Shot woman bears no grudge

Rodney Franzoi and wife Cathy, who was shot while in Papua New Guinea.

The Bay woman who was shot while in Papua New Guinea says she does not hold a grudge against the person who shot her.

Waihi Beach woman Cathy Franzoi was shot in the leg by a stray bullet during a gun battle.

Mrs Franzoi was in Port Moresby, volunteering with her son Luke.

She underwent surgery in a Cairns hospital on Tuesday night and was expected to come home today.

Her husband Rodney Franzoi said Cathy was recovering well after surgery and had been taken to a hotel.

In a statement, Mrs Franzoi said the incident was in no way connected to the medical outreach mission, which she had completed the day before.

"We had an amazing, life-changing and incredible time, serving alongside the other volunteers and staff of Ywam on Outreach 6," she said.

"I hold all the Ywam team members I met in highest regard, and deeply appreciate the care and assistance that they offered upon hearing of this incident."

The flight taking them home on Sunday did not leave, so the group Mrs Franzoi was with stayed an extra night in a guest house in Port Moresby.

"We were in bed asleep when one of the ladies in our room was awoken by some gunshots. The shots appeared to be getting closer, so she called out for us to get on to the floor. I had not woken properly and was still lying on my side when I felt the bullet hit."

She said she heard about six shots in total.

"In my opinion, this was a random event. It does not appear that we were targeted, or that there was a massive gunfight going on. I do not hold any grudge against whoever was wielding the gun and I am grateful to God for a series of events that actually protected me from an entirely different outcome."

She said she was glad to have met "so many amazing people" throughout the ordeal.

Mrs Franzoi said the incident had not put her off volunteering. "Would I return to PNG?

"Absolutely." Mr Franzoi said his wife was recovering well.

"I knew she was okay when she said she was eating an icecream."

Mr Franzoi said the doctors had told his wife she needed to wait at least 24 hours before she could fly home.

"For me, the sooner she is home the better."