Sick, Pitimhan, and Oreos

July 4, 2010

                Well I woke up sick this morning. I was not able to attend the church service. I do not understand why I have to be sick when I am already hurt as it is. I slept most of the morning and early afternoon. Later though I felt I had enough energy to go map the camp. I then slept the rest of the day.

                That evening I got up for awhile to have some homemade fireworks. I know it sounds dangerous, but it was so much fun and I do suggest you try it at home. You take a long piece of wire, put some steel wool on the end, set it on fire and spin it around. Also, when you put bamboo in the fire and it gets hot enough it will explode and make a really loud noise. The evening was ended by the singing of a few songs.

July 5, 2010

                Most of the day I rested for the evening church service. People from surrounding villages came for a time of singing and a message. Our group performed five songs and a skit of the prodigal son. One thing that I remember that happened throughout the service is that between every performance we gave the glory to God. The pastor would call out “pitim han,” “one, two, three,” and we would clap our hands three times. The other groups that shared sang songs that we learned from our family a few nights ago and one group sang a song by Casting Crowns. It was a wonderful time spent together worshipping God, but it went so late and all of us were tired. I was still feeling sick.  

July 6, 2010

                Still really sick today, but I didn’t want to anymore than I already have so I decided to go with the team to climb a smaller mountain. It was a very bad idea, but I never realized how strong of a person I am. I slept once at the top of the cliff while everyone else made paper airplanes to see how far they could go. For a short time after returning I was up just to eat some Oreo’s because seriously if something sold in America is sold in PNG, then it’s good. While in town Dunc was able to get me some antibiotics so hopefully I will be feeling better soon. 

Gombok and Healing Roots

July 3, 2010

                This was the morning most of the group climbed a mountain (Togama). I was not able to go but I was invited to do something else. Wimai’s only daughter, Gombok, invited me to her house because she wanted to do some herbal treatment on my knee. Her house was down a very steep hill that Bea, Wimai’s daughter in-law, helped me down every step of the way. There were several members of our family there to help set up a small mumu and watch the therapy. Gombok rolled juice from the plant and rubbed it up and down my knee. After she finished part of the root was left on the plant and she told me she was going to replant it and as the plant re-grows my leg will heal. I am not sure how effective that will be, but my leg has been doing much better. I now wonder though, what happens if the plant gets cut down or dies…? Gombok made lunch for us and afterwards Ellen and I shared our stories about our families, jobs, school, and hobbies and interests.

                I may have strep throat. I feel very sick and have the symptoms. I went to bed early that night hoping I would feel good enough for church this morning. 

Pit Pit and Belums

July 2, 2010


The houses are made from cut and smashed bamboo. They use a sharp stick, knife, or a piece of glass to cut the bamboo and then flatten it with a rock. We spent the morning learning how to weave the bamboo to make pit-pit, which is what their houses are partly made out of. Once the weaving started things became really crowded so a few of us played with the kids nearby learning how to make images using rubber bands. I learned how to make a butterfly, airplane, and star. The time spent with the children is so enjoyable and the hard life that they have makes them lay heavy on my heart. These are God’s children and they are very special and important to me.

Later that afternoon some of us girls tried to make belums, which was extremely hard for me. Everything I did without Wati helping she would undo and redo for me. It was quite hilarious. There was no disappointment on my heart because it’s something they have been doing since they were young girls and takes awhile to perfect. Mary and Dunc’s daughter Leah bought some gifts for Wati’s daughter Leah (who was named after Leah Pfantz) and she also bought some gifts for Wimai. Wimai became very sad because she misses Leah and Megan, Emily, and I all reminded her of Leah because of our long dark hair and around the same age. It was really touching to see how much Leah and her care about each other despite their differences. They had become family, forever connected.

That evening we didn’t walk back until after dark and Young Paul held my hand the whole way to make sure I made it back safely without falling. I love how everyone here always wants to help without being asked. It is because they care about us and are living the way a true Christian should just as Jesus did.

