Tribe or DIE?

Well we are into our 7th week here and it's been intense, let me fill you in.

About a week ago a missionary family from in a tribal work (Tim and Courtney Shontere) asked us if we would consider a house swap with them for 7 weeks. Justin and I would be required to go to a tribal location for 7 weeks to see the realities of church planting in a tribal context, finish up our national language study (this particular tribe is bilingual and all speak Tok Pisin) and to see if this is a ministry that we CAN do or not. This "Bush Orientation" typically takes place after you have been here in PNG for about 3-5 monthes...we have been here 2 months the day we will fly into the tribe!!

So why would we go so early? Let me share-

When we were approached, it came as an opportunity for the Church their in the tribe to:

1. Get to take us on as their responsibility to take on culture events, help us learn Tok Pisisn, and pretty much orient us to life in the bush.

2. So that this missionary family could work on translation of the new testament. He is hoping to translate what he has left of Revelation, 1 & 2 Corinthians, in 7 weeks of "focus" time out of the tribe. He will bring out his translation helper from the tribe with him to help.

Seriously- what would you do with an offer like that? We felt like we would do whatever we can to get God's Word in their heart language- even if it means we are going to a tribe a little early!

The sweet part about Bush Orientation is that they have you go into tribe post-Gospel so that we can ask tons of questions about their perspective on how the missionaries strategies were effective in communicating Christ and where there were obstacles. It is a unique opportunity and we ask that you would pray with us to take advantage of this time. (And that we won't die- just kidding, it is totally safe for people who do this all the time- but we aren't "those" people yet!)

***This is Ruban (Pax calls him Ruby), our main language helper.

After having our totally intimadating language check, we found out that we are actually in a great place, language-wise to go. So that eased my heart until i heard this....

-Justin will be going on serval all night hunting excursions with the men.

-We will be going on hikes

-Some of these "trails" will be through swamps that will sink in over our children's heads!!

-Dug Out Canoe rides (which is SO COOL) but over rivers with crocodiles in them!(probably sharks too, if google/shark week is correct)

-This tribe is one that does have malaria mosquitos

-Tons of bugs. Like they told us that our legs will be COVERED in bugs when we are out in the evening, yea!

- Not only that but some of the mosquitos "feel like a syringe".

So you see why I wrote Tribe or DIE!

We have all the responsibilities as a tribal missionary does:

Keeping the solar panels and gel batteries maintained, Sak Saking (which is the process of how they get their main food staple from a tree), Canoeing, Gardening with the people, Building relationships, Helping the Church grow and like meal planning for a month- what you don't plan for you don't have. So today I am working on the grocery list and cooking up some meals to freeze for those "OMG it's dinner time" moments.

I am definitely excited but nervous. Oh yeah another reality check- no Facebook, just emails. We hope to figure out a way to send a least one picture of us out at some point so you guys can see what we are doing.

Language Learning....

Let me start by saying language learning is a process. And I am one of those people, come to find out, that likes to gets things done quickly. If i'm hungry go pick up some Del Taco or Chick Fil-a, if i ask someone to do something and they don't do it at that moment- i do it. Hmm... as i write that out it seems that i lack patience...i'll pray about that. Anyway, language learning takes TIME! I haven't found short cuts or tricks to figure this thing out. But I have found this: you have to put in the time, effort, PATIENCE, humility and find someone to help you through it AND be able to laugh when they laugh AT you.

I have good days and bad learning Tok Pisin but all the same I am learning. Justin has made some good friends in the neighborhood and we have been having them come over one at a time to help us. I also have a woman named Meta come to the house once a week for a couple hours to help me with language and around the house. Today i taught Meta how to make tortillas and i almost spoke Pisin the whole time! (like a little little kid-but hey i'll take it!) This is a picture of the heart shaped tortilla Meta made for Pais. Pax like her too, he calls her "ma"!

We do take the bus into "town" once or twice a week as a family which is a great time to practice our limited vocabulary. And the kids like it-everyone here loves our kids. They spoil them! Paisley has 3 Meri Blouses (Mu Mu's) that ladies from around town have made for her and given to her. People love to give them bananas and candy, too!

