Tyler and Emily in PNG

Nau em I de namba 7 mi skul long Tok Pisin. (Now it is day number 7 of my Tok Pisin school.)

This past week I learned a dialogue about a garden. Gardens here are the heart and soul of everything. Well, land is actually the means of life. If you have no land, you have no life. Land gives you gardens which produces food (kaikai) which allows you to live. Land is also a status symbol in the culture. The procedure of a garden are first you mark the ground then you cut the grass or bush. You need to allow time for the grass/bush to dry then you set fire or cook the garden. There is not much worry about wild fires here as the land is very green and rich. They only cut and dry what they want to burn. Green grass will not burn. After the land or garden has been cleared and burned then you break the ground and plant. To break the ground they do not use a shovel or spade or any machinery but a strong pointed stick. This is very hard work. It is the man’s job to work the garden and the woman’s job to come behind to gather the food. There are jobs men do and jobs women do. They do not mix jobs. Men work and women cook.

This past week we had a special guest who was in full time ministry with SIL (Wycliffe) for 29 years. She immigrated to PNG from Australia and married a native PNG man. This is not common and very high risk. In the end, she became a PNG resident forgoing her Australia citizenship. She had a wonderful marriage to this man though he suffered a fatal stoke a few years back. She talked to the group here the past few days on culture and history of PNG. A few things that tickled my ears were: PNG was originally split into Papua (meaning ‘fuzzing heads’ given by the Portuguese) in the south claimed by the British and New Guinea in the north claimed by the Germans. The west part of the island was controlled by the Dutch until 1960’s when Indonesia dropped in and force the Dutch out by military force. The Dutch had 24 hours to leave the island. From a culture perspective the #1 issue facing PNGers today is greed. People here want to get rich quick and make no effort in doing so. Right now, there is a deal on the table for Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). PNG is rich with natural resources such as nickel, copper, and natural gas. This LNG project is good and bad. The business entities need land to operate and the owners of this land want compensation immediately (greed). This ties back to land being central of life. No one can buy land. Land is owned by the community or tribe residing on the land. You can lease land but never own it. You can speculate potential problems that may arise. This is one of the major huddles facing land owners (tribes and communities) with the LNG project.

Last Thursday, my roommate and I were introduced to our wasfamili (watch family). We will be having five encounters with our wasfamili during POC. This gives each of us an opportunity to learn and experience the local culture and language. On Thursday my wasfamili came to POC for dinner. We were the hosts. My family consists of papa, mama, and four children. In the culture here it is socially appropriate for men to address men and women to address women. Being our specific case, we had one speaker being papa, his name is Hogg. The first visit we had rice and beef stew with bread rolls. My first experience with limited Tok Pisin language was very rough. I quickly ran out of words and questions to ask. There was plenty time to sit, stare, and think. Hogg mentioned before they left for the night that we had no stories to tell. He said after a few more weeks we will have plenty of stories to share. I hope he is right. This coming Thursday we are preparing to go to his home as they will be the hosts. This will be my first village experience. Looking to the weeks ahead, I will spend the night with my wasfamili, another village visit, and last we will entertain the wasfamili with a meal prepared by me and my roommate.

I also want to touch a bit on my first haus kuk weekend that I talked about last post. Last weekend was our first experience at cooking on an open fire for all meals on Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, I attend a bread making class  which I made 1 loaf of half wheat and half white bread and turned the extra dough into bread sticks. It turned out well. I was proud of myself. So for the first weekend we had fresh bread. Peanut butter and bread go a long way with two single men. Bananas, peanut butter and bread make an excellent breakfast. I didn’t starve but I didn’t eat the best. I was lucky to grab leftovers from the other families such as fried bananas and fried onion rings. Since my birthday was the week prior a group of girls wanted to celebrate by making brownies. On Sunday night we used a drum oven which you place over a fire to cook with. The brownies turned out pretty good for using the drum oven for the first time. I think it took a little over 25 mins to cook. I have no idea how hot the fire was but we kept it stoked and burning the whole time. That was a one person job alone.

John tending to the drum oven

FYI: Where am I?

For the technical minded folks, here are my GPS coordinates +/- 20 feet.

S          05.09.567

E          145.45.067

Your best option would be input these coordinates into Google Earth. I am located about 1300′ above sea level and northwest of Madang.

