After landing in Lae, the group had to hit a roadside market and sample "koolows" (spelling ), which is the milk of the coconut that is not yetripe.   Emily is really getting into it. 

The little jet toucheddown in Lae about 10:30 Saturday morning ending the final flight of the team on their trip to Papua new Guinea.   We have 2 nights in Lae at the Lutheran guest house near the headquarters of the ELC-PNG, and then we push on to Finschhafen by boat.   Unfortunately, we learned that the large Ferry Boat that we had planned to take recently blew an engine,  so we will be making the trip in a 15 ft long speedboat.   That can be a punishing trip in the small boat,  especially if the seas are high and/or it is raining.   The trip has gone phenomenally well up to this point (knock on wood ) and we just keep praying that God will continue to smile on us for another couple of weeks.   I think it really works well to stop over in Australia on the way in.  The team has to adjust to a lot that is new there, but there is still much that is familiar.   It seems to me that it helps us transition out of our comfort zone and helps us come to regard that which is "new" and " other " as something fascinating and unique; something to be explored and appreciated,  not feared.  After a trip to the local food store for supplies,  everyone is resting or napping,  or like me,  updating the blog.  I think it is time for this blogger to grab a nap as well.   More later.   Gary