***Pray for us to be learn this language quick!

"That is why we are here!"

The first couple weeks we were here there was a Translation Workshop at the base we live on. We got to meet a bunch of tribal church planters from all the areas New Tribes works in Papua New Guinea. The workshop was talking about translation for the Literacy course (in the tribe) as well as translation of the Bible and Bible lessons. The sweet part was that the missionaries brought with them their main language helper from the tribe. So we got to see the relationships that were built between these co-workers and most evident, friends.

One evening the whole base got together to have a potluck. Our family was eating and saw 2 tribal men starting to sit by themselves. I was easily able to sway them to join us and we made room. As we ate and talked (with very simple words and lots of body language since we didn't know much Tok Pisin at all) one of the tribal men said to us" The fellowship we are enjoying here now, is like a preview for what it will be like for all of us in heaven". (This was translated from one tribal guy to the other who knew more tok pisin and english.)

I was totally overwhelmed. I wasn't expecting to be so humbled and reminded of why decided to go to PNG anyway. It wasn't for adventure or challenge; to have an "experience" or see the world. It is all to bring His children back into right standing with Him, so that one day we can all be together praising God forever and ever. That is why we are here. I am thankful to have been motivated from the start by a tribal man to stay focused on the goal!

This is Paul. The one who did the Translating at the table. Paisley loved him. He was missing his kids back in the tribe and decided to love on ours in the mean time!

Care Package List

Some of you guys have asked what kind of stuff we would like if some one were to send a package. Anything of course would be appreciated but some things are more "practical" then others. Here is a list i put together with some things i thought of over the MONTH!

-Stain Remover Stick (not pen)

-Baby Wipes
-Cleaning wipes
-Instant rice sides, noodles, dinner packs (like hamburger helper- ish)," home style mac and cheese"
-rice ( jasmine, arborio, etc )

-cookie, brownie,cake, muffin mix
-salad dressing mix
-chocolate chips, toffee, pecans, walnuts, etc. (for baking)
-Cereal
-Drink mix (juice is $8 here!!! ex: kool aid, crystal light, etc)
-Mayonaise (in plastic jar, regular or light)
-Paper towels
-Kids sunscreen (50+)
-Off Bug Repellant

-Crafts for the kids
-Toys for the kids
-DVD's (used would be great, too: happy feet, the little mermaid, beauty & the beast, mickey mouse clubhouse, Blues Clues, anything really…. and maybe a movie for us? we haven't seen anything since Wolverine: X man, so we are behind the times!)
-Tupperware**** all sizes. we have to put EVERYTHING in GOOD quality, air tight tupperware to keep things from bugs. even the dollar store shoebox ones are good for putting our clothes in.
-Pillows (they mold)

-Kids/Family board games (we have none so anything works, used is good or check yard sales) --Cards/Stationary-i enjoying writing notes to people

-Jar Candles (the power goes out all the time and i only have 2 small candles. i love citrus smells, tropical fruity stuff)

-Body soap bars

-Anti bacterial hand soap

-Magazines- don't judge me but i love me some People and US Weekly, etc. I'm from California, it's part of my heritage!

-Paper plates- you have seen the pictures of my daily dishes, it would mix things up. ****Pictures of your family! We would love to show the kids who you are and to pray for you as a family.***

Hopefully that list gives you an idea of some things that would be helpful. Thank you for thinking of us. It makes our family feel like we are still connected even when we are in the furthest place possible from you. (isn't that crazy-the exact opposite side of the world)

The best way to send things are with the international Flat Rate box. Be sure you document what is in the box on the customs form.

Our New Home Address is:

PO Box 625

Wewak E.S.P. 531

Papua New Guinea

Things They Don't Tell You

1. What the smell of mold is like- and that you will be living in and around it. It is the worst smell, it makes me gag! There is one closet and bathroom that smell like mold so bad, i hold my breath when i go in them.

