Holidays in the Tropics

THANKSGIVING at the Guest House.

from left to right: Wayne and Loma Morris, myself and Tom, our special guest Justin Swift, (who has a surprise from us for a special someone back in the States -- it sure is a small world!) and Donna and Carl Sheetz. We have lots to be thankful for, of course. We had a great time with everyone.

When we were planning our trip, did we consider Christmas? Not in the least! But, the Guest House had an extra little tree, lights and decorations that fit just right in the corner. A neighbor lent us the little round table on which it is perched. Another neighbor lent us a very large wreath for the wall, so we weren't devoid of some of the trappings of Christmas!

Christmas dinner was phenominal! Donna went all out with creamy drinks, 'congealed' salads, and a host of other things. Loma and I, of course, contributed to the meal with desserts and other things. It was a fairly typical Christmas dinner with ham, potatoes and the works. Our local store was able to get in some special things from the States just for Christmas, things that we take for granted but are very hard to get over here.

Well, it was time to go home, finally about 9:30 p.m. and we couldn't resist taking this picture! After being 92 at mid day, here we are at 70 degrees with bananas from the banana tree in the back yard! We've been following the weather back home...many of you have had quite the snow, blizzards and cold. On one hand, we haven't missed the winter weather, but on the other hand, Christmas under a banana tree is also kinda strange! It's given us the opportunity to exercise our hearts towards the real reason behind the season, tho. Did you all have a pleasant holiday season where you are? We pray so, and that you were filled (and will be filled this coming year) with the knowledge of the fullness of the Lord!

Gate Market...

One of the most facinating things here is our local "farmer's market". Because there is a 12 month growing season every fresh thing you can think of is available. Apples, peaches, nectarines, ... and things that need freezing weather, like garlic, plums, etc., tho, don't do well, but everything else you can imagine is outside our security gate every Monday and Thursday from 4-5:30 pm.

This picture was from our first visit to market. The total cost was about $4.50, and I didn't even have the pineapple in view! The green onions were probably 2' long; the 'heap' of kaukau (sweet potato) cost about $.50; the avocados were $.40 each...the variety of things is amazing, too.

Also at market is a craft section where you can get bilums, meri blauses, baskets, jewelry, some pottery now and then. It's great fun and saves us all from having to go into town to the fresh market there. This is much safer, too.

The security shack in in the foreground...you can see the meri blauses hanging on the fence and people are begining to gather. Whole extended families come together so there are more Citizens that patrons. The men do the crafts (artifacts) and the women are typically the gardeners. If you look closely, you can see the men gathered at the left end and all the women are to the right. Roles here are very distinct and men and women do not sit together.

We're into the rainy season so you can see the water in the little ditch. But still, it never gets cold here but when it rains, it POURS! No wind like Ketchikan, tho. I can handle that! Do you notice the bags almost everyone carries? They are "bilum" (long e sound). They are now made with yarn that is cut into pieces, re-rolled and combined with other colors or fibers. They used to be made from natural plant fibers and you can still find them that way, too, but they are getting more and more colorful with many complicated patterns. They aren't crocheted or knitted - it's another method that is facinating to watch. Bilums are amazing! They don't look particularly big, but they stretch enough to carry a pig, a child, your household belongings, whatever you want to carry.

Everyone carries a bilum...men, women and children. The typical way is to hang it from your head, thus the wide strap. This allows one's hand to be free to carry other things. I agree...this is really quite comfortable and well balanced. They had the idea of backpacks long before we in the West did! The other thing that everyone carries as a matter of course, is a machetti. It's their main tool and is used for a plethora of functions.

Baptism

On a Sunday after church a few weeks ago, many of us drove to the river for the baptism of about 7 or 8 kids of missionaries there on Center. Their fathers were privileged to baptise thier own children - what an honor!

I used the zoom feature on the camera to get a picture of local folks across the river taking in what we were doing. We sang some songs and of course had some prayer. All of the people in this area have had quite a bit of exposure to the outside world and are familiar with these kinds of things. There is a huge Seventh Day Adventist presence here, as well as Catholic and some others.

One of the doctors on Center calls this the Typhoid River -- I've heard that our "pickle ponds" -- the settling ponds for our septic/sewer system, has tested better than the river. hmmmmm...maybe that's why Doc calls it that!

No we're on our way back home to Lapilo - just a very short jaunt down to and across the "highway".

