A quiet tragedy

Rocky and impossible mountains, cut by water cascading down sharp rocks. Flying above, the only thing in view is endless jungle with a rare glimpse of thatched roof huts, clustered together in lonely huddles. To say villages in Papua New Guinea are remote is an understatement. They are becoming connected to the rest of the […]

Trading “power rage” for peace

“NOOOOOO. Not again!! Please???” Muffled grunts and a loud, “MOMMYYYY!!! NO POWERRRRR!!!!” The day my child raged at the fan was an eye-opener. Later she told Grammy she loves the outside of our new house, but the inside is “funky.” I’m sorry… what??? Funky?!? What is funky about the house we poured so much energy, […]

Signs and wonders

Christmas Eve found us in Delaware excited to go see everyone at church one last time. A mere week later we would be leaving for Papua New Guinea, our heads and hearts anticipating the coming separation. Part of the excitement was simply Christmas Eve anticipation. There’s the underlying thrill that typically defines Christmas Eve for […]

The day Rey chose Ray

The bright red numbers on the clock didn’t lie and the deep stillness that accompanies the minutes between night and morning, unsure which they want to be, all told me it was much too early to get up. It was going to be a long day and I should sleep. I rolled over sure I […]

Illicit haircuts

I could see Ray sliding by out of the corner of my eye. That she was guilty of something was clear as day. What exactly, I was less sure of. We were in the middle of quiet time and I couldn’t imagine what she was trying to keep from me. She crab-walked towards the kitchenette, […]