PNG hospitality

Sharing a dinner of mashed pumpkin and coconut with this family represented
the PNG hospitality we experienced from the entire community during our two
week visit. They not only shared their garden produce with us, but shared
their time and energy to make us feel welcome.

Bible study

For two mornings Doug lead a Bible study from the time of Noah to the time
of Abraham. (for men, woman and children) This was a continuation of the
Bible study he began in September. We hope to do a walk through the Bible
from the beginning to the end. We were excited to find a huge timeline in
Tok Pisin from Genesis through Revelation which Doug used in the study. It
created lots of interest. After the Bible study a small group of men stayed
to talk and ask questions. Here they are looking at the location of Mt.
Ararat on the globe.

Marbles

Soccer

Meeting

One of our goals was to meet with the translators and scripture in use men
and discuss goals for 2013. Not all are pictured here since some had to
walk further than others and so arrived late. We hope to do a recording of
the book of Mark on the audi-Bibles in late March. They also filled out
applications of workshops they would like to attend in 2013.

Alligators?

Noah and Tia have a great time in the village, but all I could think about
was whether there were alligators here. We were told they only attack when
they're hungry or guarding their young. That didn't exactly reassure me:)

Cocoa

Cocoa beans, one of the cash crops in PNG, is being dried in this cocoa
dryer.

Visiting the Gardens

Ugas took us to her garden. I'm amazed at the variety of things they can
grow, but everything has its own season too. Right now was the season for
cucumbers, watermelon, and mango so we ate a lot of that, but we also ate
corn, pumpkin, papaya, "snake beans", and plenty of greens. Yam and sweet
potato, one of their staple foods, was not in season right now.

Washing Place

With the heavy rains, the water at the bottom of the mountain is often dirty
and too high because water from a river backs up into the usual washing
spot, so clothes and dishes are brought higher up to be washed.

School and church

At the top of the mountain is a school attended by one of the translator's
children. A church is located in the same area.

Bamboo

Bamboo is cut and carried from the bush to be used in making walls of their
homes. It is cut into strips and woven together.

Return to Bafulo Village

Over Christmas break our family had the opportunity to return to Bafulo
village, to spend time with the community, explore the language area, and
meet with the national translators. Pictures never quite do justice to the
beauty of PNG.