Flight to Freedom

In 1967 at twenty-four years of age and having escaped from his mother's domineering and cruel servitude Dieter finally has time to gather his thoughts and dream about the rest of his life. His destination is Lae in Papua New Guinea where he reclaims the years he lost providing for his mother and six siblings. All is well while he is in the tropical paradise in Lae working for Namasu. Too soon his work ethic receives recognition and Dieter moves to more isolated areas of the Highlands to troubleshoot. This creates a stumbling block to his plan to work his way overland back to Opa and his German family. What will he do? Before he returns south at the Hagen Show Dieter is offered a job in the heart of the Western Highlands. He accepts and moves to Kandep. He cannot believe his eyes when a young mission teacher from further up the valley comes in to focus. Dieter pursues Jean and proves his mother's predictions to be wrong. A whirlwind romance follows and a wedding. The job in Kandep is unsustainable so Dieter and Jean move to Hagen in search of work. Life improves beyond Dieter's wildest dreams as they increase their family by one and move to the Southern Highlands. No matter what is thrown at them they cling together weathering storms, overcoming challenges and enjoying life in between. Health issues for Dieter begin to take their toll and in April 1973 they are advised to move south. Jean and their twenty-two months old daughter are back on the station while Dieter is in hospital with radio contact the only communication between them. In haste Jean packs up, finalises their contract with the government business development office and organises the shipment of their goods. What will the future hold for the family with a second child on the way as they change their direction in life and move to another country?