Tyler and Emily in PNG

Last weekend, I journeyed away from the hot, humid coast to the Eastern Highlands to visit POC friends. Enjoy this short 2 min video of the Ramu Valley. The rows and rows of palms are part of the Ramu palm oil operation.

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Last weekend, I made a trip to the Eastern Highlands Province to visit friends from the Pacific Orientation Course (POC) that I attended for the first 3 months I was in country. The small town of Ukarampu in the Eastern Highlands is the headquarters for Wycliffe in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Wycliffe is a large Bible translation organization which home base is in Orlando, FL. The centre in Ukarumpa is the base for all support related roles for translation in PNG. Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT) and Wycliffe work very closely with one another to accomplish the mission which we both share in providing God’s word in their heart language.

Ever since I been in PNG I have heard of this cool place in the highlands called Ukarampa. PBT actually has 3 flats there for us to use if we have to go there for any reason. None the less, this place sparked my interest and I wanted to go check it out and visit my friends. I inquired about the local means of travel on Public Motor Vehicle and found for 30 kina ($13) I could make the 4-5 hour trip.

As I was making arrangements, I ran into a group visiting Madang that week from Ukarampu and was able to hitch a ride back with them to the highlands. The catch was I had to ride in the back of a pickup for 5 hrs with 2 other guys. It was a very tight and not so comfortable trip through the mountains and the valley. Plus the heat and full sunshine had for a long and tiring journey. As you could imagine, what they call a highway in PNG is not your typical highway at home. One part, we passed a road sign ‘Ford’. Not your car manufacturer but a Ford in the river. Yes, we had to cross through the river. Luckily it was only inches deep at this time.

I left Madang at 10:45 am on Friday and arrived to the highlands at 4 pm. Ukarumpa mission centre is located approximately 5000’ ft. Leaving the hot, humid temps of Madang and going to a place where the temp is now in the low 70s is quite a change. In fact, on the morning I left to come back to Madang it was 62 degrees in the house. That is 20 degrees cooler than my morning temp in Madang when I wake at 6:15 am. It was different to see men and women walk around with long pants, sweaters, stocking caps, and even some with coats on when it was in the upper 60s. We even had a fire in the fireplace on Sat. night when we were watching a movie. Being 6 degrees from the equator and being cold just doesn’t jive in my mind. You do have to remember the elevation of 5000’ does play a huge factor. I suppose temperature and being cold is a relative concept.

During my time in Ukarumpa I stayed with my POC roommate and the person I shared my village living experience with for 5 weeks, John. On Friday night, we had a small party and a few girls from the course made three pizzas and an awesome dessert which I enjoyed. We played dominos and shared stories. On Saturday, the same girls had scheduled John and I over for breakfast which I could not miss the opportunity for coffee and eggs. Afterwards, John gave me the tour of the centre and a stop by the horse carrel where John is helping out. Later in the afternoon into the evening, John hosted a BBQ for what he called ‘The Crowd.’ It was designed for singles but a few couples infiltrated the gathering which was accepted. 26 people in all came to fellowship, share and of course eat. My last day, Sunday I went to two worship services on centre. The first being Tok Pisin and the second being English. I enjoyed them both and was nice to worship in two languages. I was invited to the youth hostel where the hostel parents went to POC with me so I ate lunch with them and shared what was going on in my life. Sunday evening we once again gathered to break bread and fellowship. Yes, the same girls prepared dinner for John, Daniel, and me yet again. They even made homemade ice-cream which was spectacular. After a fun game of Phase 10 dice we had to face Monday morning was fast approaching. I said my good-byes and many thanks.

Monday morning, John drove me to Kainantu (short 20 min drive) where I could hail a PMV back to Madang. As soon as we pulled up to the stop, right away a PMV showed up yelling, “Madang, Madang, Madang, Come, Come…”. I made eye contact with the boss crew and I was given the white man royal treatment of the front seat. I told John bye and off I was back to Madang. This time it was much more comfortable and a little bit faster. I left the highlands at 7:20 and was back to Madang at noon.

The drive through the mountains, Ramu valley, and back to Madang is beautiful. Going from mountain elevation, passing through rich farm valley ground, back to the coastal water of Madang is scenic wonder.

We had multiple stops along the way to pick up and drop off passengers and plus the boss crew wanted to make sure the van was completely full. We had one important stop at Ramu. Ramu is in the middle of the valley and a place where much of the PNG sugar is produced along with palm oil and beef cattle are raised. As we circle and drove around trying to pick up more riders a man noticed me riding in the front seat. This man yelled out, “A, nupela, whit skin boss krew i kamap nau.” The man was making a remark that I was the new boss crew of the PMV. So I started yelling out the window, “Madang, Madang, Madang, Come, Come…”.  Of course the driver and the real boss crew all got a kick out of this white man acting like a crazy local.

One thing I have learned about this culture and how to be accepted is, just be yourself. People love to laugh and love to have fun. If they see you having fun and enjoying yourself they will more feeling express themselves and welcome you.

I had a great weekend and I great holiday. It was a wonderful reprieve from hot, humid Madang. I plan on visiting the highlands again and hopefully have the chance to fellowship and laugh with my friends in Ukarampu one more time.

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Last week, I walked over to the post office with Bethaney just for a few moments of fresh air. As I was reading the bulletin board Bethaney yelled out, ‘Tyler, a package for you.’ I knew I had a package coming but thought it would be at least another week before arrival. Sure enough, there was a package with my name on it. I knew what was inside and I was eager to open the package and see all the goodies that my mother sent me.

When I opened the package, I had four PBT polo shirts, two lounging shorts, book Don’t Waste Your Life, hard drive external case, AAA batteries, magazines, peanut M&M’s, and a can of Hershey’s cocoa. My day was fulfilled!

