Culture...

In a few of the villages that I fly to, I'm always initially approached by the women of the tribe as I get out of the airplane. Most of them are older women.

They approach me because they have been hired to carry items to the village. You see, in this society it's the women that do the hard labor. These buckets weigh 60 pounds each and they put them in these hand weaved backpacks. Then they carry 80 pound sacks in front of them. They carry these items all the way from the airstrip to the village which isn't super far away, but they have to follow a crazy steep trail down the side of a muddy hill.

Goofy Hats

So, who do you think has the goofiest hat in this picture?

Somedays you never know what you will be asked to fly.

Another new first. This one good!

I have had another new first flight here. Actually, I did it twice this week, so it's no longer a first but a second.

My new experience was my first solo INTERNATIONAL flight. It's only 40 minutes from here to Tawau, Malaysia, but it's kind of a big deal to be able to fly there. There is a lot of paperwork involved every time I go. I am also in charge of handling customs and immigration for the passengers in my airplane.

I went to Tawau on Wednesday to help pick up the Forney family. They are MAF missionaries who are returning after having a difficult pregnancy and delivery of twins in the States. This morning I went again to bring Laura's brother and cousin back to Tawau so they can catch a flight home.