Slideshow

This is a slide show I (Collin) put together for church awhile back and I thought I would upload it to the blog.  It you haven't heard, Faith Hubbard is returning to PNG for a 6 month stay. Please pray for her over the next few months.  Enjoy!

"To God be the Glory!"

More pictures from Drew

Traveling Update

At the beginning of this blog, we are flying across the Pacific at about 3:30 in the morning back in TN. I have had an awesome time in PNG. To think that God gave me this opportunity to come, that I was able to visit with a pilot, and also that two of my closest friends were also able to come. I have learned many things on this trip that will help fine time my long term goals of flying, school, Bible training, etc... in preparation for the mission field if God should call me. But that's another story for another time... Here is a rundown of our return to the states.

On Sunday we had our last service in Kotidonga. It was a bitter-sweet service. We said our "good byes" to everyone that evening because the "plan" was to leave at 5 the next morning for the airstrip so at dawn we could depart. We ate supper with all the Allen's and fellowshipped with them until 9 o'clock that night. 

On Monday, we got up and loaded up in the Kawasaki Mule and then we realized that one of the tires had a massive bulge in it. Not wanting to risk a blowout, we borrowed Bro. Jon's little Toyota. The Toyota fired right up and we loaded everything from the mule into it, and then Bro. Matt turned off the engine. Bad idea!!! Every time that truck got used while I was there, it didn't function properly! They think the fuel filter was clogged up and so Andrew and Matt are laying in the dark with flashlights trying to take apart the fuel filter on the soaking wet ground. Finally we just loaded everything in the back of the little mule (the first one they had in PNG) and took off. There was only one problem, only two people could ride on that mule! So four of us walked. Matt and Connor took the mule and went to preflight the plane and take some fuel out (due to weight restrictions) and Mrs. Becky, the girls, and I walked. Actually it was more like ran! Bro. Jon held the record for "fastest missionary to get to the airstrip walking". I think they said he did it in one hour and 20 minutes. The whole reason I walked instead of Connor was to see if I could beat that record! It seemed that the girls had planned to try to wear me out on the first part by power walking at almost a jog. Hannah (the 11 year old) is VERY competitive and had to make everything that happened a competition with both Connor and me. I just couldn't let myself get beaten by a girl. So I cheated... Sorta! I lagged just enough to make them slow down for me and then on the hill I took off running. Then they ran and we went back and forth; I would run out ahead and then they would run out ahead. I ended up beating Bro. Jon's record by less than 10 minutes! The girls were not far behind. We loaded up in the plane and headed for the coast where we refueled before the leg to Moresby. On the way to Moresby, Matt pointed out a World War II plane that had been crashed in the swamp lands. Once we finally made it into Moresby, we headed to the Mapang guest house. It was a nice, little place that was a LOT cheaper than the hotels! The rest of Monday was spent shopping supplies (mainly groceries) with the Allens. I was shocked at some of the prices of certain foods that in the states I take for granted. I also was surprised by some of the items for sale! We saw lambs heart, assorted fish heads, and a can of pure MSG. I'm not kidding.

Then on Tuesday, Drew flew back in to meet up with us. Now I need to stop here and explain some things for you. Bro. Matt rented a Toyota car. So there are seven people riding around in this Corolla. The four oldest in the back with Matt driving and Mrs. Becky holding Hannah. I thought we were crowded till they told me that they rode in a car the same size with Faith and the three that came on a trip! That had to be tight! So when there are roadblocks, we shuttled people, making two trips tiger us all there. On one of the shuttles or maybe when they went to pick Drew up, I can't remember, Bro. Matt asked me to go with the girls into this grocery store. I thought that was strange but he said he would explain later. I soon found out that it was a very rough area and he wanted me there just in case someone tried to mug us. That wasn't the mostt encouraging thing I had heard that day! Anyways, we were okay and had no problems. After we dropped Drew's bag off at the guest house, we had some pizza and headed for the market. That was a very interesting event. Just imagine a 100 people wanting to well their stuff to you and your two buddies and that's what it was! We had bags and masks and bows and baskets all over the place. We got a few things and then, thankfully, got out of there. After we got back to the Mapang, we left to meet missionary John Gray and a Jim Green for supper. We had a nice time and the food was awesome. We ate in the mall at Port Moresby called Vision City. It was a little pricy but really good. After we left there; we headed back to the house and packed up for today. 

