December 19, 2007	september and october Volume 2, Number 4
A Travel Memory: The Australian government has always been notorious for how strictly it deals with quarantine issues. Items of special concern include foods, fruits, vegetables, and artifacts. After arriving at the Brisbane airport we were quickly sniffed out by a quarantine dog. We were pulled to the side and asked some direct questions. “Do you have any food in this bag?” “Of course not,” we innocently replied. “Have you recently had any food in your bag?” came the follow up question. “Well, yes,” we had to admit. We had taken a picnic in New Zealand 2 or 3 days before and had carried our food in the bag now in question. “Do you mind,” the agent asked, “if I take a look inside?” Once again our standard reply was, “Of course not,” we said, anxious to prove our innocence. Well, lo and behold, the first zipper the man opened he found not one, not two, not three, not four, but five New Zealand apples. Fortunately we pleaded ignorance, were believed, and were allowed to continue our journey without any major issues. Craig and Jeri Ford P.O. Box 912 Alotau, MBP 211 Papua New Guinea Phone # 011 675 671-7788 011 675 696-0348 E-mail pngfords@gmail.com Prayer Requests: · Fundraising · God will give us clarity and vision in starting some new church programs · Those who are currently studying and considering baptism (Priscilla, Deandra, Rohan). · Every encounter we have around town might be a starting point for Christian discipleship We thank each one of you for your prayers and support. May God Bless You! CHECK IT OUT: Pngfords.blogspot.com A blog detailing the life and times of the PNG Fords. www.championschurch.org. All our previous newsletters have been archived on the Church of Christ in Champions website.	Trip Back to Papua New Guinea: Forty hours. Nine Airports. Four airlines. And our journey home was complete. (Minus one car seat that decided it would join us in Alotau ten days after it went MIA in New Zealand). We did break up our trip back to Alotau with a five day family vacation in New Zealand’s South Island. It was a wonderful transitional period as we prepared emotionally, physically, and spiritually to return to the work here in Alotau. The first picture below is of our family on the way to Millford Sound in New Zealand. The second is the restarunt we ate at above Queenstown, New Zealand. Getting Settled In: We are now settled into our house. We are glad that is now equipped with electricity. When we arrived back from furlough we had to completely unpack our four months worth of baggage along with many of our personal possessions that have been boxed up since March of 2006. After several days of washing, scrubbing, spraying, and carrying, our house was given the green light to be called a home. Our house is pictured below. After arriving and getting settled in I have been in the process of reconnecting with church members and other people I know around town. Lots can change in four months. We were blessed because many people shared encouraging stories of how their faith has been strengthened and how they have been growing in the Lord. Yet, as the Devil continues to work there are some now absent who were previously present. Others continue to struggle with various sin issues. We are working with a wonderful team who has kept up with so many and encouraged them. Houston: Our time with the Church of Christ in Champions (our overseeing congregation in Houston, Texas) was extemely relaxing and encouraging. Champions has always done very well making decisions with the best interest for our wellbeing and the benefit of our work. Furlough was not any different. The duration of our time was relaxing except for the ‘close call’ we experienced with Caleb’s visa. Several weeks before our return we learned that the necessary documentation for us to obtain Caleb’s visa had been lost. Thus we were several months behind the required application time. The folks in New Guinea were able to expedite our application and it arrived on the Saturday a day before our Sunday departure. Thank you to each of you who offered frequent and fervent prayer. It was a wonderful testimony to the power of prayer. Looking Ahead: After our time away we have been able to come up with some direction, vision, and clarity for where the work needs to head in the next couple of years. I am personally excited about trying to introduce some new programs that might allow us to develop more relationships with non-Christians. Furthermore, I am eager to continue the weekly studies with the Christians here. Please bathe these important decisions in prayer. Hannah holds the first produce from the garden at our house – a massive pumpkin. Family Perspective, written by Jeri: Home sweet home. It was a wonderful time away, but it is so good to be back in our home. We are adjusting to having our own new house and have agreed that it is an incredible blessing to finally be settled. Hannah was really looking forward to getting back to “Papua Guinea” (as she calls it). When we got here, she was not convinced it was actually PNG until she saw some of her friends. She picked up right where she left off. Just as she did on furlough, she asks to go to Bible class almost daily. This past Sunday when it was time to leave church services she said, “I want to stay here.” So I think that she has no major adjustments to make and loves the time with her new old friends. She talks often of her Grandparents and cousins though and has fond memories of her time with them. We are working on potty training now, and Hannah is doing a great job. (We’ll be thrilled to only have one baby in cloth diapers!) Caleb is adjusting to his new home. He was a very content baby while we were in the States, but has been a little fussy since we have been here. We keep attributing it to all of the changes – climate, diet, etc. It’s hard to say what the problem is. But he definitely offers a smile to nearly anyone and is especially happy if I am around. Craig has said from the beginning that he is a “mama’s boy”. (Nothing wrong with that!!) He is also delighted when his big sister talks to him. He is so close to giggling a real giggle! Caleb is growing very quickly and everyone comments on how chubby he is. We are so thankful for our healthy children. We are getting settled and into a routine. God has blessed us in our many transitions. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers!