Tyler and Emily in PNG

During my village stay during the month of April, I shared the story of how the American’s went to the moon. First my papa asked me the question, did man go go the moon? I responded, yes in deed man went to the moon. This was an excellent lead in for me to story and share with him about how the American’s went to the moon.

I continued to tell him, the Americans build one big rocket, man drove the rocket and landed on the moon. Not only did man go to the moon but he took with him a car. He drove this car around the moon collecting rocks and samples for science. He even planted the American flag on the moon. This story just amazed my papa that a car was still on the moon today and that America claims the moon as theirs.

I continued to story and share with him about the moon. He was laughing and laughing at why the Americans would take a car to the moon. He was sold that the car was a Toyota Land cruiser. I made sure to tell him that this car on the moon is another type of car. I told papa when I came back to visit I would bring pictures of this car on the moon.

This past weekend, I returned to the village for two nights and one day stay. I brought back plenty of stories and pictures of the moon. They were amazed at the pictures of the car, man planting the flag, and the big rocket ship. They just laughed and stood in amazement of the white man. Mama said, “Wait man i gat plenti save long tingting.” (White man is very smart.)

They all gathered around the paper that I laminated and asked many questions. I told them that the big rockets that propel the spaceship into orbit fall from the ship and land in the ocean. Then the spaceship goes to the moon. And the car on the moon, well it is still there today. I told them, white man drove it around then it ran out of gas so they left it on the moon. Next time white man goes back to the moon they must bring gas for the car.

The whole concept of the man going to the moon is so far from their minds they cannot comprehend. Their expressions and questions are well worth me sharing the story and pictures with them.

—————————————————————————————————–
With that aside, I had a wonderful weekend with my was family. They were very glad to see me and glad that I came back to visit. Before I left town, two of my was sisters were at market so I meet them there and went back to the village with them on the PMV. Before we left, Nira (was sister) and me went to buy a chicken. She picked out a live chicken and I bought it. They placed it in a plastic bag and off we went.

I was also took banana bread and popcorn to share as a treat with them. They love anything that has a sweet taste. I made it a priority to always bring salt with me to the village as they love to salt everything they eat. Nelson (was brother) caught two mumut’s (big bush rat like animal) so we ate pretty good for dinner. Mumut, chicken, rice, potato, and pumpkin.

They are really special people. Have genuine hearts and compassion for one another. They look after one another closely and always concerned for your health and safety. If you get hurt or something happens to you, then everyone hurts or mourns. Very communal.

During church they welcomed me back and expressed it as I was there brother coming home. They said, my home is Karadou (the village) and I have come back. They have accepted me as one of their own. When I walk the bush trails someone might cry my name from a far and I return a greeting not even knowing their name. It is very welcoming and friendly. It touches my heart strings and I know they love and care for me.

My aim is that the love of Christ be shown through me to them. I pray that I can touch their hearts as they have touched mine.