Last month I had the privilege to meet a special old man from Kudjip. I was sitting out in Becky’s carport one Saturday afternoon, which is quite normal when she is inside her house. Becky had told him that he and I must stori (sit down and talk) sometime. She also had informed me about him. As I was sitting there, this short old man walked up and asked if we would like to buy any asparagus. I had no idea this was Papa Wapi. He was a work boy for the Australian Defence Force during WW2. He served in different areas of PNG, including the Western Highlands during the war. He was only roughly eleven at the time. Also he was an ambulance driver for Kudjip Hospital in the 70′s and 80′s (I think I have my dates right). But beside that he has been growing and selling asparagus for over fifty years. Which is sold at Mt Hagen market, to different missionaries and even down on the coast. I think it is the best produce of asparagus I have ever seen. It was sometimes hard to understand his tok pisin, but we had a good time storytelling together. He is a sweet old man, with a funny laugh, but the thing that struke me the most about him. Was his joy and living hope in Jesus, which was a real encouragement to me. Afterwards I asked him if I could get a photo taken with him, he was more than happy and he made sure we posed with his asparagus. He also wanted to have a photo with Becky taken, even though she was in her scrubs, being on call that day. I look forward to seeing Papa Wapi again sometime to stori more with him, if not in eternity.
1. Papa Wapi & I
Click here to see Becky & Papa Wapi
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Last week both Becky and I were able to confirm our leave dates for our wedding. Since our engagement God continues to lead us, bring things together and provide for us in big ways. Everything seems to be falling into place each day and feels like we have accomplished a lot already. We are really grateful for the support and prayers from many people during this exciting time. We are planning to have our ceremony and reception here in PNG, followed by receptions in Oregon and Sydney (& attend my Sister’s wedding) after our honeymoon. To celebrate the countdown I have setup a countdown timer in the sidebar until our special day on the 22nd of October. Thankyou for all your support.
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Since I left Oregon back in the start of February, I knew that Becky was the one. Over our two months long distance stint of our relationship, our relationship grew a lot more than I expected. Before and after her return I was praying about marriage. After her return I knew that we needed time to continue to grow in our relationship, especially as we serve in different ministries and locations. Over our three months together courting in PNG, our relationship continued to grow. In the last month or so before heading to Cairns, we both were ready for the next step and things started to come together. Especially knowing that Becky was God’s provision of a wife and knowing that the time was right.
1. Becky & I before going out
Originally I wanted to propose in PNG on the coast, but it really was not possible without a ring and I didn’t want to do it at the MAF conference. I tried to get a ring made from PNG gold, but in the end that didn’t work out either. I knew that Cairns would be the right place to propose to her. Last Monday evening we arrived into Cairns to meet up with my family. Tuesday I was able to buy a ring and take Becky out on a date. We went to a seafood restaurant on the waterfront, ate a fantastic meal, walked on the Esplanade, ate ice cream and then we drove north to Ellis Beach outside of Cairns. There we went star gazing and I proposed to Becky. It was so special to tell her how I felt about her for the first time without holding anything back and looking back over all that God has done in our lives. She gladly accepted and we both sat there in awe of God’s goodness to us.
2. At Pesci’s seafood restaurant on the waterfront – seafood linguine meal
It was a very special evening and one we will always remember. It was a special day on Wednesday too, as we celebrated our engagement and informed our family and friends in two different time zones. Also being able to celebrate it with my parents. We are very grateful for God’s provision in one another and His work in our lives. We are also thankful for the provision of time together in Cairns. We look forward to what God has for us in our life together. Please continue to pray for us as we consider and make many decisions.
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