Village Scenes & Reunions

The last stretch of road into Sarmai Atas, where the Mays used to live.

Crossing the creek to visit their village father, Pak Lambert.

Greeting a village sister. It was an emotional occasion.

Kevin showing family photos to Pak Lambert, who can no longer walk. Everyone kept asking if Phil was the Mays' son Philip who grew up in the village along with his brother David.

Lambert sent his grandson up a tree with a machete to get some fresh coconut water.


This old friend was delighted with her loaf of bread. Wendy used to make bread in the village, so when she came back, the locals were asking for some!


In the middle is Pak Musa, former neighbour and translator. On the right is his son Keven, now 31, named after Kevin May.

A couple of banana tree trunks strapped together make a good raft.

Sarmai Atas is famous for its freshwater springs.
Pak Lewi the head church elder, effectively the senior minister.

Uh oh, termites. A family still lives in this traditional style house, which uses sago palm frond stems for the wall panels.

In better shape. Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psalm 127.1 We're trusting that the Lord will be at work as translation starts up again in the Nimboran language.