Disappointment and the Milo Incident

July 1, 2010


After breakfast the morning was spent listening to Peter and Wimai share their life story. They had both attended school at a young age and met working in the same place. They did marry for love, which is not too common in PNG. Many women are bought for a bride price by the groom and his tribe. Often times the woman is bought by a tribe that speaks a different language then her own and has to move far away from her family. Another older man shared as well about all the fighting and showed us a few of the weapons that would be used. They used mostly spears and arrows made from wood, but they were very effective.

In the afternoon we did some language learning and walked to Seatin to play basketball or soccer with the children. I was not able to play, but Emily, Ellen, and I had a group of children gathered around us so we started asking questions of the children and working on some more translation with them.

That evening we were invited to attend a baby dedication. I was not able to go because it had started raining as we were leaving Seatin and never stopped all night. I was very disappointed I could not go because the path would have been too slippery and on top of that it was dark. I really do not like listening to all the things I cannot do. Despite my disappointment the evening was still enjoyable spent with Mary, Tracy, Ellen and Levi. Mary read us a story and Tracy made us Milo, which is a hot chocolate drink. Ellen has a severe allergy to gluten and Tracy did not realize there was a barely ingredient in the chocolate mix that made Ellen very sick for a day. We now joke about the Milo incident.

Market, Martin, Memories

June 30, 2010


The days here are perfect, but the nights are terribly cold at this altitude. Our day began at 6 a.m. with breakfast. After breakfast we split up into four groups to shop in local markets along the mountain side roads. Mary, Emily, and I and we had the shortest distance to go because of my leg. We were the only group who got to set up their own spot to sell things. We sold Kuman Bibles, Jesus films, and posters of the 10 commandments. Mary let Emily and I do most of the shopping so we could practice the language.

Every afternoon was spent doing quiet time going through the devotional we were given, taking naps, or spending quality time with the people. I was giving devotions later that night, so I prepared that before going out and playing with the children. I also had the privilege of holding a four month old baby named Martin. Later I helped Mama Wimai prepare dinner for the team, peeling sweet potatoes. Mary came with me helping me understand all that was being said and asked. By the time all the food was ready to cook I had become Wimai’s daughter and Peter’s sister who was also there told me I was a nice girl and Rachelle was a good name. While the food was being cooked Mary and I enjoyed sitting and listening to our family talk in their mother tongue and Gabi was playing his guitar in the background. One observation I have already had is that every time we enter the bush house every one of our team members is given a place to sit other than the ground. We were given these small handmade stools or small tree stumps to sit on.

That evening all of Mama and Papa’s children, daughter and son in-laws, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and grandchild came to our temporary home to sing and pray together as one big family. They sang 10 or more songs and we jumped in if we could because some songs were in English. By the end of the trip we were able to sing all of their songs, whether in English, Kuman, or Tok Pisin. Our team sang five songs. While in California we had learned this song in Swahili from Tracy and the people loved it. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Pari

June 29, 2010


The next morning we explored the town of Kundiawa. We did some shopping for food and supplies for staying in the village. People everywhere, always staring, following, and wanting us to buy their stuff. I would say six of one of their stores could fit inside one of our Wal-Mart’s. There were few choices of each item, unlike Wal-mart, where you have 20+ choices of shampoo. They are very crowded, stuff is sometimes piled high, and their seemed to be a somewhat random organization. If we entered a store ten or more people would follow making the place even more crowded. They all wanted to see what we would buy. When checking out at one of the stores the cashier gave me her cell phone number and I gave her my address because she asked if I would be her pen pal.

We then made our way back to the hotel to check out, load up our stuff, and head up the mountain 5,000 ft to Pari village. Every child we passed excitedly waved to us and some even chased after our trucks for a few feet. We made a couple stops along the way to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. During one of these times a group of about three or four ladies came running up to us waving a digital camera in the air. They asked if we would take a picture with them, it was quite hilarious. The truck ride was quite enjoyable, bouncing along the rugged mountain roads with no seat belts.

