Journey across the Pacific

We're HOME! Thanks to everyone who prayed us across the world. It couldn't have gone better, truly. God is so gracious. The kids are thrilled to be here and playing like crazy with all the toys they missed and outside on the trampoline. Gavin and I are working at unpacking, of course, and Isaac is super busy catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. School starts tomorrow, as does my work in the Clinic lab (which is severely understaffed and losing its lab person for a few weeks, effective tomorrow). Gavin starts back to work on Monday. Please continue to pray for our transition, including culturally. People have started coming to our door, and we need wisdom for each situation!

A few photos from our travel:

Last minute folding party of the last load of clean clothes. Thanks to Gavin's siblings and their spouses in Oregon! 

Gavin's parents and nephew Ethan dropped us off at PDX. It was sad to say goodbye.

Walking to our gate in Portland. The flight to LAX was super easy.

Waiting in LAX. Our transfer was absolutely seamless! We only had to walk a short bit, and our bags had already been checked through. We flew out just before midnight, and the 15-hour flight was perfect! We slept and watched movies and ate food. What could be better? Thanks for praying!

Arriving in Cairns, Australia to our beloved "Aunt" Natalie (the one who trained me in the Clinic lab here in PNG)

It was such a surprise to see her at the airport!

 (I'll post pics of our two days in Cairns later . . . )

Goodbye hugs for Aunt Nat as we prepare to fly to PNG

Enjoying the Cairns airport terminal with a couple of Aussie friends. The flight to Port Moresby was also seamless and quick, as was our clearance of Customs when we got there, praise God!

On our way up to Ukarumpa in our organization's Kodiak!

Welcomed by wonderful friends - what a blessing!