Pacific Odyssey - Leg 4

We are anchored out in the middle of the ocean with small islands all
around us; it=B9s very private and there=B9s a bit of a swell, just so we don=B9t
forget what=B9s coming to us in leg 5.  It=B9s been a very full day.  The
Christmas tree hunt was successful and we are now the proud owners of a
betelnut palm Christmas tree.  Finding this tree took our team about 6
hours; they walked miles talking to various people who tried to help, mostl=
y
in the form of sending them along to someone else.  Several times a boat
ride to one of the neighboring islands was promised but after a wait of an
hour, plans would change.  Finally the hunters walked to the wharf and aske=
d
two local fellows if they would take them to an island to find a tree and
they agreed.  They were paid for their trouble and the village from where
the tree was cut, also received some money.  The tree hung over the side of
the Grace in salt water for de-bugging and now stands decorated amidships o=
n
the port side.  Caley and Antony returned to Madang at about 1830 hrs, both
of them very happy to be back home; Simon ran to Caley and hugged her.  As =
a
group we decided to leave in the morning for a quiet spot somewhat closer
than Bagabag Island, near the Pig Islands.  We held a Sunday service after
dishes, lighting the fourth candle of Advent.  This morning Thomas and the =
3
Anderson boys were up at 0630 opening coconuts and getting the meat out to
be grated for the covering of the rum balls.   After a slightly later and
wonderful brunch, Jordan did a final check with the shipping agent for mail
and then we left.  Susan wore her Christmas socks and it started to feel a
bit more like Christmas.  Naomi and Sarah B. decorated the ship with green
and red ribbon tied around the wheel, the stanchions and the lifelines.
People are commenting just how strange it feels to be celebrating Christmas
in such intense heat and sweat. I know that all of us find it somewhat
difficult to be away from home at this time of year, but yet we are excited
to have the chance to celebrate the day in a completely different manner an=
d
setting.   Yesterday we played Stuart McLeans=B9 =B3Dave Cooks the Turkey=B2 out
loud through Elske=B9s ipod.    People loved it so much we ended up listening
to all of his stories; it created a wonderful atmosphere, something
familiar.  Thomas has been learning how to play the guitar and is practicin=
g
for the talent show tonight.  He is well backed with Jose=B9s guitar and
voice.   Once we were anchored Jordan and Tavish and their team of
volunteers, began cooking a feast for the evening meal while trainees had a
chance to swim, snorkel on a nearby reef, read, play SCRABBLE, and finish
off presents.  There was beautiful coral at the reef.  One in particular
looked like a group of very large barnacles that were draped in soft, thick
green upholstery velvet.  When you came up close and moved your hand over
it, millions of little tentacles, making up the =8Cvelvet=B9 swayed in the
current; stunning. It feels very good to be anchored again, and the sense
that this leg is ending has disappeared somewhat; for now we are still one
group living together on the Pacific Grace.  We lowered the dugout into the
water and tried it out.  It leaks less than it did but Matt and Brooks stil=
l
managed to swamp it somehow; it could have been a wave, though there=B9s
minimal wind.  The clouds moved in, in the afternoon and made it somewhat
cooler, about 38 degrees Celsius rather than 45!   Supper was incredible:
fresh buns (thanks to Skipper and Chase), cream of carrot soup, steak,
twice-baked potatoes, fried tomato slices with cheese, and broccoli.   At
2030 hrs everyone mustered amidships for a talent show.  I think it was
probably one of the better talent shows we=B9ve had. Kelly, Sara R., Thomas,
Tristan, Sam, Jose, Caley, Karen, Sarah B., Katie, Gillian, Sean, Noah,
Brooks, Matt, Susan, Julie, and Antony all took part.  A lot of it was
musical.  There was a small break in between for relaxing and joining in a
game of Christmas Trivial Pursuit, and at 2330 hrs we gathered again for a
midnight service.   Karen and Gillian had made copies of the words for 16
carols and we sang all of them.    Sarah B. read the Christmas story out of
Walter Wangerin Jr. =8Cs  =B3The Book of God.=B2  The final candle of Advent, the
Christ candle, was lit.   It was early in the morning before everyone went
to sleep on deck.  Karen and Sarah B. stayed up even longer filling
stockings and hanging them up in the rigging.    Yes, it=B9s been a very full
day and one filled with so many mixed feelings; excitement and anticipation
to celebrate Christmas together on the Grace, and thoughts of home and
what=B9s happening there.   I am even more grateful for this =8Cfamily=B9 of ours=
,
at times like this, it=B9s good to be able to lean on each other.  Until
tomorrow, good night, Bonice.