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The trip to Arop

Because our airstrips were closed, we had to fly past Arop to get to Vanimo, near the border with Indonesia. As we flew past, we could see the metal roofs of the Arop community school (top, just left of center), and the community school in Wauroiyn (top right), giving us some perspective on where we live now compared to where we lived on the beach (lower left).

From the air we could see the "Otto," the dangerous opening of the lagoon that would figure prominently later in the day. When we took the photo, the sea was calm. What makes "Otto" dangerous the combination of ocean swells, waves caused by tides going in and out of that narrow mouth, and wind-driven waves. The three combined can cause mass confusion, and have capsized many boats. Our goal was to make it to Otto before dark so our skipper would have a chance at a safe trip in.

As we continued to fly northwest, we could see the entire lagoon including the canal that leads to the old Sissano airstrip (lighter green strip in the bottom right corner). We have heard rumors that this airstrip will be re-opened soon by a timber company. That would make trips in and out of the village easier than they have been since the 1998 tsunami.

On landing in Vanimo, we got out at the Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) hangar.

As we waited for our boat that was supposed to meet us in Vanimo, a small boy was watching passengers boarding the Air Niugini jet. Can you read the safety sign in Pidgin?

NOKEN SIMOK = Don't smoke. NOKEN LAITIM MASIS = Don't light matches. KILIM IDAI MOBAIL FOUN, REIDIO NA PEIJA = Turn off mobile phone, radio, and pager.

Eventually we received a cell phone call from Emil Ninkure, who was standing on the beach in Arop. He let us know the Arop boat would definitely not be coming. We hired another boat, loaded up and by 2:00 we thought we'd be leaving soon. Nathan Miles (left) of United Bible Societies and I had no idea how interesting the trip would get. See the shorter board straddling the boat? That is a nice thing to sit on, but the perpendicular piece of wood that holds it in place should be inside the boat. When it's on the outside, it splashes water on you. Believe me, I know this.

The skipper had to buy gas first, causing a one-hour delay.

When the skipper tried to start the outboard motor, the pull rope broke, causing another delay.

But we did learn this: If your wrench is too large, you can make it smaller by inserting a flat-head screwdriver.

By 3:45 we were really ready to go. Should we go or should we wait until the next morning? Could we make it to Otto before dark? I decided we should go, but the sea was rougher and the hour later than I thought. I recounted the rest of this exciting day here, sharing the lessons we learned from this trip--some humorous, and some not. When you read that story, you'll know why I don't have any more pictures: sea spray and darkness.

More of the rest of the story: March 2009 Translation Workshop.