This morning (Wednesday), we left for the airport at around 4:10. Ever sense then we have been in an airport or the air. By the time you read this, we will be on the state-side of the pond with a juicy, greasy, BK whopper!!! No more airplane lamb for us, thank goodness! Once again, I would just like to say thanks to all who have prayed for this trip, to my church that loves missions, and to my God for giving me the desires of my heart! I can't wait to get back and share the stories. God's been good.

I meant to send the previous blog in LAX but the wifi there was terrible. So the next part was written between LAX and Dallas. 

We have had a smooth trip so far. Everybody's bags showed up in LAX so that was good. I was nervous about my bow and arrows coming through. I used about half a role of tape on it and the box I wrapped it in was still holding up so hopefully it'll hold together to Nashville. The one guy that asked me about it didn't seem to have a problem. My cell phone had one bar of battery left on it after being shut off for almost a month so we called our parents for a quick update and to talk with them. After we go up to altitude, Drew pulled out his laptop and we watched some preaching since we missed the services tonight.  Bro. Dick gave him a bunch of Shady Acres Camp Meeting DVDs. Some of the things on them are hilarious! If everything goes right, we will be landing at BNA just after 11:00 to tonight.

-Collin

Pictures from Drew

Pics from Collin (sent while in the Brisbane airport)

 Me in the Kodiak airplane. (Not Matt's plane but a bigger one used by SIL)

 Connor mowing the yard!

Connor crossing the bridge at market.

boys' flight schedule (returning home!)

(All times listed are our local times - CDT)

Tuesday, April 9: 

Leave Port Moresby - 3:15 pm                           

Arrive in Brisbane, Australia - 6:25 pm                           

Leave Australia - 9:25 pm                           

Arrive Auckland, New Zealand - 12:25 am Wednesday morning

Wednesday, April 11: 

Leave New Zealand - 2:40 am (This is the 12 hour flight!)                           

Arrive in Los Angeles - California 2:55 pm                           

Leave Los Angeles - 5:35 pm                           

Arrive Dallas - Texas 8:40 pm                           

Leave Dallas -  9:55 pm                           

Arrive in Nashville, TN -11:40 pm

Leaving for Port Moresby

Today (Monday) we are going to Moresby with the Allen's. We will stay with them in Moresby until Wednesday when we leave for the states. We are going to get to go around the town with them looking at some of the shops as they do their supply run for the next 7 weeks. We are staying in a guest house for missionaries with them while there. Drew will be coming in on Tuesday to meet up with us. I really appreciate the church's love for missions and it's desire to give me the chance to see PNG firsthand. I have learned a lot while here. God has really used this trip in a wonderful way and I can't explain in words how thankful I am for the opportunity. I have missed my family and church and can't wait to see everyone again. Thank you all for the prayers. They have meant so much. The Allen's have been a blessing, along with everyone else. I really do thank God for the privilege to come, and for the things He allowed me to see and learn.

-Collin

An Update from Collin

It is hard to believe that this trip has almost come to a close! We have had a wonderful time and know the remainder will be wonderful as well! I know it is getting close to time leave though, because I am running out of shampoo and soap! I was getting nervous cause it looked like if I did run out, my choices were going to be "dark raspberry vanilla" or "be enchanted"... neither of those I really want to be smelling like!!! Thankfully Connor packed for like year! There are many things that I've learned and lots has happened since I've been here. Hopefully I will get time to put one post about a few of the lessons learned on soon, but right now I just want to give a update of what's going on here.

