by Lori Urton
- I’ve seen the tears on my daughter’s face as we’ve said goodbye.
- I’ve been told by family that I’m depriving my children by taking them to PNG.
- I’ve been asked by friends why we can’t work in the states since there is plenty of work there.
- I’ve heard the tone of my son’s voice asking when we are going to be in Ukarumpa again.
- I’ve seen the look in my mother’s eyes wondering if she will ever see me again.
- I’ve had rats in my house, mosquitoes in my toilet, and spiders in my shower house.
- I’ve given pain medicine and patched sores.
- I’ve had to learn how to make bread and not have fresh meat or cold water for weeks.
- I’ve had the surprise of a letter or a care package from the states.
- I’ve had malaria, amoebas, headaches, chills, diarrhea, colds, and fevers.
- I’ve eaten things, smelled things, seen things and experienced things that most people will never get to experience.
- I’ve been so homesick I almost couldn’t breathe.
- I’ve been separated from family during the time of attacks in the states on Sept. 11, 2001.
- I’ve seen a new born baby two days old grow into a busy toddler.
- I’ve seen the smile on a child’s face when I’ve given him a cookie.
- I’ve seen the excitement in a young girl’s eyes after I’ve given her soap or salt after having carried water up the mountain for us.
- I’ve seen the excitement in the Sob people’s eyes as we came for the first time.
- I’ve heard their prayers thanking God for sending someone to them and being overwhelmed that it was my family.
- I’ve seen the worried look on their faces when we leave the village.
- I’ve seen their excitement when we return.
- I’ve seen them embrace Ryne and smother him with their excitement.
- I’ve seen the excitement in their faces when I’ve said a Sob word properly.
- I’ve seen the look of disappointment when I don’t try to talk in Sob.
- I’ve seen the look on an old man’s face when he looks at his language on paper for the first time and reads it.
I’ve experienced the bad and the good.
The good far out weighs the bad.
Is it worth it? Do you need to ask?