The Heat is Rising

New today from the other hemispere is all about numbers. Reading in the July 29th issue of the Salvationist I read "A crusade in the Port Moresby suburb of Morata-described by an occupant as 'the worst criminal-infested area in the city' - has resulted in 67 people accepting Christ as their personal Savior. Almost all the converts led lives of 'rascalism, alcoholism and adultery' and most youths are gang leaders, gamblers and drug addicts." This great evangelistic outreach came as the result of one resident opening her home to two young mothers and eight children a number of years ago. The fellowship has grown to a small church gathering of about 100 meeting under a tarpaulin each week on the hill behind her home. One young man, John Wemin, who himself was orphaned through tribal violence is now the youth leader and planning on attending The Salvation Army's training college in the future.

On another note...the temperature today is only 98 degrees - and it's the middle of winter!!!!!

Where in the World is PNG?

Some of you are still asking where is PNG? It is located just above Australia on the equator. It is a very hot and humid country where the temperature in the city rarely drops below 85. The country exports gold and copper, but in many ways it is a very poor country. We will be living in a suburb of Port Moresby which is the capital on the southern bay. There are presently no roads connecting either the north side of the island to the south, or the east to the west. Most villages are reached only by airplane or boat - so travel will definitely be interesting. I guess I better start practicing on the rowing machine!

The culture of Papua New Guinea is many-sided and complex. It is estimated that more than a thousand different cultural groups exist in PNG. Because of this diversity, many different styles of cultural expression have emerged; each group has created its own expressive forms in art dance costumes, and music. Almost every different cultural group has its own language.

Most people live in villages that rely on farming. Some people hunt and collect wild plant (yams is the favorite) to supplement their diet. As recently as 1933 (the year of my father's birth) they were still using seashells as their currency. In some villages, they are still used, especially in regards to a bride dowry. To get a bride, a groom must bring a certain number of golden-edged clam shells as a bride price. The people of the highlands engage in great ritual "sing sings". They paint themselves up with feathers, pearls and animal skins. I look forward with anticipation to enjoy this other part of God's creation and his children!

The Salvation Army Training College

#1 Front of School
#2 Cadet housing at the school.
#3 The side of the school

Today we received pictures of our new home on the other side of the world. To say we were relieved is an understatement. We had somehow imagined so much less- but God always has a way of surprising us. To discover also that they have computers and access also was some good updated news for us. They currently have 24 cadets (students) at the school with another full quota scheduled for next year when we arrive. We (us, the cadets and their children) all live on a five acre compound which is surrounded by fencing and barbed wire. It is obvious that these pictures were taken on one of the days it didn't rain in PNG. Please join us in prayer for the Ennis's who are the officers we are replacing. They are returning to Australia in December.

Welcome

Welcome to our PNG Communication site. We have just completed our Splice Training in Colorado Springs. Mission Training International was our home for the past three weeks. Here we met with 36 other future missionary friends traveling to every continent of the world. What a vision and what a privelege it has been. It hardly seems possible that it has been 14 years since we first felt the call to offer ourselves to the land beyond. Little did we know that it would take this long to get ready - but then it took the Apostle Paul that long too!

We have learned so much about our new land and realize how much more there is to know. We will head back to Suffern today to begin the sorting and packing process. Please feel free to stay in touch and remember us in prayer in these days of transition.