Tyler and Emily in PNG

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

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

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.

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.

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…

Last Monday was the observed day for the Queen of England’s birthday. Since Papua New Guinea falls under the rule of the Queen, we observed this holiday (2nd Monday of June). Come to find out her birthday is actually in April. Nonetheless, it gave me a reason to explore and see more of beautiful Papua New Guinea.

There is a nearby island, Krangket Island, that I wanted to explore. I heard a local resort/dive shop had kayaks you could rent. On Monday morning, me and two other PBT missionaries (Emily and Lindy) rented one double and one single kayak. We had our lunch packed in dry bags and our snorkel gear at the ready. We paddled over to the island passing kids trying to catch fish and others playing in the water. Of course, all interested in what these white people were going to do.

We arrived at the public use beach 45 minutes from leaving the resort. It felt so great to get back into a kayak even though this kayak and the surroundings do not compare to the fjords and glaciers that I am use to kayaking around. To say the least, it was therapeutic for my soul.

Shortly after arrival and thanking God for the Queen “God save the Queen,” I quickly found my snorkel, mask, and flippers. It was time to once again find Nemo. I thought there was only one Nemo but not to destroy your wishfully thinking there are many many Nemo’s in the blue ocean. Every time, I put my head under water, I am amazed at the colors and displays of creation. God knows every hair on my head, but does God know every single fish in the ocean? How foolish of me to ask. Every fish, no matter the size or color, God created. And yes, he created Nemo, too.

As relaxing as it was, my mind kept thinking of how this would be a perfect place to host a stop for the Amazing Race. The South Pacific is filled with beauty and grandeur. I take every moment to thank God for his provision and deliverance. I also must give thanksgiving and praise to the Queen. It is my honor to have this day off and celebrate it with you. I look forward to your next birthday and the adventure you will provide for me.

In case you were wondering, I had coffee and computer in hand at the office the next morning. Time to play and time to work. The challenge is being able to do both at the same time.

SERVING                            you can’t serve someone you do not understand.

UNDERSTANDING         you can’t understand others until you have learned about, from and with them.

LEARNING                        you can’t learn important information from someone until there is trust in the relationship.

TRUST                                 to build trust other must know that you accept and value them as people.

ACCEPTANCE                  before you can communicate acceptance, people must experience your openness – your ability to welcome them into your presence.

OPENNESS                        openness with people different from yourself requires that you are willing to step out of your comfort zone to initiate and sustain relationships in a world of cultural differences.

Note: Couple weeks ago I blogged a post on a book I recently finished, Cross-Cultural Servanthood. Over time, I will post entries from the book that has touched my life and changed my cultural mindset.

The process of servanthood (shown above) is in reserve order with serving being the last complete step in the process of servanthood. Servanthood starts with being open with people different than yourself.

All six steps of the process are crucial however I want to highlight acceptance and explore what the author (Duane Elmer) relates to us.

Acceptance is one of those goals that many of us chase daily. We value to be accepted by others. Who doesn’t want to feel accepted? Who enjoys the feeling of being rejected?

Acceptance is the ability to communicate value, worth, and esteem to another person.

The foundation of acceptance begins with God. Romans 15:7 states, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” However it is noted that acceptance is not approval. You can accept a person as they are and still not approve of their behavior, attitude, or motives. We are simply called to ‘accept one another.’ Why? Because Jesus accepted people.

Many people get hung up here. I can’t accept this person because I can’t see passed the (you fill in the blank or blanks). Let the author try to explain how he was introduced into perceiving others.

How do you perceive others? The author captures this moment:

I decided to join a colleague (Mark) who ministers to people by walking the streets of Chicago one night a week. We would arrive at 8 pm and slowly walk the same route each week until 3 am. One night, I noticed a lady at the corner who was scantily clad. I asked, “Is she a prostitute?” Mark paused, he replied firmly, “No! That’s not a prostitute. That’s a person in prostitution.”

What do you think Jesus would have seen? Mark saw the image of God in everyone in spite of their activity. He accepted this person in prostitution just as Christ would.

How do you perceive others? Do you see them with the eyes of Christ? Do you see the image of God in everyone in spite of their activity?

I am reminded of the song, “Open the Eyes of my Heart.” Do we really want God to open our eyes? Will we see others as God sees them?

Being in a developing country, I am challenged daily to accept people from a different culture. My prayer is that I may see others as God sees them. I may see the image of God is all mankind.

During my stay in the village for 5 weeks, I had the pleasure to attend village churches. I captured these three songs sung by the children in Tok Pisin.

Song Lotu 1

Song Lotu 2

Song Lotu 3

Sorry, no video post this week. I will record a special one next week. Enjoy the audio for now.

My daily bike route to work everyday takes me by the local town market.

Along with the main market where they sell carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, coconuts, etc there is a fish market located along the water. The fish are fresh from the ocean and placed on ice inside coolers.

On Monday I went to the market in the early afternoon with another PBT colleague for the fish market experience. As I walked the market, looking inside the coolers for fish it came to me that all the fish were the same but different sizes. All fish in the market that day were Yellow Fin Tuna. I had one previously so I picked out one for K15 or about $6.30 USD. Not a bad price for dinner.

As an experienced fillet master that I am from previous hard labor fishing camps in Alaska I skillfully filleted and marinated the boneless yellow fin for grilling. Of course the fish turned out excellent. I shared it with with Emily whom went to the market with me. Not being a fishy person herself, she was rather impressed by the savory yellow fin. I think we will have many more ‘fish on the barbie’ dinners.

However, I am starting to feel more and more homesick. As I was reading the online newspaper in Seward, AK I read reports of the generous and abundant salmon returning to Seward. Yes, right now is the prime season for Sockeye Salmon in Seward. Oh, how my mouth drips of drool for fresh, wild Alaskan salmon. I remember those hard days of pulling in my daily limit of six salmon. After filleting the red meat, I came home with 24 lbs of fresh fish. All is a days work. Thoughts and memories of Alaskan summers are starting to flood my mind daily. Oh, I long to be in Alaska for the beautiful summer days.