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Sentani: Our New Home
June 2014
Greetings from Sentani, Papua, Indonesia! Over the last two and a bit months we have been settling into our new home, meeting neighbours, learning our way around town, and getting into the language school routine. We will live here in Sentani for the next 5 months or so, learning the language and culture, before moving to Wamena, our final location.
Learning Indonesian
Monday - Friday we attend an Indonesian language class in the morning with afternoon practice out on our own in the community. The second unit in and we are pretty good at greetings, introducing ourselves, chatting with neighbours, shopping at the market, and getting the taxi.
As expected, learning a language is hard work! But we were quite encouraged recently when on one of our afternoons out for a walk in our community we met Papuans from the island's interior. After learning that Ben is a helicopter pilot and that we will go to live and work in Wamena they told him, "Thank you for coming to Papua!" What an encouragement that was for us!
Visit to Wamena
At the end of unit 1(month 1), we took advantage of the one week break to visit Wamena. We saw our future house, met colleagues, and spent time at the airport. It was great to see the operation and to know that soon we will be a part of the team there.
During the visit Ben was able to join a pilot that was returning home to Switzerland for his final flight. The flight included three medical evacuations from three different villages. Bringing along his trusty GoPro Ben attached it to the front of the helicopter for this incredible video! Just click on the photo below to watch:
Nama Saya Mommy: Anisha's Journal
Throughout our time preparing for and now adjusting to life in Papua, I (Anisha) have been keeping a journal on http://namasayamommy.blogspot.com/. I recently wrote about our puppy being stolen and the miraculous return, our time visiting Wamena and envisioning life there, raising a "third culture kid", and envying my husband's future work. You are invited to stop by and check it out. There is also an option to subscribe and have each post delivered via e-mail.
Thank you for your encouragement, prayers, and support. We couldn't do this without you!
Sincerely,
Ben, Anisha & Isaiah |
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