Hume International Ministries

Today was an interesting day. Dave dropped us at the airport about an hour and 15 minutes before we were to board. The ever present and ever “helpful” Japanese directed us to this super long line checking in for Tokyo. After standing in line for a bit, it occurred to me that our kind helper assumed we were headed for the States and directed us to the International check-in.
Having guessed this to be the case, I moved to a domestic line and stepped right up to the counter. After receiving the OK, I signaled Derek to come as well. He bypassed the security screening with our bags and stood at the counter. After much bungling and questions and joking, we realized our bags were checked in without having been screened. Oopsie!! The attendant asked if we had a preference for seating and of course we did… Business class. We are so funny. As long as we were near each other it didn’t matter. As we enter the plane we double check our seat assignments – 1A and 1B. That’s right! Front row in Business Class. We were floored. It was only a two hour flight and they didn’t serve a meal, but it was Business Class and we were comfy.

Our purpose for stopping in Tokyo was to promote Shorebreak at the Yokosuka Naval Base. Our Malachi rep James has been on the job for three weeks. Tonight was his first event since taking over for Nate Johnson. He had twenty show up for Karaoke night. Truely a once in a lifetime experience (which I hope to never repeat). High school students, unlimited cotton candy, tacky sing-a-longs, unlimited ice cream and forty degree temperatures are a near lethal combination for anyone just stepping off a plane followed by a two hour bus ride.
Students had a great time, however. We sponsored a robot dance off for champ shirts. Due to a lack of video projection Derek was spared a command performance of “Broom Hockey Baby”. He made memories anyway. Several are extremely excited for Spring and can’t wait for the new broom hockey video.

So this morning we get a wake up call saying we need to be ready to go in 10 minutes. The winds are calm and the seas are only @ 2.5 meters. We’re on for Tokashiki. We had an interesting chat with a security guard who spent 35 years in the Japanese Air Force. Great conversation ending with, “Who do I` chose, Buddha or Jesus?”.

Once we left the harbor the roller coaster started. Sitting inside was not an option. There was too much fun to be had out in the spray. The East China Sea is a sweet shade of blue… so much so that even a color blind guy like myself noticed.
As for the resort, I’m pretty jealous. I think we should consider having staff retreat here.

Highlights of the day… #1. Watching a veteran missionary try to convince people to set aside their lives and take us wherever we want to go. He relies on cold hard cash because a three year old speaks better Japanese than he does. #2 Power napping on a deserted beach for 90 minutes before waking up to the deafening roar of a low flying fighter jet.

Inside advice: if you ever make it to Japan, stay away from ANYTHING with Goya (goi ya). Flat out nastiest taste I’ve ever experienced.

As for promo, we went to Camp Foster (USMC) tonight with Dave and Andrea’s new work. The youth group is only four weeks old. They had about fifteen students including three first timers. Parents are so grateful to have a young couple take such an interest in the lives of their children. We were sobered by the knowledge that one of the volunteers won’t be able to attend Shorebreak in April. She heads to Iraq in January for a six month tour of duty.

Tomorrow we head to Yokoda Naval Base and a Karaoke night. We can hardly wait…

Derek and PK here in Okinawa. We are so disappointed today. We were to go to the island of Tokashiki and tour the resort we’ll be using in April. We arrived at the ferry only to find the docks empty. The trip was cancelled due to rough seas. Something about 14 foot waves and a 25 foot boat. I don’t understand the problem. The math seems to work for me. The boat is still bigger than the wave.
Apparently Buddy Rathmall (the Malachi director) thought the same. We spent the next 30 minutes driving around the docks trying to convince local fishermen to take us out to the island. They just laughed at the crazy American. Don’t they ever watch ‘Deadliest Catch”? Sissies…
In any event, there has been some talk about going to a castle or rock climbing. I know what you’re thinking and you are wrong. This is work and we are trying to be diligent. But when God sends rough seas and the kiddies are in school, what else can we do?
Did I mention how comforting it is to hear all these fighter jets flying back and forth in the background? Proud to be American, that’s for sure.

Today the travel resumes. We Leave New Tribes Highlands Support Center today @ 8:00am and end the day in Singapore by 8:00pm. After a 12 hour layover, most of the team heads back to the States, while Derek and I head to Japan to help Malachi Ministries promote the Shorebreak camp in April.
I met 8 of the students at the compound gate this morning. They were headed to the airport to fly back tho the island of New Briton where their parents are stationed. It is humbling to know that in the budgeting priorities of people whose income is based solely on donations, SEW is a high priority. Above the cost of camp these students work to pay their airfare to and from camp.
After arriving home from camp, students wanted to take us “to the river”. Let me make one thing clear… NEVER trust a missionary kid. They are nuts!!! We’ll post photos of this grand event as time allows. Until then, know that bruises, cuts and hypothermia are a sufficient advertisement.
As I type, the house is filling with kids on their way to school. We may get into some trouble with Admnin and tardy students but we are worth it. Just kidding! Its good to know they think of us like chocolate, coffee, surfing; things they can’t get enough of (I just took a quick poll.). Poor kiddies, it just proves how desperate they are.
Time to run as we are about to load up. The kids are singing happy birthday to Karey. She is Savoring the concept of a 36 hour day of celebration.

PK

Hey all…Derek here! Christina Wenger and I just got finished with the Junior High Spiritual Emphasis Week which took place the same time as High school SEW, but back at the main New Tribes compound. I had the privilege to speak to about 40 of them. The students were amazing and we had blast!

We started the time off with some great recreation games consisting of some teambuilding elements, a scavenger hunt, relays, disgusting food games and of course, a burping contest!!

That night we were blessed by a great time of worship lead by Paul and Dave. After I spoke we watched a Christian movie called “Time Changer.” The guys then had the option to have an overnighter under the stars where they ended up playing midnight rugby!!

We were blessed by some amazing pancakes the following morning and then had our morning meeting. I really tried to challenge the students with the idea of trusting God because He is all-knowing, which means He knows what is best for my life, He is all-powerful, which means He can actually do the things He says He will do, and that He is all-loving.

That afternoon we had the opportunity to hike out to Up-track, which is basically an old power line tower without the power lines. The amazing thing was that it began to pour like crazy on the hike!! Everyone was instantly sopping wet!! We all eventually embraced the rain and continued on. Once we arrived, the students climbed to the top of the tower without hesitation… they do things a little differently here in PNG!!!

Sat. night all the students were bussed into town where we got to hang out at the nicest place in town called ”the Bird.” There was a pool there and a smash ball court, which the kids made sure to take advantage of! We then were served a really nice dinner in one of the banquet rooms there where all the students were able to get all dressed up for the occasion.

It was an amazing time with the students. Christina and I were so blessed by them. I was amazed at how well behaved and respectful they all were. God is truly doing some amazing things through the lives of the students here.

Bare feet footprints in the warehouse
 

Happy worker
 

Inside the base, and yes, the sky was like this at least once a day.
 

Walking over to have lunch with one of the families and the food was super good. We had Indian Summer Soup and Minestrone… all homemade and rediculously tasty.
 

Derek having lunch with the boys
 

Kyle, Will and Christina with the kids having a little bit too much fun.
 

Taking off to go back to Lapilo!