Open Road

Pal dancers prepare to share a some of their history with us in dramatic form.

***Note: our email system has been down for a week – we had hoped to send this out on Tuesday, May 25 ***

Good News

Thanks to all who prayed for the meeting this last week. It ended up going extremely well. In fact, the Pal people once again confirmed their desire to have us work among them. At the same time we were made aware of how closely the outsiders are watching.  The day after we returned other representatives were sent to check out what we are doing (a good thing actually as it we are very clear and open about what we do). They heard us out and stayed up late with the guys in the village talking… so we’ll see.

Garden Life       

It is true that the Pal people get all of their food from the ground. In fact as we have been out in the gardens with them lately we have discovered that they plant over 40 different kinds of yam.  There is so much work to do in the gardens that our Pal friends spend 3-4 weeks  camped out as a community nearer to the actual gardens (our family takes 2 hours to hike there). It has been a fun thing for them to watch our awkwardness and lack of skill as we try our hands at the things they are doing (they are great teachers as well).

Nate helps to fall a tree for a friend’s new garden.

Phrase of the week

umata buh maya meme kongaga yi  - What is that man going to do?

Home Assignment

This September marks our third anniversary of life here in PNG. We’ll be heading back to the States in mid-November for a 9 month home assignment. Although we’ll need to find at least part time work, we’ll be spending time with friends and family, sharing the Pal work with folks, and introducing our kids to life in the States (Elias has no memory of highways, cities, parks, etc). We are looking forward to reconnecting with you all and would love to let you know in person what the Lord has been doing here in PNG.

Things to be Praying for

*Thank the Lord for the good meetings this week

*Thank the Lord for progress in learning Pal culture and language

*Ask for strength for the physical and mental demands of life and work in the jungle

*Ask for a third family to fill out our team – we hope to have one in place before we head back to the States in Nov.

*Ask for continued growth in relationships

Thanks so much for praying,

Nate for the Cs

Posted via email from PNG Time