July Update 2026
After two weeks in Australia, we arrived back in PNG on the 30th of June. The two girls are well travelled now but it is fair to say Matthew is getting to the ‘fun’ age where it is very challenging for him to stay in the same square metre for 4 hours. It was definitely an interesting flight but we managed and arrived safely in the late afternoon to some nice warm weather.
It was pretty much straight back into working on our new house the next day. Johan worked a week or so by himself before friends from Australia (Devon and Chase) came to help. This was a very productive week where we able to get a few crucial things finished and be a huge step closer to moving in. The kids enjoying seeing their Uncle Dev and we are very grateful to him and Chase (and their families in Aus) for giving up a week to come help. It was truly appreciated.
We seem to be making great use of the medical system here in PNG with Matthew the next to fall victim to an injury. He had quite literally just come back from a follow up appointment to a recurring ear infection, walked across to see his dad at the house build, and cut his foot very badly on something (although we’re still not sure what). Uncle Devon was the first to him and as Matthew was only whimpering, he didn’t see the injury. Once we noticed the blood, we quickly realised it was pretty bad and Evelyn took him to the Emergency Department. They surgeon was just clocking off for the day, so they cleaned and wrapped it and sent him home again to come back first thing the next morning. Although he did chip a bone it seems the cut missed the major tendon and it shouldn’t leave any lasting damage. We won’t show you the original cut but below you’ll see a picture of him after the surgery. It’s fair to say the doctor did a great job - Matthew needed 11 stitches! Thankfully he healed quickly and has since had them removed. We’re grateful for God’s gracious care over the healing process.
Ada and Phoebe are doing well overall. Although fighting infection here and there seems to be part of life in PNG, they are healthy and well, which we are thankful for. Ada is still enjoying homeschooling, and her reading is coming along well. Although they tend to still play with the other expat kids at the college, they do have regular nationals they can interact with. We are hoping that when we move into the other house there will be more of a ‘settled’ feeling and we can make the place our own home. We will also be right next to the front gate so there will be plenty of foot traffic and people to interact with when we move in!
On the 28th July, Johan went to Lae by himself for a week. It was a bit of a challenge for him to switch from house mode to school mode but it was also a good chance to have a break from the house. It’s always a bit of an overwhelming experiencing for him to go to Lae by himself. Rev. Pol and Rev. de Jonge and their families are all in Canada so Johan is ‘all by himself’ on that side of the country. There’s also a balance of trying to make the most of the time on that side and trying to cram everything in. Johan landed on Tuesday and met up with Pastor Tony who is chairman of the school board in the village school. They did some shopping for some sturdy weatherproof cupboards and also bought all the materials needed for a pig fence around the new garden they hope to build for the village school.
We recently did some fundraising in WA for these projects which was very successful. Below left is a picture of all the things we managed to fit in the Troopy and drive 3 hours into the village. In case you’ve forgotten it’s about a 1 ¼ hour drive from Lae to the start of a bush track where it’s another 1 ¾ hour along this track, crossing a few rivers and driving along the side of mountains before getting to the village. Below is a photo of the plot of land that they hope to build the garden on. The proceeds from the garden will go back into the school. It’s hard to capture in a picture but its fair to say that this garden will have some amazing views. The cupboards will help protect the books and curriculum from mould, bugs and the PNG rainy season.
A big thanks again to those who contributed to it. It has a huge impact on the lives of the communities here. We hope to send some more pictures of the projects after they are finished. As mentioned, we were very successful with the fundraising so we hope to also use the funds to extend the classroom and build a canteen where the proceeds from this will also be put back into the school. A big step towards self-sustainability!
Also in Lae, Johan was able to visit a lawyer to address the ongoing land title issues we have with our school in Lae, Living Water Christian School. This was a very beneficial visit and gave some clear steps we can take to hopefully finally sort this out. The land was originally purchased in 2012 and it has been a challenge to get things sorted. The law is changing that completely forbids the selling or buying of customary land (even a Papua New Guinean can’t sell to another Papua New Guinean – only leases are allowed) but we’re hoping as this process started before this law, that we can still get a land title. Once the land title issue is resolved, we can have the confidence to expand and grow the school without the worry of it being sold from under us.
Thanks again for your ongoing love and support.
Johan, Evelyn and the kids
Prayer Points:
Thankful – the easy access to the medical system we have here in PNG and that Matthew could get the help he needed.
Thankful – Evelyn’s pregnancy continues to go well.
Request – Matthew’s foot may continue to heal well and be free from complications or infection
Request – the land title issues in Lae may be resolved soon
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