June 2011 Update - Gail's Greetings

My PNG Home…
May 28th I arrived in Papua New Guinea after 11 months of home assignment. I loved being in the US with my family, friends and churches, but I also loved “coming home” to the family that the Lord has given me here in PNG.

I made it in time to be involved with 6th Grade Promotion. This group of students were my students in grades 3, 4, and 5. They are very dear to my heart and I was so happy to share their special day.

Then the next day was our high school graduation. It is a huge celebration here. More work goes into NCA’s grad than into most weddings. This is the final good-bye these students have before they head back to their home countries. I had the privilege of teaching these students when they were 6th graders and have watched them grow up into young adults. Such a joy it is to see them following the Lord and seeking Him for guidance.

Graduation evening is a time that we say goodbye to not only the seniors but those going on home assignment. I was able to spend time with some dear friends, many of whom will be in the US for the summer or for the next year.

What’s Next…
Now that graduation is over and many people have left, what do I do? I will be getting ready for the next school year. School begins July 28th and we hope to have a bunch of new teachers. Over the next few weeks I will be setting up my house, preparing my classroom, setting up some of the new peoples’ houses, working on our school accreditation tasks and visiting with those that are left here at Lapilo. I am looking forward to being back in the classroom. It has been a year without teaching and I am ready to teach again! Setting up my house is always fun. I love to organize things and I have plenty to sort though. Then there is the job of setting up some of the new teachers’ houses and praying for their arrival. There is work to be done at school for our accreditation so I will help with that and finally… I will hopefully be an encouragement to those that are still here at Lapilo over the long break.

Hannah Update…
I recently read that Hannah’s blood counts are improving and if she continues, there is a chance that she will be able to move back home at the end of June. Hannah’s body has switched to her sister’s blood type, which is a sign that the transplant is working. It has been hard on the D’Arcy family to be apart all this time, so please pray that Hannah will be well enough to be away from the hospital so that she and her mom can return home.

Praise and Prayer Points…
• Praise that I had a safe trip back to PNG and had a wonderful time reconnecting with friends.
• Pray that Hannah may return home at the end of the month.
• Pray for the new teachers that will be coming to PNG next month - for their visas and the goodbyes that have to be said.

NCA Graduation

Graduation at Numonohi Christian Academy (NCA) is a whole evening of celebration. We take pictures before, during, and after Grad. Here is my dear friend Joanie. Her son Cooper is one of the 11 graduates this year.

I got a picture taken with the graduate himself, but it was taken by the graduation photographers and I don't have it yet. Jacqueline and Hayley are Cooper's sisters (Jacqueline flew back for his graduation this year). So good to see the whole family.
Here is a blurry pic of Cooper and his friend Joash walking in. Cooper is on the right. I taught both these guys in 6th grade.

Here are the stage and the graduates. They all sat on comfy couches during the ceremony.

And the graduating class of 2011!!

After graduation we take more pictures of good friends. Here is my friend Carmen and me.

We especially like to take pictures of our dear friends that are leaving for home assignment. Here I am with my "nieces" Rachel and Emily. Sure going to miss these girls!

And finally some of my girlfriends. It was fun to be together at graduation and to celebrate our students. Too bad we couldn't all look in the same direction at the same time.

6th Grade Promotion

I got back to PNG in time to celebrate with some of my former students. These 6th graders were my students for 3 years - grades 3, 4, and 5. It was fun to hear some of them share their testimonies. They are truly growing up!

The 6th graders had a special reception after the promotion ceremony.

I taught all except the girl in the orange dress, though I have know that girl since she was 4. So I felt pretty close to all of these lovely kids.
After the reception I was able to join them for a trip to town. We went in for lunch and some fun and games... Here they are jumping rope.

There was lots of swimming and even an opportunity to throw their 6th grade teacher into the pool. So glad it was him and not me.