Off-roading

Last week, Duncan and  I took a short off-road driving course...JAARS offer this for missionaries who are going to places with challenging roads and there are definitely some of those in PNG! There is a 'course' in the forest near the centre, so off we went...

The teacher's tactic was to drive us round the course first and then we each took a turn at having a go. I sat in the back to begin with and was determined to act cool, unsurprised and totally calm about whatever arose! We chatted about life in PNG as we went around - our instructor worked there for a number of years and had lots of great stories to share. As we talked, we experienced some pretty interesting angles. The photographs don't really convey what it felt like, but from the back seat I felt, well... ok I admit it: I was terrified and the thought of driving this road myself was even worse. But I think I looked pretty calm...



Driving in the forest!

Duncan took his turn and was unsurprisingly brilliant. I was up next. The view from the driver's seat was daunting and I am amazed that we stayed upright! But we just kept on chatting and somehow the car performed dazzling feats while I wiggled the steering wheel. I thought I had managed to act cool, but Duncan reported afterwards that more than a few little squeals could be heard in the car!




This bit is called 'the steps'...


I now know that I love 4WD and that it is possible to drive along 'roads' that your head tells you should not be passable. Don't get me wrong - I do not believe that I am now the best off-road driver ever and can tackle anything (although in the euphoria of survival I did wonder that for a moment!). But it did teach me - again - that the way I 'see' is changing.




Ahhhh


After we came home I was VERY excited! I rushed up to a friend and enthusiastically babbled on about our latest adventure. When I calmed down, I realised we could use the experience as a metaphor for what is happening to us here...the whole thing was a like a little picture of what life feels like at the moment. To be honest, the road ahead looks more than a little daunting, but people are telling us stories and sharing their hearts with us so much that we feel like this 'car' will drive...we are going to experience some interesting angles, but our perspective is changing because the concept that God makes the impossible possible isn't just a concept anymore.




How can we ever thank the people at JAARS for all they have taught us?