The last few days have been routine. With Matt trying to get over this sickness, I've been stuck in the ground instead of in the air. That's ok though cause I have gotten to do some very special things because of it. For the majority of this week, Connor and I have been working on the guesthouse. Friday was the first market that Connor and I went to by ourselves. We had to pickup two pineapples for supper for Mrs. Becky. We also stayed for the market preaching that Konos and the preacher boys did. It was neat! That afternoon, I got to play my first game of volleyball in PNG. It was interesting! I did okay but the rules were wild. I had a hard time getting them but after a game or two, I had the major ones figured out. I had a good time and really enjoyed meeting some new people.

Plans have changed and Connor and I aren't going to the coast to visit the newest church plant. I am okay with that but would have enjoyed the trip. I talked with Bro. Will who is going down near there and he said the food was amazing. They are right on the coast and for 10 Kina you can get a big bucket of crab or shrimp! I really hate that we missed that but we are looking forward to spending our last weekend in Kotidonga.

Today we are actually going to be getting ready to leave. I think that I may pack because we leave on Monday for Moresby. We are going in on the Allen's supply run. On Monday we are going to be helping with the supply pickup. I am looking forward to getting an idea of the cost of supplies over here. Then on Tuesday, when Drew gets in, we are going to go check out the markets and the shops. But for today, I am going to take a walk and some pictures of the water systems and the solar hook ups. They have them set up very efficiently and I would like to have the pictures for later. We also may go swimming again. Today it is in the mid-80's. Tomorrow will be our very first service in Kotidonga.

Drew

    Hey y'all. Today was a great day. We went hiking to a new village and witnessed. Then we went to RI class at the high school. I preached on Eglon and Ehud ...What Are You Full Of? God moved and I was able to preach comfortably and without being too nervous. It lasted about 30 minuets. Bro. Dick got up and got them to close their eyes and asked them if anyone want to be save. 13 people raised their hand and then Bro. Dick allowed them to pray. He asked them to stay and 9 stayed and talked to us. So for sure 9 got saved and possibly 13.

-Drew

Seven days and nine fingers left!

Today we have been working on the guest house. It really has come along since we have been here. Our apartment is the only one left that is unfinished. Connor spent the majority of the day working on the ceiling. He is putting up a drop down ceiling using boards cut by the sawmill. Tomorrow it should be finished. While he is doing that, I have been using a router and table saw cutting strips to cover the gaps between the ply board walls. I start by rounding the short side of a 1 by 8 and then ripping it down with the table saw. Well today I had a little "accident". I was ripping on one of the boards and it got into a bind. The board jerked and my thumb went right on the blade. I cut it from from the pad of the thumb all the way over the tip and into the nail. So now it is bandaged up and really throbbing hard! I am having to type out on my iPod with just my pointer finger on my good hand. Mrs. Rachel was working the clinic today so I dropped in for a visit! She cleaned it up and said she would take a look at it tomorrow to see if it looks like we are gonna need stitches. She thinks (and I really hope) that I'm not going to need it. Looks like I've got "7 days and 9 fingers left" on this trip!

Bro. Matt is starting to feel better. Mrs. Lena gave him a antibiotic pack today and he has been on the anti-malaria medicine for a day already. He's still getting the fever and then chills every half hour or so but not nearly as bad. I got to talk with him some this morning while it rained about PNG. He really helped give me an idea about flying cost as well as other major things about living in the jungle.

Well I need to get going. We have church in an hour. Just wanted to give y'all a injury update. Somehow now I have to figure out how to get the blood off the guest house floor...

-Collin

(Don't have a weak stomach? Go look at Collin's thumb here.)

PRAYER REQUEST!

Bro. Matt has malaria. He's been sitting around his house feeling bad for two days, and that's what he says he has. I'm sure he'd appreciate everyone's prayers to be better quickly, because he has flights starting in a couple days.

