Thankfulness

     Hello! I have had a busy weekend and I'd like to share what I did. On Saturday afternoon, the team decided to take a break from working and go to the beach. I was offered the chance to snorkle in a nearby reef. After getting out 20 yards or so, I started to struggle and drown which was frightening. After getting back to shore, I realized that I was scared of what I couldn't see. The ocean is a scary yet beautiful thing and hopefully I will have the courage to try again.
     On Sunday, the work team took a day off and went to a local hotel with a nice pool and I got to tag along. Although the pool was refreshing and the food was delicious, I couldn't help but notice that this luxurious hotel was placed right in the middle of a poverty-struck neighborhood( including straw huts and pavilions for houses.) This was truly an eye-opener for me.
     This past weekend was busy and next weekend will be even busier. On Saturday, we will be heading into Siar and camping out for 2 days. I'm excited and scared for what I might see. I hope I can write again soon and update everyone on the latest PNG news.

-Abbey

New Experiences and Home Sweet Home

     Hi everyone! PNG has been amazing(as always) but I've fallen into a routine that is becoming boring. Hopefully when I make new friends and travel to different towns I will find some excitement...
     On Tuesday afternoon, for the first time EVER, I went into the Pacific Ocean(YAY!) It's way warmer than I'm used to but I think I can live with that. Now I can scratch that off my bucket list.
     In about a week, the team will be heading into the Siar tribe to visit with the nationals and see the church that our close missionary friends built. I am very excited to get away from everything(including electronics, beds, and any cold air at all). I've heard many stories about how amazing it is there and I just can't wait to experience it. Truthfully, I'm scared out of my mind. The women there are supposed to dress very modestly and the language is very complicated and I'm just afraid I might offend someone(I'm a people-pleaser if you can't tell). I know that everything will be absolutely fine but I can't help but have anxiety about the unknown...
     Well I better get back to my boring scedule... maybe tomorrow will offer something new. I hope to update you all very soon!

-Abbey

WE'RE HERE!!!!!

     Hello! Sorry I haven't updated my blog in a while. Wifi here on Hoskin's Missions Base is very slow...
     After leaving the Philippines, we took a 6 hour plane ride to Port Moresby and an hour plane ride to Hoskin's. I can't even begin to describe how beautiful it was. For miles, all I saw was coral reefs and tropical forest. We arrived at Hoskin's Missons Base on Friday afternoon and we were welcomed with open arms.
     I'm not sure why I thought this, but I thought that Hoskin's would be very primative and we'd be living in mud huts or something. I was proven wrong when I was able to sleep in a comfy bed after almost 60 hours of traveling. Jet lag didn't hit me too hard and I was so thankful for that.
     On Monday morning, we ventured into town to go shopping for food to feed the men on the building team. Either we bought alot or the price of food is high in PNG but we bought almost $1000 worth of food. Shopping in Kimbe was truly a culture shock. While we were in the store, we were given looks that could pierce like a knife. Maybe it was because we were white or because we were buyng lots of food but I have never felt like I was in the minority(EVER!) until then.
     But other than that experience, everything has been truly amazing. I met 5 kids my age on base and they have invited me to do  stuff with them which is honestly a blessing because I had no idea what to expect when I came here.

     The building team has been working so hard for the last 3 days. Everyone is so shocked by their progress so far and I'm very confident that they will finish what needs to be done by the time we leave. Hopefully I can update you all with pictures from the project and the friends I've made here. I will try my best to update you all ASAP.

-Abbey

Getting There...

     Hi everyone!!! All our flights so far have gone excellent and I'm so thankful that I had some leg room on the way across the Pacific Ocean.

This was my view on the way out of JFK in New York City( bye America!!!)



















After 6 hours of flying, we landed in Vancouver, Canada. They allowed us to get off the plane for about 30 minutes and stretch before we boarded for the 11 hour flight from Vancouver to the Philippines. At the moment, we are waiting in the airport in Manila. I honestly never thought that I would be this far from home. It's bone-chilling, yet thrilling at the same time!!! I hope I can update you all when I arrive in PNG!!!

-Abbey

     As most of you know, I am currently preparing for a trip to Papua New Guinea. Preparing for a trip like this involves alot of planning. I've been packing for days, gathering school work together, and preparing myself emotionally and physically for this  trip.

     My ultimate goal for this trip is to get a better perspective on this amazing world. Although I have had much anxiety about this trip, I hope that I can grow and develope in a positive way.

     Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and prayed for me and the missions team!!! I will do my best to keep everyone posted on the latest PNG news.

-Abbey