Photography is the only method by which this introvert is able to meet new people and be happy about it.
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A medevac returns none too soon as the very last rays of sunshine settle behind the Alexander Range.Ramsey washes the salt from P2-SAB. The area we operate in is considered a "severe corrosion environment" and washing hte planes regularly is an important part of preventative maintenance.The airplane is tight. Our floatplanes are just big enough to get the job done, and not an inch bigger. It can be tricky business getting a full term mama up and out of the cargo doors but we haven't dropped anyone yet. This was a lady with pregnancy complications that was medevaced out of a Sepik River village and is being transferred to the ambulance.About a third of the Samaritan Aviation medevacs have to do with pregnancy complications. The remote villages of the East Sepik province experience 57 deaths per 1,000 births, significantly higher than the more developed areas of PNG.A twelve year girl gets transferred from a missionary medevac floatplane to a waiting ambulance. The medevac flight cut her travel time from days to hours. She will get care at the only hospital in the Sepik River watershed, approximately a 32,000 square mile area.A patient in the Boram hospital demonstrates a pneumatic machine that exercises his fingers after he suffered a traumatic back injury that left his hands partially paralyzed, hoping to regain some use in his hands. The modern machinery is juxtaposed by the rudimentary furnishings of the local hospital.This woman carries a whole stack of firewood from a rope that is suspended from the top of her head. This is a traditional way for women to carry bags.This is another shot of a woman carrying a "two Kina bag" by nestling the strap in her hair. These are called two Kina bags because you buy them for two Kina in the marketplace.One day I met this guy on my walk around the peninsula. The logical question was, "May I take your picture?" He said yes.An elderly man leaning against a security fence and smoking a cigarette. He was a little bashful about the cigarette at first but after I assured him it was an important photographic element he happily put it back in his mouth.I sat across from this group for several minutes trying to take their photo without them noticing. As soon as people notice you, they act unnatural. I like natural moments but sometimes it takes a little patience to get them.A young Papua New Guinean boy looks over the security fence and watches the world go by.Some kids throw a rugby ball in the surf at sunset, setting up perfectly for this shot.A man wearing a colorful, traditional knitted cap walks past a "super market" in Wewak.A local child paddled over to our family as we were swimming at our local beach. We talked a bit and he soon pushed off again.A detail shot of a handmade, carved seagoing canoe in the traditional style of the Sepik.Janice took this one obviously, otherwise I'd call it a perfect self portrait. Sleeping at the beach on a Remembrance Day, a PNG holiday.Elliot squeezes some lemons giving Janice some raw materials to make everyone's favorite drink.Elliot cleans out, degreases, oils, and organizes a toolbox in the hangar.No carseats are required in PNG which makes photos like this perfectly legal. Quick note: I was not driving. Remember, the driver sits on the right here!Adi and Juliet swing on the hammock.The family takes a stroll along the seawall in Wewak town.Oliver peeks out of the hammock as a sliver of the setting sun lights up the corner of our veranda.Elliot leaps off the jumping tower at Moem Point under the watchful eye of another missionary kid from Samaritan.Juliet empties our bookshelf.Janice and Oliver roll out a batch of homemade noodles.
