We’re safe and sound in our new home here in Papua New Guinea! We have been here for a few days now, adjusting to the time change, climate, and local culture a bit. Thought we would share a bit about our travels here, excuse the length as there is a TON of experience to record here!
Video
Step1 LAX
Our flight left LAX at 11:20pm Pacific time on Saturday, Sep10. The day of our flight was filled with family and farewells in ChinoHills, CA – about an hour from LosAngeles International Airport [LAX]. We had all of our bags packed ahead of time, and really got to enjoy family and friends before our departure.
Qantas Airlines was our service to Brisbane, and the airline personnel at check in were very accomodating of all of our excess baggage. We ended up paying only half of what we expected in overweight and excess baggage fees!
The flight was an overnight, and went smoothly, the 747 landed 12 hours later at 06:15am local time on Monday, Sep12.
Step2 BNE
Our layover in Brisbane International [BNE] lasted a few hours, which we used to browse the Duty Free, brush our teeth, exchange some currency, and snag some Australian Coffee (WIN).
The cleanliness and friendliness stood in sharp contrast to LosAngeles, and watching people driving on the opposite side of the road was a bit disorienting (we’re used to it now, though!).
Step3 POM
Port Moresby International [POM] is where our travels really started to get interesting. Our PacificBlue flight was delayed about an hour and our schedule started looking pretty tight. We were pretty worried about making our last flight to our final destination.
One of the first things you notice walking into the POM terminal is the way the air hangs with humidity. Next, is the excellent way the wet stagnant air conducts the strong scent of body odor. Welcome to the third world.
We had to clear Immigration and Customs in record time in order to make our next flight, and once our bags had been collected, inspected, and X-Rayed, our Mission’s Government Representatives helped get us onto our AirNiugini flight for our final Destination, Wewak.
Step4 WWK
The last leg of our giant leap was (surprisingly) the longest, and (surprisingly) the most stressful of any this far. Thinking we were in the home stretch, and thankful that we made it through customs without hitch and in time for the last flight had us walking on air.
We boarded our flight from POM with about 65 other nationals, and 5 or so other white skins sprinkled in. AirNiugini is a way that many nationals commute between jobs in Moresby and surrounding industrial areas and their homes in the more rural parts of the country. The smell of the airport hung steady in the recycled air in the cabin of the plane, but (surprisingly) you get used to it.
The flight to Wewak [WWK] from POM is usually a 2.5 hour affair that stops about halfway through at the regional airport of Madang. Passengers were let off who lived in the region, and others commuting to Wewak boarded. The plane was refueled and then we sat.
The Flight Attendant then announced over the F100′s intercom that due to technical difficulties, passengers would all have to get off the plane taking all personal items with them.
We grabbed all our carry-on baggage, dragged it into the one-room “airport terminal”, and found seats on one of the wooden benches awaiting further instructions or information from an authority. It never came.
Hours later, we realized how reliant westerners are on some sort of authority to constantly provide information and instruction. We found ourselves fighting frustration that nobody was communicating what was going on with the flight, or what to do with our stuff, or where to get food or drink… High and Dry. It didn’t look like anybody was doing anything. Everyone just sat in wait.
To make the rest of the long story short, We ended up staying at a “resort” in the region, awaiting another plane to finish the flight to WWK.
Tired and frustrated at the lack of communication, we set out alarm for 04:30am so we would be certain to catch the shuttle back to the airport in the morning (nobody knew when it would come, but we did know that the flight would leave between 06:30am and 08:30am).
FINAL DESTINATION
We arrived at our final destination at about 07:45am local time on Tuesday, Sep13. We were greeted at the airport by friends and new family, but were disappointed to find that our bags had been left in Madang.
We were driven to our new home in Wewak (see the green arrow in the map above), only a five minute drive from the airport. We were exhausted from the adventure, but excited to experience this new place. Everyone stares at you with what seems to be a scowl, but a wave or greeting quickly turns into a smile. So many people walking the streets or driving tough looking Toyota HiLux pickups on the “wrong” side of the road reminds us of pictures we have seen of Africa and Haiti.
