Way overdue update on Seth . . . and a trip to the Islands.

Thank you all for your prayers for our Sether (or "Seffers", as some of his siblings say.)   As of last Friday night (over a week ago), he started turning the corner.  Though he still was coughing a lot and needing a tiny bit of oxygen for a few more days, he was markedly better only hours after we sent out the call for prayer - praise God!

I (Gavin) left this past Tuesday for a 4-day trip to New Ireland, New Britain, and New Hanover, flying for five different New Tribes Mission families in several places in that large and remote chain of islands.  As always (but more so than normal), I was blown away by the beauty of this country-- and the harsh reality of trying to survive and thrive in it.

Incredible waterfall series near one of the NTM tribes

I keep thinking that I've seen the most brilliant rainbow ever -- then I see another . . .

The incredible reefs between new Ireland and New Hanover

Suited up and ready for ditching . . .  yes, the South Pacific waters are warm, but if I had to land in them, they'd get cool quickly-- thus the flight suit (and other flotation and survival gear).

Glenn and Jeff, the fathers of two families I moved to the bush.  They were all grubby after building 7 loads for the helicopter, which sprayed them with dirt every time I came in for a landing.

That waterfall is coming out of the mountain.  The river goes underground into a sinkhole a few miles away.

There's a small rainbow over New Hanover

Standing with Jon, the NTM missionary and many Mete Kavi speakers.  A New Testament translation was completed there several years ago and now he is involved in discipleship, teaching, and training, seeing fruit in exciting ways!

Dazzling reefs everywhere!

Mt. Ulawun or "The Father", an active volcano.  What a massive thing to fly so close to (on the upwind side).

Carrie left on Friday morning for a few days' break and to escort her parents to Brisbane.  Our Papua New Guinean friends handily looked after the kids during the hours she was gone and until I came back.  Though I'm having fun with the kids, I'm more than looking forward to having my wife back and doing this parenting thing as a team!

Heading to bed.

Gavin