slowly adjusting to the heat if one ever adjusts
completely! After all, even the people
born here suffer! The days it rains are
slightly better because at least it cools off a bit. We are told we are now in the dry season and
it still rains at least twice a week and not just gentle rain showers but
downpours. We are also becoming
accustomed to earthquake tremors several times a week.
All Diocesan priests, deacons and deacons to be were
at retreat the last week of April. It
was good to visit with Fr. Nixon and Deacon Chris from Kaliai and Fr. Yarek
from Bariai.
Everything seems to be settling in to some
degree. There are still some questions
as to what exactly Ron and I will be doing but Ron has had the pleasure of
travelling to several of the closer parishes and has begun his assessments of
parish buildings, schools and health centers.
He has also done some work on the Libori House on the Diocesan grounds which
is where the priests reside when they are in Kimbe. Currently, he is beginning to work on the
Health Center on the grounds as well.
I have been working on the financial side of things,
trying to figure out GST tax refunds, etc.
Every item purchased has a 10% sales tax, there are no income taxes in
PNG, and the Church may request refunds of a certain amount of the taxes they
have paid on purchases. These forms have
not been filed for several years. I have
several ready for the Bishop to carry to Port Moresby on May 14 and we are
hoping for a very healthy refund!
Recently, the Caritas Sisters asked me if I would work
with one of the sisters on her English, so I have had the pleasure of working
with Sr. Lomero three days a week. Sr.
Lomero came directly from South Korea with no English other than reading and
writing. When she reads something aloud
she does very well, but in every day speaking she gets confused and slips back
into Korean. I am blessed because she
tries so hard and in the process she is sharing some of her culture with me as
well as some of her personal history.
As always, we continue to be thankful for those in the
USA who pray for us and support us in so many ways. You are in our prayers as well.
O,
Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
It is great to hear from you. You are very adventurous to have taken on this missionary work. It certainly has its challenges but I know you will never regret one moment. You are in our thoughts and prayers. may the Lord protect you and bless you and be your strength and joy every day. Love, Glen and Dorli
ReplyDeleteAugust 1st 2018 Hi Karen and Ron, We thoroughly enjoy reading your blogs; all your little and big details are fascinating. Praise be to God for the openness of the people, for the Polish priest, for the Bishop and his family and the sisters. I can imagine your joy at the "care" package from home. Your daily routine is rigorous too, especially the early hours, lack of running water, and power off and on. You are in our prayers every day. May the Lord continue to strengthen you and fill you with great joy and peace. Love, Glen and Dorli
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