I proudly showed off my new PBT polo shirts and got many ooo’s and ahhh’s. I was impressed myself and really enjoy the color variation. I submitted the idea to my mother and she did the rest. Now the office staff are envious and have plenty ‘ai gris’ (jealousy).

The package took two weeks to arrive with some 11 days between Chicago and Papua New Guinea. The international tracking is not as sophisticated as domestic tracking. Truthfully, it is rather amazing the some packages even arrive in country. I have heard of many horror of packages not even being delivered, lost, or returned to sender. Sometimes the local post office doesn’t even know what to do with a package. Nonetheless, I am very thankful and praise God for the arrival of this care package. Thank you Mom and Dad!

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I subscribe to a daily e-devotion spurred from the Purpose Driven Life titled, Purpose Driven Connection. A few days ago, Warren reminded his subscribers  during hard times or frustrations that indeed God is good and He is in control. He listed 4 spiritual strongholds that I know I cling to daily:

1. The Holy Spirit is praying for you. “[T]he Spirit himself speaks to God for us, and even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain” (Romans 8:26 NCV).

2. God uses everything for your good. “And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28 NIV). God is bigger than your enemies. He’s bigger than your critics. He’s bigger than your problems. And he’s working it all for good in your life.

3. God wants you to succeed. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NLT). God wants you to succeed in all those areas where you are failing. He’s pulling for you.

4. God will give you what you need. “And since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT). God solved your biggest problem when he paid for all your sins, including the ones you haven’t done yet. If God cared enough to save you and give you the gift of eternal life, don’t you think he cares about the problems in your daily life? If it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about. And if you pray about it, you won’t have to worry about it.

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Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts. I apologize for not posting prayers and praises as often as I should. As any missionary living in a developing country you always can pray for: safety, health, strong spiritual guidance, and protection for the evil one.

Praises:
Good health
God is answering prayers
Great village visit and great holiday to the highlands

Prayer Requests:
God to direct my paths as I continue to evaluate my time in PNG
Stand strong against the devil’s schemes
God to use me and my talents to serve effectively

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Enjoy this short 2 min video of the local rugby action on Sunday afternoon.

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Being in a land far from the American sports such as baseball and football, I have been introduced into rugby. Rugby is known as footy or football here in PNG and Australia. There are three rugby styles: league, union, and Aussie. The one I have been introduced to is rugby league. They play their games on Friday night with one feature game on Sunday afternoon. There is one national TV station in country and it broadcasts the games from Australia.

This past Wednesday night, was State of Origin III. State of Origin is an all star like game where players are selected from their state of origin in Australia (New South Wales or Queensland). They play best of three series with the games played every three weeks. Wed night was game three, the rubber match game, so yes we had to have a footy party. Me and two other PBT missionaries gathered to watch the game with root beer floats at half time. The game was played in Brisbane home of the Maroons of Queensland and they played against the Blues from New South Wales. They play two, 40 minute halves with a short 10 minute half time. The clock does not stop unless for serious injury. It is a fast moving game.

The game is played much like American football and the goal is to score a ‘try’ or touchdown. They play on 100 meter field. However, to advance the ball you have to pass the football backwards and run forward. You cannot advance the football by throwing it, however you can kick the ball. Each team has six downs and if you have not scored by the six down you can kick or punt the ball. Contrary to American football, there are no pads or helmets worn.

Back in Madang, there are local rugby league teams that play around the city. Nearby where I live, there is a field and I’ve heard they play every Sunday afternoon. This Sunday, I took the opportunity to wonder over to the field to watch the local action.

The field perimeter is outlined with an chain link fence with barb wire on-top. Not sure if they are trying to keep the crowd off the field or the players from going into the stands. The game was pretty civil but they were times when both sides got stirred up. The action was not nearly as exciting as the ‘State of the Union’ but the action was still real and looked painful every time a tackle was made. I believe the blue team won.

I am continuing to find new ways to explore this place, in which I live. To learn a new culture, you must be willing to put yourself in the place where they are. I enjoy the chances I have to get out in the community and broaden my horizons. On the way to church, we walked by a game of cricket played by expatriates and on the way to the footy game I walked by local youth girls playing 2-hand touch rugby.

For More Information on Rugby League State of Origin: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Rugby_League_State_of_Origin

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So what is happening in Papua New Guinea (PNG), today?

Pioneer Bible Translators here in PNG are in the midst of a building project for national translators. The need for housing is high and often there is ‘no room in the inn’ for our national translators. Almost every week, there is a team of national translators that come to town to work on their vernacular translation. Checking, consulting, back translations, etc are always happening. On Monday the Mborena Kam team went back to their village and today, Tuesday, the Akukem team is here for the next three weeks doing checking on the book of Matthew. All the men who leave their villages and come to town, need a place to stay. The current housing is ran down, out of date, small, and located in an unsafe neighborhood.

This past May, PBT broke ground for a two story building to house our national translators. The planned two‐story building provides:
– 10 sleeping rooms, each accommodating two people
– 2 efficiency apartments to accommodate couples
– Kitchen
– Dining hall that will also serve as work room and classroom

The total cost of this project is $276,000 USD. As a branch we have prayerfully consider this project and fully believe and trust God that he will provide all the necessary funds and items needed to complete this project.

To view the written statement from the Branch Director concerning this project, click here to download.

For more information, updates, and weekly pictures, visit the website:
http://pbtpng.org/national-co-worker-housing

This is a very exciting project for the branch. It is a real encouragement to our national translators and inspiring to them, that the branch is building them a new housing complex. Please join us in praying for this project and God will bless this housing project for the advancement of the Kingdom here in PNG.

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