Visiting my friend Habel

Before I left for Papua, I received word that Habel was on his deathbed in the village of Yaniruma. After making some further inquiries, it turned out that it wasn't that bad, but he was indeed quite sick.
Habel Molonggatun is one of my oldest Korowai friends. A faithful man who was fully committed to the proclamation of the gospel. So I was determined to visit him during my visit to Papua. On May 12, I went downriver from Danowage to Yaniruma to pick up Lukas Hawiih for a translation check and I wanted to use this opportunity to visit Habel. However, when I arrived, it turned out that he had become so sick that his family had flown him out to the hospital in Tanah Merah. He even needed a blood transfusion.

I didn't know how he was doing and if he would be back soon, so I first focused on my checking work. Because the translation checks went so well, I had a few extra days before Suluh's Literacy Survey was to begin. From Danowage there is a regular plane connection with Tanah Merah and I was able to arrange a return ticket. This allowed me to visit Habel in Tanah Merah for a few days.

It was good to see him. He was doing a lot better and seemed to be in good spirits. Both his children, Manin (named after our daughter) and Samuel, were with him and were taking good care of him. He still had some health issues, but the cause of these was not entirely clear. He had lost a lot of weight, so I got him some high-protein meals and I encouraged his children to provide him with some protein and vegetables every day.

Nope Bainggatun, from Sinimburu, drove me around while I was in Tanah Merah.