My friend Jethro is off to Germany !

(The above photo of Jethro and his wife Hanneh was taken this morning just outside the campus main gate)

Jethro is off to Germany 1st thing tomorrow morning with a contingent from the local Lutheran church. Jethro is Lutheran church elder in his village of Wagang-Luhu which I have now visited on three seperate occasions. I have become good friends with Jethro and his family.

When Jethro gets on that balus early tomorrow morning – this will be his 1st time outside of PNG and also his very 1st time in an aeroplane (balus). He will be away for six weeks all up and whilst in Germany he will be hosted by the local German Lutheran community in Bavaria. No need to say that he is very excited. My heart goes out to Jethro and I share the excitement of his adventure.

When I spoke with Jethro this morning he told me that he has left instructions with some of the men in Wagang-Luhu to start building that “hut” on the beach. I have been invited to go back to his village during the upcoming mid semester holidays. We have come up with this idea that when I next visit the village I will spend some time with the young people from the village and speak with them about some of the challenges and troubles facing youth in these modern times – such as drugs, AIDS and crime. I am certainly looking forward to the experience of interaction and sharing.

Regarding the stay in a hut on the beach for a week… Anyone one want to join me ?