We are doing fine here (other than Bro. Matt). This Saturday Collin and I are going with Bro. Matt to a coast village where Matt is starting a church. It's a 15 minute flight, and then a two hour truck ride. On Monday we are flying in to pick up Mrs. Becky and the girls and our luggage and then we are flying to Morsbey. We are staying there Monday and Tuesday and then flying out on Wednesday morning. There's a big market there that Bro. Matt says has awesome souvenirs. Then we will fly out Wednesday morning at 6:45 to come home.

~Connor

Update from Drew

Well, we got back from the Mullins a little while ago. We had a great time. On the map it looks like a short trip, but it took us about two hours. They have one main road that will go a long ways. Well, its really the only road. There are a few small ones and the rest is just dirt and mud. Anyway the main road is horrible. It has pot holes about every five feet and a lot of the main road is just broken off with mud replacing it. So it was a miserable 2 hour drive!

Bro. Ted lives at an even higher altitude than Bro Dick with the third highest mountain there. We got there Saturday evening and met some of the church folks then went back to the house and called it a night.
   
Sunday morning, Bro. Dick preached the Sunday School and main service. Bro. Dick is very animated and illustrates a lot when he preaches. For instance in the main service he poured water on his head, laid out on the ground, proposed to a women, and finally drew a picture of a pregnant lady on the chalk board. I won't explain what all he was illustrating that for but it was funny. It really was though a good service and God showed up. It  was a good ending to the revival.

After the service, we all walked down to the creek were a man was baptized. The whole church came down, and Bro. Ted later told us that was a big thing for the man that got baptized because of his influence
and his past.

We woke up Monday morning and some nationals took Bro. Ted, Bro. Dick, and me down to a ridge were we saw a big waterfall that ran down between these two mountains. It was beautiful and we had a good time.

When we got back to the house, Bro. Ted and Bro. Dick got out a map of PNG. Bro. Ted showed me where he used to work down on the coast and told me stories about his ministry there. He told me how there were people way back in the bush he never could reach. They told me the highlands, where they work now, is called the wild west because the people here are so lawless. We also looked at pictures of their work over the past several years. They told me some of their past stories and experiences. We had a great time.  

This Thursday Bo. Dick and me are going to a new area. We are going to go down the house line, witness to the people and invite them outside where Bro. Dick will preach to them. He has never been to this area before so it will be a great opportunity. Maybe someday, a church will be started there.

My luggage has never made it. It got mixed up in Dallas and got stuck in with Southwest luggage. So they are holding it in Dallas until Mount Hagen or Port Moresby airport contacts them. Well, neither of the
PNG airports have called which is not surprising and the woman in Mt. Hagen had to ask what my bag looked like for the one millionth time haha, so I will probably pick up my luggage in Dallas. 

Well I will go, thanks Conerstone, the teens, and everyone else who have been praying, and please pray for the new area we are going to Thursday.

-Drew

"Take me out to the ballgame!"

On this past Sunday, I go the opportunity to go to Aminawa with Andrew and Rachel. Malasi and another Bible student went with us and preached the services. Aminawa is a church plant that Bro. Matt started, and when he went back on furlough last time, Andrew took over the work. Now it is practically run by nationals! When we were there, a little girl asked for someone to talk with her after the message, so while Andrew and Rachel where talking with her, I sat under the tarp (the church is just a blue plastic tarp on wooden poles) and waited. While I waited, I was taking pictures of little kids and the scenery. I started taking pictures of the kids  and then showing them on my camera what they looked like. That really draws the crowds! Everybody wants to do it. After all the picture taking was over with, everybody just sorta left and went about their day. One little 3 or 4 year old boy was left and he walked over to me and just put his hand on my knee. I was surprised at it 'cause no kid has been that out going before! So I decided to see how much this kid would allow. I reached out for him and sure enough he let me pick him up and set him on my knee. We just sat there without saying a word. He was gonna be content to sit with me for the rest of the afternoon, but my leg wasn't going to let that happen! After we all started to leave, Andrew told me we were going to swing by a friends house named Benjamin. Ben is a crippled man about mid-twenties. He lives in a bush hut with his father and two children. He is unable to leave the hut without assistance but rarely does it anyway. He is a very sweet spirited man and Andrew always brings some medicine by for him to sort out for the clinic. It gives him something to do. He has a window by his bedside and when Matt flies over, he wags his wings at him. He was really a blessing to meet.