It was about an hour and a half when we finally arrived in the village to meet the Pfantz’s family of 20 years. Everyone was so happy to see them. It had been two years since they left after the dedication of the New Testament. Most of the women were crying and holding onto Dunc, Mary, and Levi. After awhile they hugged all of us. After the tears stopped flowing, we moved into our temporary home. It was the home that belonged to the Pfantz’s after they had lived there around four years. It contained three bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, laundry room, study, and a bathroom (with a shower and toilet!). The guys were given bush house to sleep in that belongs to mama and papa. Once settled, Emily, Megan, and I headed to Mama Wimai and Papa Peter’s house to help prepare for dinner. We did our best to talk with them, but most of the time was spent listening to the family talk to each other. All of our meals were cooked over a fire and it almost always included sweet potatoes.

After dinner the evening was spent sharing our observations of the culture on our first day, what our impressions were, we also had devotion time, singing, and praying. Before heading to bed we went out and enjoyed the night sky, which contained more stars than anyone in American or a highly polluted place could even imagine.

Expect the Unexpected

June 28, 2010


If you don’t know how the International Dateline works then you may be wondering why I didn’t write on the 27th. Because of the huge time difference we lost a day. No wonder we are so tired! We had a few troubles along our journey. While in Brisbane, Australia many of us did not have a boarding pass to fly Air Nugini, and no one knows how that could have happened. Mary, Dunc, and Tracy got everything figured out and we were on the flight to Port Morseby, Papua New Guinea.

Off the airplane, we were greeted by scorching heat and men singing and playing instruments, wearing Hawaiian style shirts. I was escorted by wheelchair so I was able to cut the huge lines for visa and passport checks. When Ellen and I arrived at the check-in area there was a young girl passed out on the floor. The mother was not sure if she was breathing and she began yelling out. Thankfully there was a doctor present who came to help and I gave up my wheelchair when they had decided it was okay for her to move and receive further help.

After some time of waiting in line, not finding all the luggage, and going through yet again another security check we finally made it into the country we have been dreaming about for months. We were then taken by vans to another part of the airstrip to board a very small plane called a Twin Otter. It was so awesome! We enjoyed the bumpy hour and a half ride laughing, joking, and taking pictures of the many mighty mountains below. Mid flight, the course was changed. We were supposed to land in Ukarumpa, where dinner, a hot shower, and friends of the Pfanz’s were expecting our arrival. Because planes are not allowed to fly after 6 p.m. we had to land in Kundiowa, where we stayed in a hotel for the night. For being an unexpected landing, there were many people gathered at the airstrip with curious stares welcoming us. We each found our rooms hooked up with a small T.V. and mini fridge and then made our way to the dining room for supper. The room was beautifully painted with a jungle mural. I think we waited two hours for our food. Some had chicken, some had steak, and it was well worth the wait. What really stood out to me that first night, and you will hear me say this again, was the kindness of their hospitality and service to us. They did not have any tea to serve us, which we weren’t expecting anything more than water, but they went to town anyways and bought it just for us. To me that was a blessing and the tea was so good I bought some and brought it home.

Despite the excitement of finally being in PNG and enjoying the food and company of one another our tiredness could not be ignored any longer so we went to bed, sleeping to the sound of voices in the night, a goat, the birds of paradise, and light jungle rain.

PNG at Last!

June 26, 2010


It is our last morning in Azusa, California and it is no less beautiful than the days before, but it is the day we leave for Papua New Guinea! Part of the morning was spent on the beach by LAX. To reach this wonderful place I went down a cliff on my bottom and no one was going to stop me, not even the cliff. The ocean breeze and the sting of salty water is none like I have ever felt before. The beauty of the waves and reflections of blue are not like the mountains or sky scrapers. The warm sand between my toes, I watch my team members follow and run from the tide; back and forth.

Trying not to think about saying goodbye to our family and friends we head for the airport and after some time board, flying Air New Zealand. The long hours were spent watching “How to Train your Dragon” and attempting sleep. From New Zealand we flew to Brisbane, Australia and finally to the place we have been dreaming about for months, Papua New Guinea.

