KETCHUP - CATCH UP!

Last week we held a gathering for all of the MAF PNG, in-country expat families. “The KETCHUP” was a chance for all expats to gather, get some spiritual input and share in some overdue fellowship.  As our expat colleagues are based in 4 different locations, it is often a long time between visits, so this was a wonderful opportunity to meet the new families and have time to support and encourage each other.

This year has been more stressful than usual (for the whole world!) but COVID, on top of the stress of living cross-culturally in a developing country, meant our expat team really needed some extra support. We are really grateful that our Leadership Team pushed for this event to happen, despite the challenging COVID restrictions, and God provided funding from around the world to pay for everything. Unfortunately, with a global down-turn in donations to charities, MAF could not afford to fund this event internally, but some wonderful people saw the need and provided. We even had enough donations to be able to pay for one dinner at a restaurant for the whole MAF PNG expat family!

We put up a tent on our largest compound in Mt Hagen and shared in some praise & worship then watched an international speaker who had pre-recorded some challenging and uplifting messages for us. After the sessions each morning we enjoy Tea & snacks whilst the kids climbed trees and played together.

The kids enjoyed “Kids’ Club” whilst the adults were in the main sessions. Our Home-School Support Teacher, who only just made it back to PNG and out of quarantine in time to join us, arranged some Bible lessons and craft activities for 3 different age groups. They all had a great time and got to know each other better. They even had a competition to see who could make the best welcome sign. Pictured center, is the winner of the 11+ age group.