Now in Sydney

Just to update you, I'm in an Internet cafe in Sydney. The flight from LA went well but now Delta has misplaced another bag. They say it should be no problem to get it to PNG with me tomorrow. We'll see.

I emailed a missionary here in Sydney who recommended a good church and good activities for the day, so I'll take a look around. It is winter here ... okay not like a Michigan winter, but I may have to buy a sweatshirt somewhere (mine is in the missing bag!).

I talked with a retired pastor on the plane for quite a while. It was very encouraging.

So, given the delay, I think I'm doing pretty well. As long as I can stay away until a reasonable bed time tonight, the time change should go pretty well I hope. Then another day of travel and we begin class on Tuesday morning.

Thanks for your interest and prayer! -- John

Anyone for Los Angeles?

Unfortunately I have been given some time in Los Angeles. There was confusion by the staff in Grand Rapids about a possible delay with my original flight, so they put me on a flight from Grand Rapids to Detroit and then Detroit to LA. And that flight was delayed and I missed my flight to Sydney. And the kicker is that my flight from Sydney up to PNG only goes every other day, putting me in Goroka on Monday evening instead on Saturday evening, and thus *after* the first day of class.

So there are some things to be thankful for:
* Thankfully the delays weren't weather related, so the airline paid for a hotel room here in LA and a whole $6 for each meal today!
* I was able to be in touch via email and then to talk via Skype with my contact in Goroka last night. That was *very* helpful and encouraging.
* It looks like I may be able to get on a Qantas flight up to Port Moresby, PNG by Sunday noon, and it actually appears that I can still get to Goroka by Sunday evening.

All in all, it seems like things are going amazingly well. I have to make some calls today and then get to the airport early today in order to work out details.

The first step in the adventure! I pray that I and my luggage will be able to make it to Goroka by Sunday evening so I can begin class in one piece on Monday.

Thanks for your concern and prayer!

-- John

Preparations continue...

I'm now just one day away from leaving for Papua New Guinea. I feel like I'm pretty close to being ready in terms of the course. The bigger push is to finish up things that need to be done here before I leave. But I think I'll get some sleep and be ready to leave tomorrow!

Here are some details for my travel:
* I leave on Thursday (7/29) at 5:30pm from Grand Rapids, and arrive in Goroka, PNG on Saturday (7/31) at 4:40pm. (Goroka is 14 hours ahead of Michigan time.)
* I leave Goroka on Sunday (8/15) and spend 2 nights in Sydney, Austrailia, arriving back in Grand Rapids at 9:45pm on Tuesday (8/17).

I am very thankful that people's contributions for this trip are sufficient to cover my expenses as well as help students with expenses and even provide them with Bibles to take back to their churches! Thank you! My hope has been that the class would have significant practical value for my students, not just a way to get credit. I'm so thankful that you have helped me down this road already!

Would you pray...
* For wisdom as I finalize my preparations for the class and begin this coming Monday morning!
* For strength and perseverance in taking care of responsibilities here that need to be finished before doing to PNG.
* For my family as they continue with the adventures of life here in Michigan while I'm gone.

Thank you! -- John