Langda Visit: Part 2: Arrival Day

Arriving in Langda

View of the plane and our welcoming party

It is a beautiful place

J really wanted to help carry something

He's pretty strong for a 2-year-old!

As this was the first time for K to return to Langda,
since becoming a pilot and returning to this island to serve, there were many people to welcome us.

Transferring gasoline we brought for the generator
(the only source of electricity in Langda, aside from solar power)

B with our friend.  He was attending school on the island
where we did language school over a year ago.  We provided him with work
and he kept up our yard and played with the boys (when they were 1 and 3).
 It was fun to see him in his village home and have the boys be familiar with him.

J's our social boy.
The crowd of people watching his every move didn't phase him. 

K with a friend from his childhood

It was a little sunny :)

Loading the plane with vegetables and fruit from the village,
to be sent to the local kids in town, who are attending school.

An airplane arriving in the village is a BIG deal.
For those who have never been out of the village, this is the only vehicle they have ever seen!

The pilot who flew us in was loaded
and ready to go back to town about an hour after we arrived.

Getting ready to take-off

After the plane left, there was a short welcoming ceremony for us.
Here is the local pastor giving a short devotional.

They had brought a bench out for us to sit on.

The people all sat/squatted on the ground behind us.

After a prayer time for us, they asked us to stand up front.

These men then came up to give speeches and present us with gifts.
It was a very humbling experience.

K and his dad were given traditional stone axes.
K's mom and I were given traditional string bags (nokens).

B and J getting their gifts.
They both did well patiently and respectfully accepting the gifts.

B was given a feather headdress.

J was given a shell necklace.

After the gifts, the people all lined up to shake our hands.
What a blessing to be welcomed like family!

I was struck by how the dedication and obedience of K's family to serve the Una people
was now bringing great blessings on the next generation(s) of our family.

After the ceremony, everyone picked up our luggage and walked with us to the house.

We had arrived in Langda!