News from the black...

Sorry it’s taken so long to be in contact; communications here in Popondetta and Oro Bay are less reliable than I expected…

Suffice it to say that I have arrived safely.

With many important matters to discuss, let me begin with the trivial:

I have discovered the perfect shoes for the PNG climate: crocs. Light, comfortable, don’t get soggy in mud puddles. It was worth the time and effort traipsing all over Melbourne to find the right size, style and colour.

There are a few issues with this placement at Oro Bay that I am trying to work out. For now, can I just ask that those of you who pray, please mention this situation occasionally. Thanks.

I’m hogging someone else’s computer to write this, so I should go.

Love to all,

Sharmini

Happy New Year!

Greetings all! As I type this I'm getting ready to head to Port Moresby for a night before heading to Popondetta and Oro Bay on the 4th. I've had a wonderful time here in Goroka.

I've been staying with a family that works for MAF - Mission Aviation Fellowship. I cannot speak highly enough about what they do here in PNG. In a country with very little infrastructure, they provide an incredibly valuable service, transporting people, coffee, medical supplies and occasionally patients. On Christmas Day this year, they received a radio call about a woman in a remote village with prolonged labour. I was privileged to ride along with the MAF pilot, Tim, and a health worker, Barb, who dropped everything to go. The baby did not survive, but the mother will be ok.

Well... lots of challenges ahead, probably a few I haven't thought of...

For those of you who pray:

Praise God for the work of MAF.

Please pray for a few administrative details that I'm still waiting to fall into place. Also for safe travel, and that when I arrive, I'll be able to get along well with people and get a clear idea of what needs doing.

When I get sorted out, I will let you know my contact details.

Love to all,

Sharmini

Belated but sincere Merry Christmas

Some of you may be pleased to know that my accustomed Christmas Scrooge-like grumpiness and cynicism has been tempered by spending this quiet festive season with my wonderful friends who are a calming influence: Jacqui, Greg, Louis and Rachel.

Love to you all as we stop to celebrate the birth of an extraordinary baby...

Sharmini

P.S. Just a quick reminder that I can't readily access my usual email account. I will post an address here as soon as I can set it up.

Christmas is coming in PNG...

I thought that I would escape the pre-Christmas endless repetition of Christmas songs in supermarkets, but whe I arrived in Goroka, guess what? they had 'Let it snow' playing in the local supermarket. (Which is about as likely to happen as... well, something very very unlikely.)

I have, however, arrived safely. I had a dream trip, no problems with any of the connections. Special thanks to Deshan and Clayde who drove me to the airport, hung around to keep me company, and provided expert advice on packing.

I'm looking forward to a few days of readjusting to the climate and the language, and also getting some rest over Christmas, before heading out to Popondetta and Oro Bay. Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone!

Sharmini

Leaving on a jet plane...

But I do know that I should be back again at the end of April 07.
I still have no idea about email contact while I'm away but I'll post here
to keep you updated.
At the moment things are very very busy trying to get ready to go. I am
incredibly grateful to all the wonderful people who have helped me through
this whole process.
This post feel very repetitive... but I may have more to say after I arrive
in PNG on Monday.
Sharmini

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Welcome

Welcome to Sharmini... online! I'm trialling this method of keeping in touch especially while I'll be in Papua New Guinea.

At this stage the plan is for me to leave Melbourne shortly before Christmas and spend some time with friends in Goroka (about the middle of PNG) before heading out to Popondetta and Oro Bay where I'll be working for about 4 months via th Anglican Health Service and Popondetta General Hospital.

I've been overwhelmed by the support and concern that I've had from so many people - a thousand thanks.

There are still a lot of details to be worked out - I'll keep you up-to-date as I know more.

For those who pray:
Please praise God for this opportunity.
Please pray for the remaining details that need to be resolved before I leave. Please pray for safety in travel and for the period of settling in.

More later!
Sharmini