Prayer Requests:
– Country of Papua New Guinea
(Political, Economical, Educational)
– Spiritual Warfare maintenance:
I was reminded this week that I am enrolled on the frontline of the battlefield. The enemy wants to attack my weapons (bible reading, devotion, prayer, etc.).
– Wasfamili
Courage, strength and knowledge to speak and converse with family
– Learning Tok Pisin
– Learning Culture

Praises:
Good Health
God’s Faithfulness

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Driving up the mountain to NobNob (1200′ elevation), building a haus kuk, and living arrangements.

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Gude bruta na susa. Yupela stap orait? (Good day brother and sister. How are you?)

Today, we visited the village church nearby POC. POC is apart of the NobNob community and the church is a short quarter mile walk. The church has a bell ringing system of three rings. First ring, time to get ready for church. Second ring, time to start to go to church. Third ring, church is starting. Since PNG is an event orientated culture things do not start at a specific time. White skins are very much time orientated people. We are driven at an early age to be prompt and on time for school, dinner, ball practice, and bed time. Here in PNG they are all about relationships. People mean more than anything else and if church doesn’t start exactly at 10 am then so be it.

This past week I continued to learn Tok Pisin and had my first dialogue to memorize and recite to my teacher. There are a total of 6 dialogues that all students must memorize. Tomorrow we will be going to the town market with our Tok Pisin teacher to buy a few food (kaikai). The kitchen cook is giving us a list of items to buy. This will be another learning lesson on how to buy in the market and using our Tok Pisin that we are learning. FYI: You can’t barter for food that is being sold in the market but you can barter for non-food items such as clothing. There are also 400 different types of bananas but no matter which kind it is they are all simply called – bananas.

Other words:
rokrok – frog
pukpuk – crocodile
kakaruk – chicken
kokonas – coconuts
ananas – pineapple
popo – papaya

We also went swimming this past week and I swam 1600 meters or 1 mile. It was not a timed event so you could go at your leisure. Water are nice but not much of a reprieve from the heat. Water temps are low to mid 80s, I assume.

Saturday was a big day and that we constructed our ‘haus kuk.’ A haus kuk or kitchen is typically outside the home where all the meals are prepared. All materials were gathered for us plus the ‘sail’ or blue trap for rain/sun protection. Most materials were bamboo and sago which was used to build the table top. It is actually from the grass family. The ‘wokman’ or workmen built a demo on Thursday which took them 45 mins from start to finish. Saturday it took me and John (roommate) 6 hrs + to construct a full haus kuk. Later on in the course (next weekend) we will be responsible for cooking all meals with open fire and eat in our haus kuk.

Overall, things are going well. I am learning lots. I am feeling good about myself from this morning church service. I think I was able to pick up a good portion of the main words from the service. We had a chance to introduce ourselves at the end of the service and everyone did an excellent job with their 1 week of Tok Pisin. The church was Lutheran and had the typical readings and many prayers. They ended the service with ‘tok save’ announcements and praying the Lord’s Prayer.

I can’t say I miss the arctic temps in Alaska or anywhere else in the continental US. I heard another winter storm slammed the Midwest. It is pretty hot here at least when the sun is out. It was 95 in the direct sunlight Thursday afternoon. It cools down to 78 overnight which is welcomed but still warm.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Keep praying for me and all participants here at the Pacific Orientation Course. Check out my online photo gallery for pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/thewitt05

Prayer Requests:
Learn Tok Pisin
Learn culture/anthropology

Praise:
Good Health

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As I wrap up my brief time in HOT Madang this week, I am leaving the city for the hillside of NobNob. I am beginning a 14 week orientation period where 8 weeks I will be living in a church camp style location learning culture, anthropology, language, and customs of the land. 5 weeks following I will be in a village putting to practice skills I learned. The final week will be debriefing back at NobNob.

I want to preface, that my internet functionality and availability will be very limited for the next few months. I understand there is a very slow, like a dial-up connection available to all participants. Understand I will still have internet and best communication will be email. I can’t promise weekly blog posts or updates. I will be capturing photos and journaling my adventures.

Continue to pray for me and keep me in your thoughts. I am honored to hear the many reports and comments that you are praying for me. There is great work to be completed here. Please pray for the team and the transition/change that is amidst the group. Pray that God will give the team a resilient attitude and an act of humility for the service of our Lord.

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My first video from PNG. I wanted to capture my Trans-Pacific journey from Alaska to PNG. I had stops in Seattle, Tokyo (Narita), Port Moresby before my final destination in Madang. Sorry it is a bit long but I hope you find it enlightening.

