January 13, 2000

I had a good time at the Pacific Orientation Course. This was my first time snorkeling, and I loved it. We went to two different places - Jais Aben resort and Nagada Harbor. There was beautiful coral and fish - like swimming at an aquarium or something on TV! Of course it was challenging swimming without using my legs, but that salt water really helps you float! In addition to snorkeling, they also set up some ropes for us and challenged us to swim a mile. I did it, using my arms almost exclusively, but after I was done I could hardly move I was so tired. I felt OK when I was in the water, but then I had to get out.

Every day we had class in Tok Pisin with a national teacher. I learned a few new words and concepts, but overall I was disappointed with how slow it went. From a Tok Pisin perspective my best time was when I set up an extra visit with my teacher's wife at her house and we chatted while she showed me how to do the stitch to make a bilum. We also had a bunch of classes on PNG culture, anthropology, medical issues, stuff like that.

The weather was HOT. We had almost no rain, which was very unusual for this "wet season" time of year.

There were about 80 people at orientation, which is one of the biggest that they've ever had. To fit us all in they had 4 singles to a room. But it could have been worse. I had nice roommates.

We had kitchen prep/clean up duty every once in a while. That was the first time I've made macaroni and cheese for 80 people! And I certainly got better at cutting up fresh fruit - pineapple, papaya,bananas,etc.

We all had to give a 7 minute testimony. It was interesting everyone's stories and the different ways that God brought them here.