When we left his place, we had to cross a river to get to the Mule. It wasn't terribly deep, but it was fast!!! I about tripped several times in the water that was so deep I had to take my shoes off and role my pants legs up to my knees!

After we finally made it back, I noticed that there were a lot of kids playing baseball behind the Allen's house. I didn't think much about it until I started to walk to the room. Then I saw that Ariel, Hannah, and Connor where playing and I thought I would go get some pictures of this. Now the funny thing was, in the middle of a baseball game, there were kids running around with bows and arrows shooting at the players!!! They were dull tips but still hurt if you got hit. Then there were other kids with inter tubes, kicking them around the "field". The reason for the quotes is because this was the most interesting field I think I had and will ever play on. First base was only 10 yards away and you had to run up a hill and jump a ditch to get to it! Then you rounded a tree toward second and then it was a 50 yard dash to third! Not your regular diamond. After I changed and got the camera, I took some pictures and then I got drafted by Hannah to play on their team. It was a blast! The kids really were less shy when we got to playing. I had a really good time and really played well . . . 3 of 3, all were home runs! Haha!  We played to 20 and Hannah and my team beat Connor and Ariel's. We played some after that but it was beginning to rain and get dark. The funniest part about the whole day was when I was sitting on the "bleachers" with my team, I started singing "take me out to the ball game" but putting in random words for the lyrics. Well Connor and the Allen girls started laughing and then the national kids started laughing and they had no clue what I was saying so I started making songs up about them as we went.

On Monday, Bro. Matt and I flew one flight down to the coast to pick up Ben and some other Bible students and then he flew one more out to Manyama. When he got back, he was so exhausted that he got out of the plane and just laid on the ground while we unloaded the cargo. When we unloaded the cargo, we got ready to jump in the mule and head home, but we could not find the keys for it! We looked and looked and then we realized that we had given the keys to Nathaniel (the weather man) to hold until we got back, but when we brought Ben back from Kerema he took over the weather job and Nathaniel went home. So Bro. Matt was feeling bad and we couldn't get the mule started. We walked down the runway to where the cell service is better and he sent an email to Mrs. Becky asking her to have Andrew bring the keys back. I had to stand there with the cell phone held as high as I could to get service and Bro. Matt was still laying on the ground. He said to go to his email and check it to see if she had replied and when I did I didn't find an email from her, but I found one from Jason saying that he was gonna be Skype preaching (he got asked to preach a church's Sunday night service via Skype) and letting us know it would be nice if we all could stay off the internet. I looked at the time he was gonna start preaching and realized that it had been 15 minutes ago and he wasn't gonna be done for another hour! Matt looked up and me and just said "can this get any worse?"  Andrew showed up with a key in the next half hour and said Mrs. Becky saw the text and just didn't reply to it. So we loaded up headed back home. I hopped in with Andrew on the mule he brought. About halfway back, the mule's engine shut off and we ended up coasting all the way down a hill before we got it fixed! It was a crazy day and one I was glad to be done with! When Matt finally drove the other mule back, he still wasn't feeling good and he laid down for a few minutes. He thinks now that he is getting malaria. Please pray that is not the case and that he will get to feeling better.

Last night we ate supper with Jason and Cherith Ottesen. It was good and afterwards we played "Monopoly Deal". It was fun and I ended up winning one game. Since they have a little girl, they were the perfect ones to ask about raising a family on the mission field. They had some good advice that could be valuable in the future.