Total Vision

June 22-25, 2010


This week was all about the Total Vision Conference. We began learning basic linguistics and how linguistics is applicable to Bible translation, which is in every way, shape, and form. We also did language learning. The members of the GET Global team began learning “tok pisin.” This is the trade language of PNG. Every member of the conference participated in various skits and we had a great time of team building guiding and supporting each other through obstacles.

The 24th was my orthopedist appointment with Dr. Hanes. I was given a “bionic leg” that allowed me to have better use of my leg. Dr. Hanes is my favorite person in the world because I was able to go on the trip!

"Are you Expecting?"

June 21, 2010


Today I spent most of my time in the emergency room having x-rays and a CT scan. I found it quite amusing when the radiologist asked me if I by any chance could be pregnant. I said no, but she continued to question me on the subject, so finally I said, “I have never had sex before so it’s not possible.” She was quiet real quick. Maybe it was not appropriate to say it so bluntly in a Presbyterian Hospital.

The tests showed that I had a slight fracture of the tibia, and the little piece of bone that was slightly broken just happened to be attached to my ACL. I was scheduled to see an orthopedist as soon as possible so the decision if I could go on the trip or not could be made. Many people back home and all over the country have been praying for me. I know prayer is powerful and can do miraculous things, so I am hoping God’s answer is yes. I prayed in preparation for this trip that whatever it took for me to get closer to God I would do it, even if it meant having an injured leg and not going on the trip.

California Time

June 20, 2010


I am awake at 5:30 a.m. California time. The sounds of birds in the morning our different then home and the sun was up before 5 a.m. I am anticipating a hot and beautiful day. We will be walking thirty minutes to church later, now I have to get ready.

Well, I didn’t quite make it to church. Later this morning I fell out of a eucalyptus tree and fractured my tibia and it may result in not going on the trip  Mary wrapped me up in an ace bandage and Tracy drove us to the CVS pharmacy to buy me some crutches. We were able to attend part of the church service, but so I did not have to walk back, Tracy, Mary, Megan, and I left early after already being late. Mary and Tracy went to pick up Shalee who came into LA late, while Megan and I just went back to the school for lunch. Megan and I were the only two from our group at lunch. We met a man by the name of Mahesh from Nepal. He was our chef for the first part of the week and said he would be praying for my knee to be healed so I could go on the trip. Everyone else who stayed until the end of the service was invited by the church to join them for lunch.

I did not write anymore about this day due to being upset about my injury and feeling pretty week from using crutches everywhere. I believe that evening we had our first team meeting with all of us present.

Start of Travels

June 19, 2010


Dark and early I wake up to leave on the most anticipated day of my summer. It is 6 a.m. and my family and I are heading for the airport, first stopping for breakfast, and then meeting my grandmothers before printing my tickets and locating my gate. It is sometime after 8 a.m. and my plane has been reported delayed, but nothing can damper my mood because I don’t care as long as I make it to California 

By 9:15 a.m. I am saying goodbye to my family and walking towards security to find another seat where I wait another half hour before finally boarding the plane to Chicago. Flying above Lake Michigan I can see fish swimming below and the man next to me is on his way to Hawaii with his family. The cool thing about meeting him was that he is Bethel’s volleyball coach’s brother. Many on our flight were quite frustrated, including myself and my fellow “Bethelite” alumni because we were all going to miss our connection flights because of the delay.

Yes, I missed my flight to LA, but no worries because I am on the next flight in that direction making a connection in Colorado Springs first. Flying above the Rockies, the Grandest Canyon of them all, and terrain not like what I have seen before from sky or ground makes me feel like I am seeing the world from God’s eyes. The world must seem small to God, but to me the horizon never ends. I have seen so many wondrous beauties today.

