We're in the second term of my second school year here in Ukarumpa. I'm teaching music at the primary school to 1st - 6th graders and private piano, violin, and cello lessons. I will also be forming special recorder and string groups to perform around Christmas time. The kids are so fun - they run up and give me hugs every day and say "Thank you for teaching me."

My knee has been doing better the last few weeks, so I am encouraged. Thank you to all of you who have prayed for healing for me - there is still a long way to go. I meet with my physical therapist named Loverna once a week, so you could pray that she will have wisdom in knowing how to guide me in strengthening it.

I am living alone for a little while, but I am still in the nice house that I have been living in for my whole time here. My housemate Christiane will be housesitting and traveling until early February. I may get a short term roommate or two during that time. In a few weeks a girl comes from Finland and stays for a month.

Every support worker here is encouraged to become the support team for a bible translation family. I am the support team for Henry and Ginny Whitney and family. When they are out in the village, I talk with them on the radio. If there is a flight to their area, I go shopping for them and send out supplies. And of course I pray for them. I am hoping to visit them in the village for a few weeks during the December/January school break if the flights work out. Their village is only accessible by helicopter or a 9 hour hike from the airstrip (my knee firmly objects to that :-)

My last bit of news is that I have a boyfriend. David Liming and I have been seeing each other for a few months now. He is from Illinois and teaches Science at the High School. Like me, he is here as a Specified Term Member for a few years. Also like me, he doesn't know what he will be doing after his time here. Pray for us as we get to know each other better and consider the future.

Now that I have caught you all up on my life, I am planning to send out emails more often - like every month or two, including updates and stories. If you would rather not be on the list, you can let me know by replying with a blank email. If you want more details about what I am doing and about the work of Bible Translation in PNG, write and I'll try to answer all of your questions.