Today I think we are going to help Andrew build on the guest house. This morning though, I am going on a hike with Jason to the top of the mountain that is going to be the site of the radio tower they want to set up to repeat Bro. Brad Well's radio program. It is hard to believe this is my last week here! It seems like the time has flown by.

-Collin

Email from Drew

Hey y'all. We are at the Mullins right row. It is Sunday morning,and we are just sitting around about to eat breakfast. We drove around once we got here yesterday and saw the area. This meeting is 4 of the churches here getting together. Bro. Ted said it has been going good. We got here right after the service ended on Saturday and met the people. Today after Bro. Dick preaches there is a baptism.
   
We went to the high school for the RI class Thursday and when we got there they had already let school out so the kids could get home for Easter! So, we walked back outside and there was a ton of people,
several teenagers, at the intersection waiting for a bus and selling stuff and Bro. Dick just preached there. We walked and passed out some more tracts and then came back home. A man gave me an ax head made out
of stone. Its what they used to use to cut wood.

I have tried some of the food here. Tapiok was pretty good. It is the root of a plant. Also I had Lau Lau. It is this little red fruit, and it was not so good! I have had kui mui (greens) which is whatever kind of greens they can get with noodles over rice. I liked that pretty good. The other fruit is good. Pineapples are amazing. They have three different kinds of bananas.
   
Well I will go!

-Drew

Easter Sunday

When I think of Easter, some of the first things that come to mind are egg hunts (Collin stealing the golden egg!!! We have video proof!), families getting together, chocolate bunnies, and of course the resurrection story.  

Being here in PNG has given me a different view of Easter Sunday.  There was no egg hunt here, and even if there was, I'm pretty sure there would be no five dollar golden egg.  Most of my family is still in the states. (All but one as a matter of fact).   And chocolate is extremely scarce over here, so definitely no chocolate bunnies. The only thing that remains of a "normal Easter" is the resurrection.  But when I think about it, that really is the entire reason we celebrate Easter.  Of course, families and traditions are fine in their place, but I think that in America, we are too focused on lunch, when our focus should be on Christ coming up from the grave and what that did for us.  

This morning, I was able to go with Bro. John Allen (Bro. Matt's dad) to the village of Ipaiyu, and Bro. John gave a mini-sermon about the resurrection. It was amazing to watch people who were hanging on every word, many because this was there first time to ever hear this story.  When Bro. John got to the crucifixion, and began talking about how Christ suffered for our sins, Nathaniel, the translator for Bro. John, was barely able to get the story out because he was crying and choking up.  When I looked out across the crowd of forty who had assembled, many heads were hanging, and almost all of the adults were wiping tears from their eyes.  It made me really re-examine my view of the resurrection.  All these people had no other place to be, and were so consumed in the words coming from Bro. John, it made me ashamed for how lightly I take the story of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.  

The next sermon, given by Nathaniel, was about Christ giving us bread and living water.  I really didn't get much of the message, but Bro. John translated the main points.  The service, which lasted over three and a half hours, ended and we found out that three people had been saved, all during Bro. John's message.  We have always heard the saying "Familiarity breeds contempt", but it really sinks in when it's seen from a fresh perspective.  

If I got anything this morning that I wanted to share with everyone back home, especially before Easter services, it would be to take a fresh look at the entire resurrection story.  Just think about it as if you have never heard the story before, and I know it will mean more, and be much more of a blessing to you. I can say from experience that it was for me this morning!

-Connor

Powerless Prayers

I have been one two mission trips in my life. This one (of course) and, as many of you know, one to Germany. There are many similar things that I got from these two very different places that I could tell you. But nothing stands out as  closely related than the praying I have heard done in both places. 

