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A Message From The Howards
Dear friends and family,
We are writing to let you know that we have arrived safely in Ukarumpa, and are settling in to life here and adjusting to the difference in time zones. We arrived last Wednesday, and are mostly over the jet lag, as we are getting into a more normal sleep schedule.
 Just about two hours before we were supposed to leave for the airport, we received word that our New Tribes Mission flight from Cairns, Australia to Ukarumpa was cancelled because the pilot was still waiting for his Papua New Guinea visa to be renewed. We knew that we would have to make other travel arrangements for that leg of the trip, but first we needed to catch our flight from New York to Hong Kong.
The other details would have to wait. We were met by our friends in Hong Kong, and, although badly jet lagged (after a 16-hour flight that took us 12 time zones away), we enjoyed two days with them seeing a few sights in between naps. While there we found out that our best option was to fly from Cairns to Port Moresby on a commercial flight the day after we were to arrive in Australia, and then take a New Tribes flight from Port Moresby to Ukarumpa. So we went online and booked a flight on Airlines PNG.
After arriving in Australia, we rented a van to get something to eat and shop for a few needed items. Then we went back to our hotel and took naps. That evening some of our friends there came over and brought dinner with them. It was nice to still be able to visit with them even though our stay there was abbreviated. The next morning we were up at 4:00 and off to the airport for our 6:45 departure. By 9:00 AM we were in Port Moresby and we enjoyed a swim and lunch at a nearby hotel, as we waited for our afternoon flight.
 Late that afternoon we arrived in Ukarumpa, two days before originally planned. We were welcomed back by friends who drove out to the airstrip to see us. It has been nice to catch up with friends here, and the kids have enjoyed renewing their friendships as they play together.
Right now we are just trying to get settled and attend to some things that need to be done before we go to the village. Our trip to the village has not been set yet, but I (David) will probably make a trip there first to get our house in order before the whole family goes out.
Thank you for praying for us. Please continue to pray for us as we readjust to life in Papua New Guinea, and as we set our schedule for the weeks and months ahead. We are blessed to have you standing with us.
Finally, please take note of our Papua New Guinea email address: d-s.howard@sil.org.pg. Our furlough email address will continue to be forwarded to us, but this will be our primary address while on the field.
Love,
David & Susan |
