Papua Morning

The sun is up at 5am which wakes the roosters which wake the neighborhood. By 6am there is usually a knock at the door with a small voice calling, "Isaiah!" The boys are ready to play. The construction equipment starts running soon after and the men outside resume building the houses across the way. I am still trying to clear the cobwebs from my head. My only thought is for the strong coffee that I know is waiting for me when I get to language class.

The three of us walk down the red dirt road that tends to flood in the rain, dodging puddles and mud. "Selamat pagi" and smiles to the children walking to school and the adults heading out to work. The sun is already warm, but the air is still cool. Our mountain a faithful, awe inspiring presence.

At the main road we scan the traffic for a taksi, motioning for a pickup when we see one. "Ke Lapangan Theis?" we ask the driver. Climbing in, greeting our fellow passengers, and we are off. A new day, guaranteed to bring us both great joy and fresh challenges, begins in this beautiful country.