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I arrived to Madang 8:55 AM local time with all baggage undamaged. My Trans-Pacific flight went without error or delay. My day started at waking up at 5 AM (Fri Jan 21) in Anchorage, AK. My first flight of 4 departed at 7:30 AM for Seattle. I had a one hour layover and by the time I disembarked the first flight and took 3 trams at Sea-Tac Intl Airport I arrived to the gate during pre-boarding. I had to go to the ticket counter to get a Delta ticket and they asked for return ticket which I had a one way ticket. Fortunately I had documentation stating that I was continuing on by way Tokyo to Papua New Guinea. The flight left on time (A330-300) for the 5,000 mile journey to Japan. I originally had a window seat and the seat arrangement for (2-4-2). Since there were approx 60 open seats, I preferred to find a open seat for comfort. I found a seat near the rear of the aircraft for the long 10 hr journey. Every seat had a TV monitor. Everything was free: drinks, movies, meals, etc. The first meal included a shrimp cocktail, salad, roll, and beef/noodle with sauce entrée. My first movie was The Social Network, then Grown Ups, and finally Despicable Me. The mid-flight snack was a pleasant ice cream sandwich and drink. The pre-arrival meal was a simple sandwich wrap and fruit. Overall, the flight went smooth. The wide arrangement of movies and viewing made the pleasurable flight easier.

Upon arrival to the gate in Tokyo (Narita), I heard a familiar name over the aircraft PA system. I assumed it was my name and my mind started to wonder what could be wrong. Once I walked off the plane, I found a gate agent holding a piece of paper titled, Mr Tyler Hewitt. The woman told me, that my connection with Air Nuigini will be out of Terminal 1 not Terminal 2. I was also confused with should I go to the final destination immigration line or connection immigration line. My problem was Japan is not my final destination but it was my Delta flight final destination. So where do I go? I was instructed to follow the yellow signs for connection immigration. I made it to the immigration counter and asked for my documentation which Delta did not give me on the flight. So I had to fill out a document which I did not know what information was needed. It asked how long is my stay in Japan. I was thinking I am staying 4 hrs, I am in transit. The immigration agent properly stamp my passport with a 90 day stay. I picked up my baggage, cleared customs without hassle. Now I am standing outside the airport and free to roam the country of Japan. Now back to where is my gate, terminal 1 or 2. I have no idea where anything is plus this huge TV projection of Sumo wrestling was distracting along with the Japanese language signs. I found an information counter which I find no help in the USA but traveling internationally they are great help. They told me conflicting information about my next flight. They told me Terminal 2 is where my flight is located and I need to take Bus 6 to Terminal 2. So, I did what the information agent told me. I found Bus 6 stop and got on the bus when it stopped. I arrived to Terminal 2 international departure bus stop. Now I need to find out where to go next. I go inside and I don’t see any ticket counter. Once again I have to ask the friendly information counter where is the Air Nuigini ticket counter. All they could communicate to a non-speaking Japanese speaker was 3 fingers and pointing up. So I quickly gathered it was on the 3rd floor. Nonetheless, I finally made it to the Air Nuigini flight counter at 6 pm and it didn’t open until 6:30 pm. I waited patiently begin a group of surfers with 10 surf boards on baggage carts. I checked both bags to Port Moresby and worked my way to the security checkpoint. Again immigration stamped my passport thus leaving the country. I found a wireless internet cafe and was able to quickly check email, Facebook, etc. My flight was delayed 1 hr and by this time my body is thinking it is 2-3 am Alaska time. I was fearful to take a nap and miss my connection to PNG. I stayed awake and finally boarded my flight to Port Moresby. The 6.5 hr flight on the 767 was about to begin.

My thinking was a good redeye flight and a chance to catch some sleep before I arrived in Madang to see bright-eyed folks eager to greet me. Two American guys sat cross aisle from me and every talkative and excited. I sensed an alcohol induced state and I was right. I wanted to sleep so I fell asleep soon after take off. I missed the dinner served however cherishing my rest. During my three-hour nap I remember waking every few hours to these two gentleman ordering alcohol. I was finally awakened by these two gentleman swearing, talking loud, and getting up and down very frequent. My nightmare has come true. Two drunk guys are on my flight that I am seating next too. One of them was harassing the woman in front of him and the flight attendant demanded the drunk to seat down and put on seat belt. The captain was notified and is aware of this incident. As I looked at our location we were 36,000′ and flying over Guam. I thought if this gets out of hand where in the world would the captain put this plane down? Make the long story longer, the two guys finally passed out and one of them rolled out of his seat and ended up on the floor spawned out. One of the male flight attendants had to pick the man up off the floor himself. The drunk had no functionality or motor skills at this time. The plane landed safely and without further incident. Overall, I slept 3 of the 6 hrs.