L.A. is the city of something or other, but from what I can tell it should be traffic and who knows. Gloriel was car sick and had quite a bonding experience with Megan who had the joy of being upchucked on. Michael paid a quarter to use the restroom, and Dunc and Mary’s son Levi thought the place we stopped at for water was called armpit. I think we all may of just been a little jet lag and dehydrated.

Well, we have made it to Azusa Pacific University about 2…maybe 3 hours late to meet the person with our room keys. While a few of our team stayed behind to receive the keys the rest of us went out to a fast food place called B-man’s teriyaki and burgers. It was actually quite excellent for fast food and the first place we stopped. I would give it a four out of five.

Now it’s time for bed in our plastic beds…but at least there is no dirt floor and bugs yet. Not sure what to expect in PNG.

A Beautiful Life

Many things were not as expected that occurred on this mission from God. I did not expect to break my leg, make really good relationships with everyone on the team, be welcomed as family by the village people, and constantly be served by them. I did not expect to have such a hard time with the language, get strep throat, take a hot shower eventually, and eat lasagna and pizza, also ice cream. Last but not least, I did not expect not wanting to leave Papua New Guinea. It has become home to me. My heart is with these people. I cannot imagine how anyone could come back to the states. How have I not heard of this country until this past year? I have never met Christians so Christ like. Most of the people have very little, yet they offered us the best of what they had and have more love for family and strangers then imaginable to ever be found in America. Christ is at the center of everything they say and do. They say they have nothing compared to us, and that’s true materialistically, but the way they live is so much more beautiful. I don’t think there is any other way to live more humbly. I love the people of Papua New Guinea. I want them to be a part of my life forever. I’m not sure I can wait until heaven.

Late Night Thoughts

Everyday my life changes for the better. Every day I feel happy, kinder towards others, loosened, more confident in myself and Savior, remember more good things and less of the bad, and I learn something new about my God. I don’t think there will ever be a day where I am exactly the same person. I want to live each day to the fullest and make it all about God and his Glory.
Six days ago I started my Bible study to prepare me for my trip to Papua New Guinea, which I leave for in 15 days. It is called The Road Less Traveled and it has been blessing my life and has got me thinking intensely about my prayer life. Sometimes I don’t want to pray because I’m not ready to let go of what I am holding onto and trying to keep from God. Sometimes I forget how big God is and don’t trust that he can take care of my problems and needs. I think I know better than God, which I don’t. I have been praying a lot because I want to keep my focus on Him and his kingdom. I know he will give me my desires, if my desires are his. When I put all my trust in the Lord I know I will experience deliverance from my worries about this trip and other happenings in my life.

Worry is best described for me in Crazy Love. The book says, “It implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.” When I believe this lie, it’s like I try to convince myself that I have the right to disobey God because I think it’s too much for Him to handle.

I believe prayer is the key to all the changing I have been experiencing. It brings me deliverance, courage, and joy. I was reminded today, reading Crazy Love, that my life is only two-fifths-of-a-second that occurs between the time Jesus’ was resurrected and the time when we will all worship God on his throne. So, why waste the short time that I have all about me, when I know it should be all about glorifying God. I have been very selfish. I was created by God for God, not for myself. I need to glorify God, whether I am eating a sandwich, talking to a friend, or drinking coffee late at night because I forgot to study for a final the next day.

I no longer want to worry each day, especially not about the past. The past is gone and over. I am a new person striving for the one, and only thing that matters and then everything else should just take its place in God’s time. I want to wake up each morning with God on my mind; remembering where He has brought me and that He is with me always. I don’t know how I have ever gone a day without remembering that he is there and in control of all things. Why is He so easy to forget? Why on Earth does he love someone like me?

I will never have the answer to that last question. I guess the answer is that God loves you and me because He just does. We were created for Him and to love Him in return. Another thing that is coming to mind right now is that I want to love God not for only for what he has given me, but for who he is and what he has done for me.

As a final note, I want to share with you one of my favorite statements from Crazy Love tonight; “If life were stable, I’d never need God’s help. Since it’s not, I reach out for Him regularly, I am thankful for the unknowns and that I don’t have control, because it makes me run to God.” My prayer is that we will always run to Him and not be afraid of the unknowns.

