Finishing up in Marulaon

Tuesday, August 24

We caught the morning shipping report which only told us that the Bikoi was still out West. When we asked our neighbors what time they though the ship would come, we got answers that ranged from noon to "evening". So, we enjoyed the day by visiting with neighbors and reading books. I can't remember the last time I've been able to just be still and quiet - what a blessing! Aaron had to hook up a small canister of gas to cook lunch since the two big ones were already down on the beach awaiting the ride to Honiara. At 3 o'clock, we heard the shipping report estimate that the Bikoi would arrive in Marulaon at 6 o'clock. So, we began last minute preparations. As the sun sank a little behind the trees, I watered the seedlings so Eileen wouldn't have to, and everyone grabbed backpacks and headed down to the beach.

Right at 6 o'clock the Bikoi stopped in between Marulaon and Karumalun as usual, and motor boats and dugout canoes began racing to the ship. We waited and waited and waited some more until Hensi's sister, Grace, came to tell us that the motorboat we would use was taking a sick old man to the Bikoi first. Just as the motorboat came to shore, the Bikoi began to pull out, and we began to PRAY! Thankfully, our friends had passed word to the captain that we were still coming, and another motorboat showed up to get our stuff. So the two motorboats quickly transported us and our belongings to the Bikoi where we hurriedly climbed on board. Our favorite place to ride at night is on top, so we lugged our backpacks and computer bags up to the open deck while the crew loaded our boxes into the hold. We spread out our two thermarest mattresses and arranged the backpacks for pillows - our whole family sprawled all over each other in about 42 square feet! By this time, it was quickly growing dark, and we watched the sun sinking in the West and the moon rising in the East - beautiful!

We dozed among the commotion until we arrived in Honiara around 1:30 a.m., where we found a smiling SITAG friend awaiting us. He helped us unload our baggage, waited while we paid our fees, piled boxes into the van and a taxi, and got in the van. At 2:30 a.m. when he finally put the key into the ignition, all we heard was "rurr, rurr" as the vehicle refused to start. So, Aaron hailed a few big guys, and he and the men pushed the van so our friend could pop it into gear. We finally arrived in our SITAG house a little before 3 a.m. to find several care packages and supper waiting! God knew that we needed a little boost. We are soooo greatful for your prayers as we travel back and forth. Our safety and our stamina are upheld by our many gracious prayer partners around the world.

Monday, August 23

In the midst of packing and cleaning, I took a break to go say goodbye to some of our neighbors. Since we all anticipate seeing each other again, we don't have to go through a big ritual of feasting together, but I still like to make the rounds in the village. Leku's mama, Sarah, has been struggling for over a year with paralysis and a weak back. She spent several months in the hospital in Honiara during the first part of this year. Every time I see her, she smiles her sweet smile and thanks me for praying for her. As you can see above, she's up and walking now!

Thursday, August 19

This morning, we left around 7 a.m. to try and get the work done before the sun got too hot. When Eileen and I arrived, we found Isabella already hard at work burning the leftover brush. I brought our big (and heavy) rake, so for a long time Eileen and I just raked and burned while Isabella began to dig the mounds for planting. Soon, Pogo and Justina showed up to help - I was so thankful! Digging mounds for ubikola and umalau is back-breaking work. By the time we were finished around lunch, we had close to 100 holes dug and planted, I had a hole burned in my skirt, and all of the green coconuts I brought to drink were empty!

After I took a shower, ate a little bit, and rested, Katherine and I grabbed the camera and the voice recorder and walked over to Kiko's house. Her mother (picture above) is one of the oldest ladies in the village, and I wanted to try and record stories from when she was young. Unfortunately, she doesn't remember anything and couldn't even tell me stories from when her kids were young. But she does make great brooms from the spines of coconut leaves! I got some recordings from Kiko, her sister, Grace, and her neice, Lauren, while we all munched on ubikola that had been roasted in the fire. We'll listen to the recordings when we are in Honiara to help us with language learning.

Wednesday, August 18

Yesterday, Aaron paddled over with Hensi to Karumalun to surprise Ezekiel. They had a great visit and Aaron continued building his relationships with both Hensi and Ezekiel. This afternoon, Eileen and Isabella (her sister-in-law) broke their week-long mourning period early so that we could go burn the garden. As we walked the path to the garden, my friends cut down dried coconut leaves. By the time we got to our destination, we were all carrying big loads of leaves. When we arrived, we turned over the piles of brush to let the sun cook them a little longer while we sat and storied. Then we took our coconut leaves and spread them on top of the brush and set them on fire with a coal Eileen brought from the village. We'll go back tomorrow to finish burning and preparing the ground, and then the hard work will really begin!