In Germany, there was a heavy-set man in Brother Lawerence's church who prayed multiple times I believe while we where there, but I believe it was the Wednesday night before we left that he prayed a prayer that broke the hearts of most of the teens on that trip . . . and we only understood ONE phrase. "Danka shön". It means "thank you very much". Maybe I will be unable to paint the picture with my words as to how special his prayer was, but I do hope you understand. When he began to pray, he would open up with "Father God, danka shön" and then pause for a noticeably long period of time. Then he would start thanking God for many different things, none of which I could understand, but I knew that phrase "danka shön"! Over and over again he thanked God. Tears started to trickle down my face as I realized just how un-thankful I was, embarrassed before the Lord during his prayer. Later I talked with some of the others who said the pretty much the same thing. 

That was back if August, and now, I'm on the other side of the world in the opposite direction and I find that I was moved by a prayer said here. I have heard many people pray while here and not everyone has the same effect. Now, I know that prayers are for God and not for man, but haven't you ever heard a prayer that did something for you personally? The other evening we were sitting in church on a Wednesday night and one of the Bible students was praying after Pastor James asked him to. It never had struck me this way before, but as the man was praying he kept saying a phrase over and over again - "Papa God". Over and over he said it. Papa God. It means "Father God", but it had a very personal feeling to it. I know it's not supposed to be this way, but too many times in my life I have been guilty of just "going through the motions" of praying. My words, having no feeling behind them, just said from my lips and not the heart. Sometimes I wonder what the reasons for this might be. I don't want my prayers to be so repetitious. I believe that these two things that I previously mentioned have quite a bit to do with it! As for the first, I am way too un-thankful for all the unbelievable blessings God has given me. My church, my family, my friends, my life! The small abilities that He has given me. The parents that want me and my siblings to do what God wants. Everything!!!  If I were more thankful for what God has given me, I might find my prayers reflect it more. And as for second idea that I mentioned, if I considered God as my Father rather than as someone to call on in times of need or someone to try to appease with ritualistic ramblings, I might find Him more likely to answer and speak to me. A father wants to have a good standing relationship with his son. He wants to bless him. He wants to help him! God is the best father a person could ever have and He is our, as born-again believers, heavenly Father. If I will see prayers as more of a relationship, rather than a requirement, then I know my prayers will become sweet times of fellowship rather than something done in while falling off asleep. 

These thoughts have been running through my head for the last week for so and I just thought I would share them with you. It is one of the many thing God has shown me on this trip. I know it's not your typical post for this trip, but it was something I felt like would be a blessing.

-Collin

Good bartering, weird gossiping, and wood cutting

The last few days have been interesting to say the least! On Tuesday, Bro. Matt dropped me off in Komako to meet up with preacher Jack and Jason Ottosen. After the slick trek up to Jason's place, I set up my spot on the floor of the cook house and decided to call it a night. I have had a bad cough that has gotten worse over the past few days and it really is hurting my endurance on hiking. Anyway, after I felt a little better, Jason and I walked down to market back on the airstrip. He, like he did with Connor, gave me a few Toiya (1/100th of a kina or a penny) and told me see what I could get with it. I think I did really well! For the equivalent of 15 US cents, I got four bananas and two oranges. I was really excited till I realized that those were gonna last me about five minutes. They were very good and sweet. I guess cause they are grown right here is part of it. Jack got a avocado that was great. All in all, I really liked the PNG food!

While we were at market, we ran into the province leader guy (forgot the official name) who asked Jason how long I planned to stay before I left for Iquiyu. He looked at me strange and then asked him what he was talking about (all this time I am oblivious about what they are saying). Then he told Jason that he had heard that I had come to go to Iquiyu (a 2 hour hike from Komako) as a missionary. Jason then asked me if I wanted to go to Iquiyu and went on to explain everything that was said. Evidently some gossips where just trying to figure out why the new "white guy" was there! It was well circulated, because the next day I was sitting on a pile of logs waiting on Jason to get back from refilling the water cans and an elderly man came over to talk with me. As we talked, he said he was headed to Iquiyu and wanted to know if I was coming. Through broken pigin, I tried to explain that I wasn't going to Iquiyu and that I was just visiting Jason. Evidently he didn't understand me very well because, if I understood him right, he started telling me a story about how that he and one other person over in Iquiyu are the only ones that "believe". He said if I come with him, I could help him by starting a strong church and get more saved. I was really taken back by all this. Who started the rumor of me going to Iquiyu? How did it happen to circulate so quickly? Very strange. As all this was running through my head, the elderly man got up and shook my hand bye and said he was leaving for Iquiyu, but to please come soon. A very strange and sad story. 

