To the Highlands

After a few days in tropical Madang, we cooled off in the Highlands in Ukarumpa. We had beautiful sunny days and cool nights. What a great feeling to be cold again! Here’s Elissa with Karlyn and Noah, on a Sunday afternoon stroll through Uka.


We caught up with Richard and Laura Sommer and family and visited Yonki Lake, which is where they hope to move within the next year and begin a home for children orphaned because of AIDS. It will be the first of its kind in PNG. What a beautiful spot they have there. Here are the beginning stages of their new home…there's a gorgeous lakeside view behind us!

Jonathan and Noah were ready to finish the house off!

This journey the Sommer’s have begun promises to be both exciting and challenging, and we praise the Lord with them for the way that He has been opening doors and confirming their decision to begin this project. The AIDS epidemic here is only growing. More and more children are left without parents because of it, and the traditional system of extended family members caring for these orphans is breaking down. Many parents are stretched thin to provide for their own children, let alone take in any others. There is also, of course, a huge stigma attached to AIDS, as well as many misconceptions, causing the orphans and others affected with the virus to be ostracized. May the Lord bless the Sommer's work so that they can be a blessing to the children who come to their home.

Relaxing on the shores of Yonki Lake...