Up until now, we have posted things that we have done, places we have gone and people we have met. There are a plethora of very interesting pictures and events...they'll get posted eventually.

We all want you to know that we haven't forgotten the real reason we are here and future posts will reflect that side of things. Tom and I are amazed, daily, at the magnitude of what goes on in this little "outpost" of the Lord's. There is so much more to tribal missions that we could ever have guessed.

Just very briefly, Tom has been doing some little, and some not so little construction/maintenance/finishing jobs and is currently installing laminate flooring in the headquarters offices. Pictures will follow another day.

I have been able to be of help in the office in the capacity of Candidate Secretary. I am learning just what it takes in the way of paperwork, documents, "proofs", time, communication, prayer, emails, government regulations...not in that order...so that missionaries can get over to Papua New Guinea to fulfill God's call on their lives.

So, until I get pictures and more details of that, enjoy these pictures and remember...we need your continued prayers! Again, may our Lord and yours, keep you close to His heart and bless you with the knowledge of His intimate love for each one of you.

A day trip into Goroka

These are some pictures of the 8 miles or so into town. Goats are a common sight.

Some things are landscaped....

...most are not.

These folks are just the beginning of the throngs of people that are in town, especially on payday.

Sights...Sounds...Smells...

Local sinage

This store is the equivalent to an Ace Hardware...sort of.

Sticker Shock!!! That price is in kina not dollars, but still, divide that by 3.5 or so and you'll get the idea.

Samwell, THIS one is just for you! "Liklik (long e) redpela meri kakaruk!" Send me an email with the translation :-) and I'll bring you a prize!

I guess we all know what this really means, but it's funny nonetheless. Jay Leno might want to use it on his show!

Going to a Local Graduation in a Village

We were honored to be invited to a local Christian school in a neighboring village...across the river. I was unable to get the pictures loaded in proper order, but here we are, trekking up a hill after crossing the river.

All the citizens along the way were helpful and happy to see that we were coming.

These fellas greeted us upon arrival and also ran about during the graduation, which was held outside, as you'll see later.

Here's Donna leading the way across the bridge. What a woman...She is such a trooper, I tell ya!

Graduation

This is a private school and is only about 5 years old. They have up to 5th grade now, and try to add another grade each year. But, they're short on teachers and money, but they're doing well in spite of that. There is a big realization that education is really important and the staff is doing all they can to keep things going. This speaker drove 5 or 6 hours just to speak. He is the director the the Christian Integrated Schools in PNG. It was an honor to have him come from so far away. He stressed the importance, not only of staying in school, but learning English in order to compete in the new world that is invading PNG.

They look like they're scowling, but I don't really think they are. The sun, which is 'high noon' all day, was hot and in their eyes.

We, Donna, Loma and myself, were sitting behind these youngest students and I couldn't help but take their picture. They sat attentively for 2 hours with very little squiriming. We were all impressed. If you look closely, you can see the graduates received a silver garland necklace by some underclassmen during a ceremony to honor them as a class.

A great deal of effort went into decorating for the graduation. There are tropical flowers galore, arms of bananas amongst the glittering tassles.

Honors all round...

It's an honor for the White Skins to be invited to attend the graduation. Typically in PNG societies, men are seperate from the women, and here, all "our" men were brought up front and also received garland necklaces, then sat in front with the rest of the dignitaries. There was a local judge, a pastor, the director of the Christian schools in PNG, among others. Wayne and several others from Lapilo were asked to speak. The entire graduation was in Pidgin but we could get the jist of what was being said.

Tom was one of the men asked to hand out prizes to the students for their various achievements. They got an array of things for attendance, personal hygiene, grades, attitudes, etc....things like large knives for working, umbrellas to protect them from the sun.

I believe this was the local pastor...or the judge. I am not sure. This graduation is truly a proud moment in the village. There are some public schools, but even those cost to attend and the infastructure in PNG isn't the best. There are very high hopes for this little school!

Here is our high school principal also handing out prizes to the students.

...watching the next generation better themselves

Proud grandmothers.

Look at the intensity and concentration on that little face! Whatever she was stringing, she got them all before the graduation was over. :-)

Jill's daughter was one of the graduates. Jill is a "work meri" at the guest house in Lapilo, along with another citizen, Esther. They are very hard workers and are a great help to Donna and Carl...and the other couple who runs the guest house but are on furlogh right now.