Your Face is on a Billboard

Beautiful day by Bethel's pond, questioning the works and wonders of God. Why is this happening? Is it okay to fell this way? This is who I have planned for you flashes like a hillboard every time I see him. No way! I can't do this again, even though he has the biggest heart for you God. I want to know everything about him. He is truly one in a million. He does not really know who I am, but my heart is seeking your direction, God.

He is Right in Front of Me

The man of my dreams is right in front of me (the name is classified):

I want to be the one who knows everything about you
I want to be the one who is always on your mind
I want to be the one to get all of your affection and attention
You are the one I have been waiting for, for all this time
And I can't imagine anything, anything better than

Someday falling in love with you
Holding your hand
Making our plans all come true
Someday under a sky so blue
I will give you my heart
Our story will start someday soon

I wanna be the one who does everything with you
Watching stars, washing cars, taking walks, going to the store

I wanna be the one who gets to change her last name someday
To something that sounds more like yours

Yeah I will be telling you I love you
On a picture perfect day
And those words inside my head
They sound like angels singing praise
It's what I was made to say

Holiness

Such a powerful word isn't it? Holiness. Sergio, the speaker for this week's Deeper Life Conference has been speaking of it and says we can reach complete holiness, but only through Jesus Christ. I cannot imagine going around and telling people I am sanctified and holy because I am forgiven. I would feel as if I'm saying, "I'm perfect," which is something I know I will never be. Jesus tells us to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). My reaction to that verse has always been "what?" It seems so simple and it is. It is easy to ask for forgiveness from God, but what does it truly mean to be holy.

To be holy means to dedicate or devote to the service of God, the church, and your faith. You need to have pure quality. Now I know I will never be perfect or exactly the person God wants me to be until I enter heaven and become glorified. I honestly don't even know what to do with the word holy. I just feel that it will not be attainable until the end of my life.

Silence, written by Endo Shusaku is about mission work that took place in the 1630s in the country of Japan. At this time Christians were persecuted and missionaries were forbidden to enter the country. Many Christians gave up their lives because they would not deny their faith. If they were not killed first, they were imprisoned and tortured before put to death, usually in public. Many parents had to witness the murders of their children before their eyes and their home and village destroyed. Many Japanese Christians were peasants who already had nothing, but stood strong in their faith even though it was the one things forbidden. These people, like many in poverty, have nothing but God. They have nowhere to turn for hope besides God, yet they choose to believe in Jesus Christ.
Something that I have been challenged with is, would I be able to be persecuted or die for my faith? I think I could say yes, but it's so hard to answer because it's not something that I have had to worry about. The people that face death and persecution because of their belief have nothing but God to hold on to. It is also illegal and where I live I have the freedom and privilege of going to church without having to hide, read my Bible in public, go to a Christian school, and was able to grow up in a Christian home. I have never had to hid or be afraid of death or punishment for believing what I do. This really just tore at my heart and I have asked God for suffering. It seems like and awful thing to pray for, but I want whatever it takes for me to get a hold of him so tight that I won't ever let go, even if it means death.
I have so much, yet I fail to always look to God for help when in need. I often push him aside thinking I have everything under control when I really don't. Why don't I have to suffer for my belief? Why do I deserve the privileges of freedom?
Would I die for my faith? Yes, but would I truly be able to under torture or the threat of death for myself, family, and friends? I cry when I scrape my knee! I don't know if I could handle that kind of pain.
Matthew 10:32-39 says, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to turn man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law---a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." This means that I have to be willing to put my family in danger or deny them all for the name of Christ, or I will be denied before the Father.
When Jesus was beaten, questioned, and crucified for his faith he remained silent. If I ever face persecution for my faith I will remain silent and never deny who I am. My belief in Christ is the center of who I am and I can never give that up no matter how much I may suffer. I don't understand why others have to suffer when I don't, but I know that I am right where I was intended to be, right at the very center of God's love and purpose.