Life at a Month and a Half
This week we have an assignment for you. (Yeah, I know, once a teacher, always a piece of work…) Before you start grumbling though, let me tell you, it is a really easy one.
Here it is:
Sometime this week, take a few moments to stop in a public place, and observe three random people. Try to discern, just by looking at them (taking into account the setting, time of day, and other factors) what they are up to. Yup, you read it right, be intentionally (and covertly) nosy. We bet that you will be able to tell what at least two of the three are up to (including some information about wealth, occupation, status, hobbies, religion, family affiliation, what their business is – maybe even food preferences.)
Why do you have that ability? You know your own culture. You know the typical patterns of life, how people interact, dress, connect, and go about business.
For us, here in Papua New Guinea, we begin with no idea what the typical patterns are. We have had to learn how to greet a passerby (and who not to greet). We have learned how friendships are begun and continued. We have begun to learn about what is important to people. We are learning what people notice. For instance, here in PNG, there is no perceived difference between a Rolex and a Timex (that one owns a watch at all is really something.) The same thing goes for clothing - it doesn’t matter if your clothes were born at The Gap or recovered from an alley behind the Shell station on 52nd street – if your pants extend to your ankles and your shirt has a collar (ok they need to be kinda clean too), you are dressed for business or church. Dreds (the hairstyle) along with a beard might indicate an affinity to reggae and/or Rastafarian life in the States, but here it means that somebody is mourning for a dear relative (important to know, no?).
At this point we are painfully aware of our cultural ignorance. People are always coming up to us and asking if they can help. It’s almost like we are followed around by a large neon sign that says something like ‘New to PNG, can’t buy a clue.’ Not only are we unsure of what is the appropriate thing to do in many situations, our Tok Pisin is also limited in scope. (‘Donde esta el bano?’ which has served us well in the past, just doesn’t cut it here.) At the same time, as we are out with folks, making friends, and spending time with people, we do see progress. We are so grateful for the friendliness and understanding of the people here. They are always ready to help us (and laugh with/at us).
Here are the things that you can be praying for this week:
• Effective practice time – we are busy just living life and taking opportunities to be out with the locals adding in time to expand our vocabulary and practice conversations is something that is increasingly important. Nate’s first evaluation is coming up in a couple of weeks and he is hoping to really be ready for it.
• Wisdom with the kids – with Tim still struggling with potty training we are hoping to find ways to help him take that important step (it will sure help cut down the laundry too.) Elias is at a place too where he needs a bit more teaching and training. Those things, and all the boys are still working on adjusting to some degree.
• Relationships – both with folks here on the base, and with folks around. We are beginning lots of friendships, but often are not sure how to carry that out.
• Energy – the heat seems to sap our strength by the end of the day.
Thanks for praying. The Claasens
Here it is:
Sometime this week, take a few moments to stop in a public place, and observe three random people. Try to discern, just by looking at them (taking into account the setting, time of day, and other factors) what they are up to. Yup, you read it right, be intentionally (and covertly) nosy. We bet that you will be able to tell what at least two of the three are up to (including some information about wealth, occupation, status, hobbies, religion, family affiliation, what their business is – maybe even food preferences.)
Why do you have that ability? You know your own culture. You know the typical patterns of life, how people interact, dress, connect, and go about business.
For us, here in Papua New Guinea, we begin with no idea what the typical patterns are. We have had to learn how to greet a passerby (and who not to greet). We have learned how friendships are begun and continued. We have begun to learn about what is important to people. We are learning what people notice. For instance, here in PNG, there is no perceived difference between a Rolex and a Timex (that one owns a watch at all is really something.) The same thing goes for clothing - it doesn’t matter if your clothes were born at The Gap or recovered from an alley behind the Shell station on 52nd street – if your pants extend to your ankles and your shirt has a collar (ok they need to be kinda clean too), you are dressed for business or church. Dreds (the hairstyle) along with a beard might indicate an affinity to reggae and/or Rastafarian life in the States, but here it means that somebody is mourning for a dear relative (important to know, no?).
At this point we are painfully aware of our cultural ignorance. People are always coming up to us and asking if they can help. It’s almost like we are followed around by a large neon sign that says something like ‘New to PNG, can’t buy a clue.’ Not only are we unsure of what is the appropriate thing to do in many situations, our Tok Pisin is also limited in scope. (‘Donde esta el bano?’ which has served us well in the past, just doesn’t cut it here.) At the same time, as we are out with folks, making friends, and spending time with people, we do see progress. We are so grateful for the friendliness and understanding of the people here. They are always ready to help us (and laugh with/at us).
Here are the things that you can be praying for this week:
• Effective practice time – we are busy just living life and taking opportunities to be out with the locals adding in time to expand our vocabulary and practice conversations is something that is increasingly important. Nate’s first evaluation is coming up in a couple of weeks and he is hoping to really be ready for it.
• Wisdom with the kids – with Tim still struggling with potty training we are hoping to find ways to help him take that important step (it will sure help cut down the laundry too.) Elias is at a place too where he needs a bit more teaching and training. Those things, and all the boys are still working on adjusting to some degree.
• Relationships – both with folks here on the base, and with folks around. We are beginning lots of friendships, but often are not sure how to carry that out.
• Energy – the heat seems to sap our strength by the end of the day.
Thanks for praying. The Claasens
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