Ol man i gat stori...

Ol man i gat stori...
Originally uploaded by kudatestest

"I am a man from the Sepik (region), I moved here because some other people
worked sorcery on me..."

-Daniel, age about 40

"I have different medicine than you have, mine is from the bush. I can take
out the evil being from a [person's] body and make them well."

-Joe, age 65+

"It is my dream to visit America. Can you help me get there?"

- Name unknown, age 22

"Is America going to come over, buy out all the Asian companies, and we will
become another State?"

- Lucas, age 50

"You can give me some cookies and make me happy...then I will really be able
to teach you pigin."

- Alphonse, age about 50

"The landowners just burned down their house. It is none of our business."

-Dorothy age about 40

These are portions of a few of the conversations that I have had over this
last week. The last one - about the house that was burned - hit pretty close
to home. I noticed this morning that the house right across from our front
gate was no longer there. I walked over and saw what you see above; burned
timbers and ashes where the house used to be. I learned that the folks
living there had worn out their welcome a couple of months ago and this is
the third time that the 'as ples' (landowners) had burned them down.
Interesting way to resolve conflict no?

We are learning more and more each day about the way that people think by
listening to them ask questions and tell stories. Daily we are confronted
with the need for wise and careful words and interactions with folks. We are
amazingly misunderstood. For instance, there was a rumor going around that I
(Nate) am going to buy a tuna company (employs 3-4000) that is located
nearby (I was looking around with some friends in the area). Please pray
with us that we act and speak in ways that will point to our true purpose
for being here. Please pray as well for real relationships as we get to know
folks.

We are hearing all kinds of stories, most do not have happy endings. We
believe that only God can change that.

Thanks for everything - your prayers and support - we truly are blessed.

PS: I wish I had video of the outlandish rumors that are passed around about
us all to share with you.