Well our family has been in country now for about two weeks and I (Greg) still find ourselves adjusting but doing well for the most part. Here is a list of things that seem strange to us but actually should be familiar:
- Driving from the opposite side of the vehicle and road then when we drive a vehicle in Indonesia. Once established here on the road it doesn't seem to be an issue, however when making turns on and off the road I have found myself looking the wrong direction for traffic. And once in a while ending up on the wrong side of the road briefly.
- The handle on the toilet is on the opposite side compared to Indonesia and even functions the opposite direction as well. Many times I find myself searching on the wrong side for the handle and then when I do find it I try and pull it up rather than push down.
- Passing things with only my right hand only. It still feels strange to me to pass someone some thing with my left hand. For in Indonesia the left hand is viewed as being unclean (use your imagination for what they would use one hand for that would make it unclean)and is not used for a lot of things.
- Hearing English all the time and along with that trying not to speak Indonesian with someone that is of Asian descent.
- So far shopping hasn't been as overwhelming as we thought it might be. Switching back from a cash based system back to a card based system has not being without a couple moments of uncertainly and awkward feelings as card use protocol was fogging in my memory. Thankfully I hadn't forgotten that number.
- Our blood is still a bit thin after two weeks, hopefully by the time fall and winter rolls in our blood has thickened up.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our family. We would like to connect with as may as we can during the course of September and October, so please call or email us and let us know when it would work in your schedule to reconnect.
Blessings
the dole clan.
gregjuliefij@gmail.com
403-586-8040 (Greg's Cell)
403-586-8042 (Julie's Cell)
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Sunday, August 2, 2015
A Special Flight
The last Friday right before leaving Indonesia for Canada, Greg was able to do a flight into the village of Bime. What made this flight special was that Isaac, Jaclynn and myself got to go along for the ride. This was supper special as it was our first time into one of the villages that Greg fly's into some what regularly. Franklin choose not to come as he didn't want to get up in time for a six o'clock flight.
We woke up on Friday morning to a light rain with storms around the area but since Greg was scheduled to leave at six in the morning we were able to make it off the ground. I will admit that it was my first time taking a flight that was mostly in the clouds the entire time due to the weather in a small plane. However, it was great to see Greg use his training to safely fly us through the clouds, valleys, and mountains.
One of the great challenges with flying here in Papua is that the weather can change moment by moment and you are not sure what you will find in the next valley. So even though we took off in weather that was not so great, Greg had received reports that the weather in the mountains was good. When we got close the the village, Greg was able to locate a opening in the cloud cover large enough to safely navigate it to the village of Bime.
When we landed the entire village had come out to greet the pilots, passengers, and to watch as well. As we came to a stop Jaclynn became very nervous and was worried because she could not speak the language and the plane was surrounded by adults and lot's of children. I was able to encourage her and remind her that with children it does not matter if they can speak the same language or not for it seems that children can play together without using words.
Due to the weather getting worse back at our base we got delayed in the village for a couple of hours which was perfect for us. This allowed the kids time to visit with the people and really explore their beautiful village. So we were able to give each of the children camera's and let them go explore and video what they found.
When the weather finally cleared back at base and we had climbed into the plane Jaclynn asked when it would work out for her to stay over night. As she loved seeing all the animals, walking along different trails, and all the beautiful crafts. For she wanted time to learn how they did it all as well. Isaac also asked about when he could return as well and loved sitting up front of the plane with his dad for the journey as well.
We woke up on Friday morning to a light rain with storms around the area but since Greg was scheduled to leave at six in the morning we were able to make it off the ground. I will admit that it was my first time taking a flight that was mostly in the clouds the entire time due to the weather in a small plane. However, it was great to see Greg use his training to safely fly us through the clouds, valleys, and mountains.
One of the great challenges with flying here in Papua is that the weather can change moment by moment and you are not sure what you will find in the next valley. So even though we took off in weather that was not so great, Greg had received reports that the weather in the mountains was good. When we got close the the village, Greg was able to locate a opening in the cloud cover large enough to safely navigate it to the village of Bime.
When we landed the entire village had come out to greet the pilots, passengers, and to watch as well. As we came to a stop Jaclynn became very nervous and was worried because she could not speak the language and the plane was surrounded by adults and lot's of children. I was able to encourage her and remind her that with children it does not matter if they can speak the same language or not for it seems that children can play together without using words.
Due to the weather getting worse back at our base we got delayed in the village for a couple of hours which was perfect for us. This allowed the kids time to visit with the people and really explore their beautiful village. So we were able to give each of the children camera's and let them go explore and video what they found.
When the weather finally cleared back at base and we had climbed into the plane Jaclynn asked when it would work out for her to stay over night. As she loved seeing all the animals, walking along different trails, and all the beautiful crafts. For she wanted time to learn how they did it all as well. Isaac also asked about when he could return as well and loved sitting up front of the plane with his dad for the journey as well.
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