One of our missionary families was involved in a car accident on the same day as the earthquake. We had four patients from the accident, including the man in the other vehicle. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt.
We also spent a great deal of time this month organizing our emergency and procedure area. Here are some before and after shots...Casting Supplies:
Surgical Supplies:
I was able to travel with the Chapman’s and Tiedje’s to the NTM guest house in Lae. LeAnna covered for me in the clinic and her prayer was that there would be no medical evacuation while I was away from the center. Her prayer was answered with two medical evacuations within 4 days! Dr. Kevin was exhausted! He had to travel to the island of New Ireland to escort a missionary with lower abdominal pain. She had surgery in Cairns and is doing well. The second patient is with another mission in Goroka and she had symptoms of an intracranial bleed or clot. Her CT scan in Cairns was negative but she was diagnosed with spinal meningitis which is interesting because she did not have a stiff neck or fever.
While the clinic was dealing with these emergencies, I had 5 wonderful days in Lae which is a port city located 175 miles from Goroka. It was a beautiful drive, but it took about 5 hours due to the conditions of the road. We went through two gorgeous valley regions 
– the Markham Valley and the Ramu Valley.
– the Markham Valley and the Ramu Valley. 
You can see on the map how close PNG is to the equator and I certainly felt the strength of the sun in Lae. I was very glad to get back to Lapilo which is located in the highlands and has cooler temperatures and less humidity!
Interesting facts about Lae:
- The second-largest city in PNG and the capital of the Morobe Province
- Established during the gold rush era of the 1920s and 1930s
- Last place where Amelia Earhart was seen in July 1937 as she flew out of the Lae airport on her way back to the USA (There is a small dilapidated memorial beside the road of the former airport site from which she flew. The airport has since been replaced in a different location.)
- Occupied on 8 March 1942 by the Empire of Japan (Lae, Rabaul, and Salamaua became the major Japanese bases in New Guinea. The Allies took control of Lae on 16 September 1943 after many weeks of brutal fighting.)
- Currently known as a shipping hub, for its high rainfall, and for the number of potholes in its roads (It is nicknamed "Pothole City.")
We were able to enjoy shopping in Lae as it is much better than in Goroka and we ate 3 times at some very good restaurants. We also visited the Rainforest Habitation and a war cemetery from WWII.
In addition; it was very nice to relax, play games, and watch a couple of videos by Louie Giglio (“How Great is Our God” which discussed the magnitude of the universe that God created and “Indescribable” which discussed how magnificent yet how minuscule is the human body compared to the infinite galaxies created by our huge God!)
I am not 100% sure I agree with all in the videos, but I do believe all the Bible says. The drive to Lae alone showed so much of the indescribable glory of God through His creation!
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” Psalms 33: 6-9