I had no problems once again at immigration in Port Moresby, gathered my baggage and cleared customs. I was able to check my baggage at the transit domestic counter to Madang. I had 2 hr layover before my 8:00 am flight to Madang. The short 1 hr flight to Madang was nice and easy and quick comparable to the previous 3 flights. We landed 5 mins early to partly sunny skies and a very warm 80+ degree day at 8:55 am. I was greeted with 6 white skinned PBT staff. One of them brought me hot coffee which I accepted. I knew I would get along good with this person.

I wasn’t too tired but my brain and mental capacity was waning. I got a shower, snack, and a greeting. There was a commitment at 1:30 pm for a welcome / BBQ party with all staff. We had hamburgers, chicken, baked beans, fruit, desserts, etc. All the necessary items of a traditional American BBQ. It was a great welcome even though my mind was near capacity or mental functionality. I finally made it to 6 pm and crashed. The place I am staying does not have A/C so it is very hot for my standard. It was 91 degrees when I went to bed with the ceiling fan on high. My God’s power I got a good 11 hr sleep. I woke once at 1 am to check the clock.

This week is the PBTPNG Annual General Meeting. It runs Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30. I am learning lots about the branch and the challenges that are ahead. The branch is facing transition and change. I know God is in control and I know the plans and future are in his amazing hands.

Prayer Requests:
Adjustment to PNG
POC – starting Friday I will be engaged in culture, language, and custom learning for the next 14 weeks

Praise:
Safe arrival in country

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As I enter my last week of standing on Freedom Soil of the USA it is an Arctic 4 degrees with windchill -7. I think I am safe to say that I will gladly exchange the frozen temps for a topical 85 degrees south of the Equator.

The church gave me an excellent ‘sending service’. One of the songs we sang was ‘Here I Am, Lord.’ The lyrics to the songs we sang today have power and strong meaning. We often sing songs and never quite fully comprehend the meaning we are saying. The pastor allowed me a few minutes to say a few things to the church. I chose to reflect on how God has changed my life by offering advice and keys to knowing and doing God’s will in your life. I reflected on my life verse of Luke 9:23 and how we are called to deny yourself, pick up your cross daily, and follow Christ. The most powerful experience was the closing prayer and laying of hands on me, the missionary. I was overwhelmed by the love and prayers from my church family. They have promised to uplift me in prayers.  One other blessing, my aunt and uncle came to church to show their support and love for me.

My plan for the next three days is to finalize my move thus packing my worldly belongings into storage and moving out of my apartment. I also need to pack for 18 months and try not to forget the essentials of life. I have a list of items of things not to forget and things to purchase before leaving. My mind continues to scroll like a secretary flipping through the rolodex. The need to bring technology, laptops, media, software, and data are things I must not forget. So please pray for remembrance as I pack and leave for PNG.

I really believe and have been telling myself that my world is about to be changed radically. My prayer is that I am just ready for this new shock to my system. Pray that I will adopt the culture, land, people, and team in PNG. Pray that I will be an influence and a new breathe of fresh air to the missionaries. My overall role will be a support worker. Pray that God will empower me to serve with humility and grace. I was told from a former missionary to bring many buckets of grace with me to the mission field. I truly know that I am covered with prayer and Satan is trying to attack every moment.

Prayer Requests:
Remembrance for packing
Safe travel to PNG

Praises:
Wonderful sending church family
God’s provision of my needs

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Ah…year 2011! You ask what is different, well many states have implemented new laws, many people have resolutions, but to be honest nothing has changed but a single number. The 0 rolled over to a 1. A new decade, the years of ‘aught’ are over. I personally don’t believe in new year resolutions simply because in a matter of weeks you will more than likely forget and return to old habits. I tend to set daily resolutions to the tune of die to self. We are called to die to self and live for Christ not yearly but daily. If I have to have a new years resolution, I change it to a daily resolution to die to self and live a life centered on Christ.

During Sunday School this past Sunday an open discussion was started on the church of Laodicea. The church of Laodicea is known as the last church of the seven churches described in Revelation 2-3. The church of Laodicea is better known as the ‘lukewarm’ church. (But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! Rev 3:16) Some biblical scholars place the church of today with the seventh church of Laodicea. Many parishioners do not assume the responsibility that Christians are called to – obedience. Many are ‘lukewarm.’ God would rather you be hot or cold (on or off) but not in the middle. I guess the classifications are many or infinite but one category could be Sunday Christians and C & E Christians. You know; the type that called themselves followers of Christ from 9 – 12 on Sunday morning. But the story does not end there, Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends. Rev 3:20 There is hope, God is here, standing and knocking. The choice is yours, you must open the door. We serve a merciful and very gracious God but yet a just God. Maybe this new year God is knocking at your door, will you open the door and live for Christ?