2. That you will never stop washing dishes throughout the day. (thanks to the scratch cooking)

3. The "PNG Missionary Tan Lines"- at first you think, she's living on an island and will have the most amazing tan...Well that is partly true. What you don't realize is that i have a dress code to follow (because of culture here) and i am not allowed to show my knees or wear thin straps, so you end up with a somewhat tank unitard looking tan line. Not so cute, i feel like a guy with white legs and tan calves.

4. Fruit and Veggies are different. Of course the varieties are we are on the opposite side of the world. I didn't know that fresh produce will go bad the next day here- Paisley helped me figure that out when there were worm coming from the bananas we had bought the day before. I love preservatives and miss them.

5. You must wear shoes at ALL times, even in your house. One night i was heading to bed and stepped right onto a gecko and killed it. Gross. (geckos are all over the place. The kids love to see them running all over the house at night.)

6. At beaches there are things called Sand Fleas (which i got and they itched like crazy for 4 days) and Sea Lice.

7. Power (electricity) is a privilege. Rolling power keeps you on your toes, teaches you to be creative and flexible.

8. Laundry cannot be done once a week. Learned that the hard way, i was hanging up clothes on the lines forever and then it started to rain when i finished!

9. Your clothes smell sour after you wash them and hang them out to dry.

10. Men hold hands- like interlock hands as they talk with each other. It's a sign of friendship. It happened to justin when we were at a market in town. The security guard was telling him that he would help justin learn Tok Pisin and when i turned around the man was holding His hand....Justin was like "uh, what do i do?!". i wish i would have been bold enough to snap a picture! (**husband and wives are to never hold hands, kiss or be affectionate in public. So it is weird to see guys holding guys hands and girls holding girls)

(***i tried for the past 3 days to upload pictures, sorry they wouldn't work. maybe next time)

Missionary Life 101 (pt. 2)

Food. One thing i mastered this week was the art of making bread! It was quite intimidating at first and i had heard so many horror stories. But thanks to my Kitchen Aid, it was a cinch!

There were a couple things i did learn after i made and ATE that beautiful bread...you ALWAYS have to sift your flour. Here are the worms that were found in the flour after i found that out! Yuck!!!! Oh man, living in a 3rd world country...someone needs to write a manual about how tocook- because it was the ants first, which i embraced but the worms are crossing a line.

I also have learned how much time goes into "scratch" cooking. I do enjoy cooking so it has been fun but man the dishes that go with it are never ending. My kitchen always has dishes in it and the worst part is you can't leave them for thenext day because A) you need to use them again to make breakfast B) the ants and friends will be on them in the morning and C) the sink is pretty shallow, so they don't all fit!

Lastly, the inflation on food is ridiculously high. Here is what we got on our first trip to the market (21 items): all for $115.00!!!

Missionary Life 101 (pt. 1)

I have lived in Papua New Guinea for 12 days now. It is a great place and i am adjusting to our new season of life here. While we were in training we knew that PNG would be hot and humid, the people were going to smell different, food would be different, etc. And i embraced it, thinking that the Lord would challenge us beyond our own strength, and intimately bless us with other things. I was thinking if i am going to go there than hopefully He will let me have curly hair (from the intense humidity) and not have ants/gnats, because i will deal with flies and HUGE spiders...that sounds doable and like a vary fair deal. But nope. ANTS. They are so the new plague.

I know you are thinking, just spray some windex (which you can't get) and clean you counters clean. Oh no! These are 3rd world ants have no restrictions. They are everywhere: the counters, the flour, sugar, rice, the dishes in the sink, the dishes in the cupboard, the trash, shower, closet, walls, desk, table, even ants in your underpants!!! Yeah you have to put your underwear in a tupperware! that is the stuff they don't tell you in training folks! At first i tired to kill them and keep them out. But these ants are one step ahead of me. So i have learned to live WITH the ants. We stay out of each others main routes but we are always here together.

Tonight at dinner Paisley said "Mom there's a bee in my rice!" i said " it's just an ant, it's ok" So there you have it. We have been initiated onto the mission field.