Today we returned from an amazing week in the village of Pyramid in the interior of Papua. We took the plane from the first photo, Trigana Airlines, to Wamena. Then from Wamena, after waiting at the MAF hangar there (photo 2) for our turn, we took the MAF plane in photo 3 (piloted by fellow Canuck Tim Smith of Ottawa) to Pyramid. It's about a 10 minute flight. Photo 4 is Tim taking off again to go get the next group. We had to transport 141 people using Cessna aircraft... The fence in the next photo is one that MAF had built just for this time. Normally this airstrip isn't used any more as there is a road from Wamena to Pyramid. But as MAF owns lots of planes, not lots of cars we used the plane. Never mind that the road isn't in stellar condition. This fence is to keep people and pigs off the runway. If a pilot wishes to land and there is a pig on the runway or he does land and there is a pig, the village must pay a one million rupiah fine. We do this as they often don't understand just how dangerous it is to be out there when the plane is. Photo 5 is the row that our rooms were located in. We were the middle two doors. As you can see by the second last photo, the accomodations were deluxe! In front of the main building where we ate and had our meetings, was a small hill and the kids could sled down it... I know, a little odd, but it worked!
The climate in Pyramid is quite dry and much colder at night and when the sun goes away. We really had to wear pants and jackets a lot. We only had rain once and that happened when a group of us, including Mikah and I, were climbing the mountain behind the complex. (pictures of that will be posted later...)
Our time in Pyramid was a great time of fellowship and learning. Twice each day we listened to Pastor Matt Hannan speak and he taught us from the beginning of the book of Acts. The kids attended a VBS put on by young people from the New Heights Church in Vancouver, Washington. The kids had a great time and got lots and lots of American Candy!
I'm so tired as we had to get up at 5:30 for our 6:00 check-in for our flight to Wamena. So I will end for now but plan to post more pics and such tomorrow...
2 comments:
Welcome back! Glad it went so well. Good for the kids to socialize too...probably their 1st VBS experience hey? It's amazing how our bodies climatize to the weather.
BTW, the pkg was delivered to the Berg's. (-:
Welcome Home!!! It sounds like you had a great time with everyone. The kids probably enjoyed being with lots of other kids as well. So now I imagine it is back to the grind again and it will feel like you were never even gone.
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