[Sanford News] update
Hello everyone!
I thought I'd send out a little update on how things are going for us as we have begun our big move into the tribe.
On May 15th, Lane, Chris and Jonathan left to drive our boat around to Kokopo, our future supply town. Shortly after leaving they realized they were way low on fuel and discovered someone had stolen fuel. So after some very hairy and funny adventures they were able to find fuel and finally arrived in Kokopo 18 hrs. later. They spent several days organizing details for the shipping of all of our lumber over to our village and preparing various things. A week later, May 22nd, they, along with our builder Stephen, drove the 1 ½ hr. trip to our village to begin preparation of initial housebuilding. Several barges arrived the next day and all of our lumber was unloaded. The guys were able to set up the radio so we have had some contact with them which has been nice.
While the men have been gone, Melissa and I have been out here at Hoskins tying up loose ends, getting our houses all cleaned, doing last minute packing, and taking care of our 7 children! We are actually having a great time together, the kids have done very well and time has flown by.
Lane and Jonathan went back out to Kokopo Saturday May 26th to pick up the first 3 guys arriving from our building team along with Jonathan’s brother. The team arrived safely and on time, but their luggage was stuck back in
Lane was able to call me from Kokopo so it was great to hear his voice. The guys are very encouraged with the way things are coming along already. He said the village people have been so friendly and helpful to the guys and that they are having a great time. They’ve already been able to get the posts, bearers and floor joists up on our house (whatever those are!) and are ready to start laying the flooring down probably tomorrow. I can tell Lane is giddy to get me and the boys out there to get to see our future home and to finally meet the Siar people. Melissa and I are of course very very excited as well. We will fly out to Kokopo May 31st, the guys will meet us and we will all travel over June 1st. The rest of our building team arrives June 5th. The guys (Lane, Chris and Jonathan) all shaved their heads and facial hair the night before they left and decided they wouldn’t shave or cut their hair til Chris leaves at the end of July. He said they’re already looking shaggy – yikes!
It is so exciting for us to actually be starting this whole process. We have heard from so many missionaries how much of a nightmare it can be and we are so thankful that we have been able to enjoy these beginning stages. We know there will probably be glitches and hardships around the corner, but it has been SO neat to see the way the Lord has worked out so many details for us as only He can! He has provided for us in so many ways, we truly feel like we are just holding on, watching Him move us into this new work!! We are very thankful that we feel rested, encouraged and excited rather than stressed out before we’ve even really started. Thank you so much for your prayers for us during this time of transition.
Please Pray:
-for smooth seas and safety for all the travel back and forth on the boat
-for safety for the men during housebuilding
-for continued good relationships with the Siar people
-for a smooth transition to village life for all of our kids (and us wives too J)
-for Erin and Ethan in CA as they’re separated from Chris
Praise:
-for the arrival of the team’s luggage (goodies from Grammy and less important things like tools for housebuilding J) and their safety in travel
-good weather for boat travel and for house building
-for all the amazing help we’ve received from our support center here
-that Erin has received a good report with her pregnancy and that she and Ethan are adjusting well to life in the
-for the Burns, who have kindly and graciously offered to come help cook for our building teams (at one point there will be 30 people!)
-that Melissa and I are doing very well here with all our crazy fun kids J
Thanks again for your love, prayers, and for all you do for us. We truly feel like you are all a part of what God’s doing here and just wish you could watch it along with us. Once we leave here (the 31st) we wont have e-mail access for awhile so feel free to drop me an e-mail these next 3 days! We miss you! We’ll try to keep you posted as much as possible.
Love and big hugs,
Karrie and the boys
New Tribes
email: lane_sanford@ntm.org
web: www.lksanford.blogspot.com
posted by Lane & Karrie Sanford @ 6:31 AM
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