Welcome to PNG! We hope to see you up here in the Highlands sometime! Be sure to let us know when you are around so we can arrange for you guys to come out and visit! Praying for you both as you adjust to life in PNG!
So tell us…..Did you get your bags eventually?
Evie got some things stolen, but we did get our bags a day later. Apparently, the “airline” was concerned the flight would crash, so they hung on to the stuff so that it wouldn’t go down with the people.
You’re so close to water- I hope you get to lay out all the time! haha just kidding. It’s neat (and overwhelming) to read about your adventure. We are excited for you and miss you guys. Think of you here in Jackson at the BI
In your video, I kept thinking that whoever was driving surely wasn’t paying attention cuz (1) they were in the wrong lane ! and (2) they were holding a video camera! Oh. But wait. Okay, different country, different side. Sigh of relief!
So excited for you guys to be there. So many people talked about you so much on Saturday (“Chris & Evie are leaving today!!”) and prayed for you all weekend. Always look forward to your updates.
Con mucho carino, Sarah
really great to hear about your travels and arrival, excited that you are there!
Chris and Evie
We praise God for your safety and for His mercy and grace as you didn’t ” crash without your bags of course!” Looking forward with excitement to how God will use you both in the many lives that you touch!
Jim and Sharon
Yeah!
So glad to see you guys finally made it. We need to to a PNG to TIBET skype call at some point in the near future…
Can’t wait to see more updates!
Brian & Gennie
So excited you guys made it! Praying for you during the transition! Let me know if you want to take a little trip to India:).
Paige
Yay! Cool video!! So excited for you to actually BE THERE!!!!!! Love you lots! Keep the videos/updates coming.
Yeaa you made it! You guys are just the coolest missinaries with your video. Its great and makes me feel like we are there with you. Praying for you!
You guys are just the coolest missinaries with your video. Its great and makes me feel like we are there with you. Praying for you!
Stoked bro. Love you guys!
Woo Hoo! Congrats you guys. Super excited for you!
Dang that video was so awesome! You made something so boring and tiresome look so cool! Excited for you guys! Looking forward to the next video!
So thankful you got there safely – it is amazing to see your new home! Thanks for sharing with us and we look forward to seeing and hearing more. By the way, Evie loved your choice of music for the video and couldn’t stop dancing the whole time.
Love you two.
I just love your video. Gave me chills…happy chills… just watching it. It was exciting! I am praying for you guys and can’t wait to hear more stories! Blessing, Chris and Evie!
Juli
After almost 25 years it looks, smells and sounds the same. It is incredible. I am so grateful you have begun your adventure and I know you will love getting to know the PNG people. I will have to check your website more often now. Em tasol. Ruthann
Hey precious ones,
Wow! I love how you can share with us along the way. My Grandparents went to Africa at your age and got home once every 10 years or so and could only write letters that were so old when received….There is such a blessing to technology. We don’t have to wonder, we can feel we are almost with you. Our prayers are your companions!
Chris and Evie,
I am so amazed how God has worked everything out for you guys. What a transformation of living standards. My heart is with you guys. We miss you so much already. But we rejoice in adventure to come. It is so great to see all these people loving and supporting you. We are so proud of you guys. We will always be here for you. You are an inspiration to us all.
Love you guys, Johanna and Lane
you guys ROCK! what will power! way to go for getting out there asap! did the bags ever come for you guys! please keep us in the loop as to what’s going on out there! so so so so so happy for you! let Evie know that baby 3 is due in jan and it’s finally a GIRL!
T
we miss you like mad!!!
Chris & Evie,
The update on your trip is awesome, look forward to learn more about your adventure.
Dude driving on the other side of the road is wierd, hope you don’t need to drive to soon.
Did you use Granpa Harpers money belt? Judy’s Baptism was awesome so glad you were able to do it.
We are praying for you guys, God Bless You!
Love Roland, Jill, Adam, Amanda, Austin