Tyler and Emily in PNG

When I was in Dallas for Pioneer Mission Institute (PMI) during June 2010, I met a Moody Bible Institute student from Washington. He introduced himself as Trapper John. ‘Trapper’ or known otherwise as Jonathan was a linguist student at Moody with the intentions of graduating and becoming a linguistic surveyor with PBT. I told Jonathan my plans of coming to PNG and he told me his plans of coming to PNG in the summer of 2011 to tour the Sepik River in northern PNG.

I got a Facebook message that he bought his ticket and was leaving USA first of June for PNG. He told me he would be coming through Madang the first of August and wanted to know if I was around. I told him, just come by the PBT office and ask for me, I will be here. Well, fast forward to Wed of last week, and here comes Trapper John (see picture). He was accompanied by his friend, Maestro and holding his bow-n-arrows along with crocodile teeth necklace. He only lacked the crocodile dundee hat.

Jonathan just arrived from Wewak, a north coast town, by overnight boat. We storied in the office for a while and got a brief introduction to Maestro and his spears. He showed us on the map where he started and finished. He trekked over mountains and canoed many Sepik river miles. One of his stories includes loosing his camera during a canoe crash and also having to face tribal men. His experiences were epic and adventures displayed no fear.

Jonathan stayed with me for 4 nights and was blessed by great greasy, fatty foods. He mentioned over the previous 7 weeks he lost 25 lbs. He did not eat ‘white man’ food but took to the local culture of taro and sago. He drank kalaus and chewed bettlenut. Jonathan was the indigenous white man canoeing the Sepik River through the heart of Papua New Guinea.

Friday, I took the day off and entertaining him with an kayak trip to Krangket Island. A very similar experience that I blogged on before on the Queen’s Birthday. We rented two single kayaks and headed off with a spear in hand to spear fish. Fishing by spear was not happening and a skill learned by native boys. Jonathan did kayak to another nearby island and found favor is the boys there that he gave his fishing spear to them. He mentioned there white teeth and grand smiles were a lasting image of Papua New Guinea.

As I was glad to see Trapper John, I was glad to send him off on his adventure back to the capital then out of country to Australia for his Trans-Pacific flight to LAX. I am sure Trapper John and I will meet again but until that days arrives, let the grace of God fall on him.

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I got to confess many of my weekly posts have not been worked related but more of the ‘Life of Tyler in PNG.’ This past week I had two experiences where my role in IT (information technology) played a small part of the bigger picture of bible translation.

One of the national translators among the Aruamu language group came to town last year to get help with his email and to pick up some computer equipment. He has an Asus netbook which he uses in the village to aid in his translation. Recently he got a satellite modem via The Seed Company allowing him to connect to the internet and send/receive email along with important translation files. The United Bible Societies and partners have built a scripture translation program called, Paratext. This program has radically changed the development and process of bible translation. Through Paratext you can have a central database of all translation projects and files on the internet. There are multiple servers in Chicago which store these very important files. Now this national translator can safely send and receive updates anywhere in the world, thanks to this BGAN satellite modem.

With the capability of the internet, this translator also can email and chat with other missionaries and technicians around the world. This can save much time and money, allowing him to stay in the village and not travel the 5-6 hrs by bus to town. I helped him configure his email, provided a 50 foot ethernet cable, and a DVD/CD drive for his netbook. Praise God for wonderful partners in bible translation that through technological advancements God’s word will be made available more rapidly. Yes, the kingdom of God is advancing through the use of information technology.

Also last week, I was charged with the task to setup four laptops in order that four men from the Aruamu language group can come to town and type God’s word into Paratext. I had to setup user accounts, registration information, apply computer updates and configure Paratext for use by the language speakers.

This particular language group has the complete New Testament printed and now they are working on completing the Old Testament. Prayerfully through God’s grace, this language group will soon have the whole Bible in their language. This week they are working on typing scripture from Jeremiah, Joshua, 1 Samuel, and Nehemiah. Please pray for these men and God will empower them this week to input many verses and scripture.

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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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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.

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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.

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As promised, I have posted a video of my kayak adventure to Krangket Island. I hope you took the chance to listen to the audio files I posted last week. Enjoy this S. Pacific island…

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