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The countdown has begun: T – 19 days. My departure is set for Jan 21. The process of packing, moving, gathering, and tie up loose ends has begun. Need to find a place to store my kayak, Jeep, belongings, and pick up my mail are a few things on the list.

I did receive a pleasant piece of mail this past week all the way from PNG. It was from the folks at the Pacific Orientation Course (POC) letting me know they are praying for my safe arrival. The simple post gram was dated Nov 23 (5 week delivery). I will be at the POC for 14 weeks learning the Pacific culture, customs, dos/don’ts, language, and lifestyle. Part of the course will be living in a village setting for 4 weeks. I look forward to the orientation and learning about the way of living in the Pacific island country.

Prayer Requests:
Smooth moving process of packing and transition

Praises:
All my big three needs have been met in full
(Work Permit, Visa, and Financial Support)

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If you want to say Happy Holidays you must not forget today is Kwanzaa. So…Happy Kwanzaa!

I hope you found Joy this Christmas as now we can start counting the days until next Christmas or 364 more days.  This Christmas was cold and dark as I stayed in the frozen state of Alaska. On the way to Anchorage for Christmas Eve temps fell to -23 along the highway. When your nostril hairs freeze for being outside in 1 minute you know it is bitter cold. Nonetheless, I survived and yet another testimony that yes it is tougher in Alaska.

As we remember the birth of Christ and celebrate love, joy, forgiveness, and peace we must look forward to the new year in just 6 short days. 2011! Wow, time marches on. As time marches so does the date that I will be leaving. I look forward to be leaving the frigged temps to warmer topical climate near the equator. I am still working with the travel agency but it appears I will be leaving on the morning on Jan 21.

This past week was highlighted with the spectacular full lunar eclipse and witnessing the moon turn to an amber red before returning to a bright white full moon. Last time that a full lunar eclipse happened on winter solstice was in 1638. If the magi had a full moon as we experienced it, they would have been a great benefit as they traveled by night to the manger in Bethlehem. Christmas was shared with relatives and cousins over a ham and the side fixings. Of course, I went home with a gut plug that was righteous.

Of course New Years always bring light to New Years Resolutions. Let me challenge you this 2011 to ask what are you expecting God to do in your life in 2011? If you expect him to do a lot, God can do a lot. If you expect him to do a little, God can do a little. If you don’t expect him to do anything, he won’t do anything. But we must seek his kingdom first (Matt 6:33). We must seek God’s purpose and plan and righteousness for our lives, and that requires that we give him our trust. Ask God to help you give your trust entirely to him this coming year, and then watch what he does in your life.

Prayer Requests:
Purchase of airfare and tickets

Praises:
100% of Financial Support
Work Permit – obtained
Resident Visa – received 2 weeks ago

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The 4th Sunday of Advent and the last Sunday before Christmas…what does that mean? We get to sing your favorite Christmas carols one last time. I’m not sure what your line-up was but we sang songs:  What Child is This?, Silent Night, O Come O Come Emmanuel, The First Noel, and O Holy Night. I got to thinking what does Noel mean? I researched the meaning and origin of Noel. Here is what I’ve found:

Noel is believed to be either English or French word. The English claim the French stole it from them in 1800s because Noel means Christmas in French. The First Noel was a traditional English Christmas carol wrote in the 1700s. Noel in Latin means ‘birth’. So what I have gathered is Noel means Christmas, birth. We celebrate Christmas (Noel) as the first birth of a king whom we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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This past week has been another week worthy of praise. On Friday I received my visa and passport back from the embassy in D.C. Thank you for your prayers as the process went quick, smooth, and without error. I now am cleared for entered into the country. Work Permit – Check. Visa – Check. Financial Support – Check.

This week my charge will be to find airfare. PBT requires at least 90% total support commitment before you can purchase airfare. I have surpassed that amount and have all government required documents so I have been granted approval of purchase of airfare.

Prayer Requests:
– Airfare: good quotes and itineraries for travel to Papua New Guinea
– Preparation of moving and packing

Praises:
– Work Permit and Visa were accepted, approved, and obtained
– Financial support is over 100% (Praise God)

(I remember a few other points on my previous yet lost post but the highlights I have remembered. Plus this week you get a bonus video of a short winter hike in Alaska.)

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