Sunday, August 05, 2007

They've Arrived!

As Erica cannot presently access blogger.com, she asked that I (PJH) update her blog and post some recent pictures of their lodgings and activities in Sentani.

After a long flight, they have arrived safely in Sentani, Papua. With great fanfare, the whole town came out to celebrate their arrival!!!



Well, that's what they thought. Actually, it seems that the locals heard a rumour that their luggage arrived with them - on the same flight!!!!! - and they just wished to confirm that this was true. Then the Feunekes proceeded to their house ...



..... where Hugo, acting upon his paternal instincts, bravely climbed the nearest palm tree, meditated in Indonesian, and surveyed the landscape.



In the distance, he could see Erica, the love of his life, immediately going about household chores, including dutifully hanging the laundry to dry, humming Kum-ba-yah as she went.



















Aidan set out to invite the compound guard - apparently armed with a guitar - to join a new band he is setting up. Apparently the first song in their repetiore will be "O Canada".



Hugo started his real work taking apart planes and laughing, as the perplexed locals contemplate putting them back together again.















WAIT...uh-oh!! Sorry, we were caught reminiscing on their 1st experience in Sentani, 2003. This is what happens when friends ask friends for a favour! (-:

But seriously though .... they have indeed arrived safely after a long but relatively uneventful flight. Aidan was ill the night before they left but thankfully recovered quickly. They are coincidentally living in the same house as 2003 (see below) for the next month or so until their new home is completed. As such, they will not quite be settling yet, as they will continue to be living out of suitcases and using other people's stuff. Marc & Brynne approve of the new sandbox although Brynne is sleeping in Dad & Mom's room as she doesn't want them out of her sight right now.





Hugo and Erica - you have reached the end of one leg of your journey and we congratulate you on successfully completing 10 months of language training and reaching your intended destination! It was a long road but what a benefit to interact with the local people in Bandung - we trust that this will make you more effective in your work in Sentani. A new journey lies ahead but we're sure you are excited to "get to work". May God bless your labours as you work in God's kingdom being shining lights in a dark world. Sending our love from your old stompin' grounds in Canada.

8 comments:

PSS said...

Great job on the post PJH! Erica, I was thinking that you sure had been busy your first few days in Sentani. Glad to hear that you have arrived safely and hope that your house is finished soon so that you can finally get settled.

Fried said...

So VERY THANKFUL to read the colourful blog today and see that you arrived safely.Praise be to GOD!!!!!!!!!
Now to get to work!!!!.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may keep and bless all your endeavours as your officially start your work.
Luv you all
Aunt Frieda

Anonymous said...

Erg leuke blog vandaag,wie is PJH?,Pearl, You did a good job anyway. Loved to read it. We hoorden via tante Mineke van de ontmoeting met Maaike/Reinier en kids.
Love Pama

Anonymous said...

Lieve mensen,
Goed om te horen dat jullie veilig en wel in Sentani zijn aangekomen. Wat zullen de kinderen zich heerlijk kunnen uitleven de komende dagen, met zoveel ruimte om hen heen!
Veel succes met 'settelen'en veel liefs van ons hier!
Richard Marieke Alain en Joah

Doulanic said...

Hey Pearl - great job with the pics and such ....you had me going for a minute there. I enlarged the first picture and sat there thinking "how could that possibly be?????" ha ha! 'tis good for a laugh!

Hugo and Erica - glad to hear you've arrived safely in Sentani. May God give you all you need now as you begin your mission work where you've been called. Hopefully the next month will go by quickly. Can't wait to see more photos of your present digs and your upcoming new home! Sterkte!

Unknown said...

Hugo and Erica... got your card, and are happy and thankful to hear you have arrived safely.
Please give our regards to the brothers and sisters in Sentani.
Salam... uncle keith & aunt coby

Anonymous said...

Hugo and Erica and kiddies:
Love Pearl's humor!! Hope Hugo's first days at work went well, maybe even got his hands dirty.... And the kids first days at the new school too! And Erica without the ibus....or have you found a helper already? At least you're close to Hugo's work for a while...We had a few very restful weeks, camping in the wilderness. Even saw a cougar! Now its back to work for us too. Love you all, give the kids a big hug from gramma and grampa!!!

Mary said...

Well we just got back from a week away and first thing is...check the BLOG!!! Well it was good to read that you all arrived safely and that all has gone well and to see that Adain has shrunk a bit!!! Oh yeah no those were the pictures from last time!!! Good one Pearl:)
Well Erica, Hugo and kiddies it is good to hear that you have all arrived safely at your destination. It probably all feels a bit on the familiar side...home. The kids probably asked what the green stuff was seeing as they had very little experience with it the last year. WOW they can actually run around outside in the open spaces. Hugo jumping for joy to be able to use his expertise on the planes...I can just see him smiling. Well all we hope and pray that God will continue to watch over you and keep you in His care and that the new home will be ready for you soon and that your posessions arrive safely as well. We send you all our love from our home to yours.
Mary