Tyler and Emily in PNG

This past Saturday was the annual Divine Word University Cultural Show. I heard about this day about one month ago and heard many good things about it. I heard there would be singing and dancing PNG style.

To make the day more exciting, on the way there I had a flat tire on my bicycle. Rather than turn around and go home to get a vehicle I just pushed the bike onward to the event.

Nonetheless, I arrived and I heard beforehand that there was an entrance fee. One cultural observation was the disorganization at the ticket booth. In PNG, there are no such thing as organized lines. It is everyone rush to the front, push and shove your way to the counter. Well, I joined the crowd of nationals and got my 3 kina ticket purchased. I chained my flat tire bicycle to the chain-link fence and off to the show I went.

The show was on a big grass field with the perimeter surround by 12 – 15 different cultural groups. Each group has their own distinct cultural dress, paint, head dresses, and chants. As I walked around I stood and watching their demonstrations. I tried to interrupt some meaning but came to no conclusions. I simply watched and enjoyed their culture demonstration.

I did notice one group had a tall horned satan figure on a board which they were dancing around. I suspect this had to do something with village spirits. Another group had a very sexual connotation dance and thrusting of the hips. It didn’t matter if it was male to male or female to female.

One thing I knew before I went to this event was PNG is very rich in culture. Over 700 different cultures to be truthful. Every language group in this country has it’s own defined culture. You may not understand or agree with every aspect of their culture, but you have to learn to respect and appreciate their traditions.

I have learned to be accepted, you have to accept them as who they are. You have to show respect for their land, people, and culture. Once you accept them, they are more likely to open up to you and listen to your culture. Say the culture of Christ and the kingdom perspectives which I live by.

Prayer Requests:
Pray for Papua New Guinea –
Last Friday, the government declared a national holiday “National Day of Repentance” Pray for the people and government of this country.
Pray for the government and officials. PNG has a new Prime Minister and newly appointed officers.
Pray for the national elections next year. PNG is changing and the government is under much pressure due to corruption.

PBT-PNG is having a Spiritual Retreat at the end of Sept. Pray for the branch as we are called to mediate and study Ezra and Nehemiah.

God to sustain me with good health.

God to give me clear plans for my future and role with PBT in PNG.

To maintain strong spiritual warfare maintenance

Pray for rain, our water tanks are starting to run empty and we will have to rely on town water soon.