On Thursday, Jason and I started out early for the "fica forest". We hiked straight up a interminable mountain to get to where the trees where. For all those wondering why we didn't cut trees a little closer, Komako is part of the beginning of the "grass plains", and he doesn't have enough trees near him. So we walked up the nasty, muddy, slick-as-snot mountain trail and the nationals hauled the sawmill up on poles. I have no clue how they can get that thing up there! They are dissembling it into four sections, but still, it took a helicopter at full weight with it to get it to Komako! Serious team work there! Jason and I went with London (first convert of Komako) and Jack before the guys brought up the sawmill and we started cutting wood. I could not believe that I have been cutting trees and splitting wood for a whole winter and now just when I think I am gonna be getting away from doing it, I find myself on the backside of the planet with a chainsaw in the middle of nowhere hacking down "fica" trees. And that kind of wood is harder than unseasoned red oak to cut!!! It is miserable! It was neat though how God worked. Jason has only worked a chainsaw a few times and Jack was not the best person to work one so I happened to be able to teach Jason how to use one. We had trouble when we first opened it (it is a brand new chainsaw) with the oil not running out. Then we had problems with just keeping it running! Finally, Jason figured it out and we were able to cut for almost 5 hours on Thursday! We wanted to get the area surrounding where the sawmill will be cut so that the nationals won't drop one of these massive trees on it! The locals all threw their comments in (without being requested to) on how to cut or where it was gonna fall. After one or two trees Jason looked at me and just said "what do ya think?" I told him where to cut it and then marked where it was gonna fall. Some of the nationals were convinced it was not gonna go in that direction, but when the tree fell, it was within a arms reach of my guess. After that I became the "official cutting consultant". We really got a lot done in the few hours we worked. All in all we had a profitable few days over in Komako and memories were made that I will not soon forget!

One more quick story before I finish. I mentioned above a man by the name of London. He was the first convert from Komako. He would make the 12 hour hike from Komako to Kotidonga every Sunday for services. At the time, Jack was in the Bible school as a student. When Jack graduated he decided to go to Komako. Jason Ottosen was also praying about Komako when he found out Jack was going to come here and Jason felt like it was confirmation from God. As Jack and Jason made the hikes and flights to Komako, London became a faithful helper and constant friend. He would faithfully witness and invite the locals to church for Jason and was always there for the services. He was so happy to finally be getting a church! But a few months ago, London's wife contracted a strange blister on her cheek that spread rapidly to here whole face. The pressure from the blister actually crushed her eyes in their sockets. She died within a week. News slowly made its way over the mountain to Kotidonga where Jason left immediately for Komako. At the same time, London was coming to Kotidonga to stay. The people from Komako had blamed him for the death of his wife. He was thought to have made her sick by going to Kotidonga for church with the white people. So he decided to leave Komako for good and move to Kotidonga. But Jason met him half way there and when London saw him, he broke down in tears. Jason talked with him for a little while and soon both of them where going to Komako where he has been a faithful witness for Christ and constant friend to Jason. I was truly blessed to get to take the trip out to Komako and will not forget it for quite a while!

Me and London

Pictures from Connor

  A sink and faucet that I helped Andrew put in.

 the ceiling of the bathroom

  All the ceilings had to be dropped down about two inches, so we are putting up strips to nail the ceiling to.

 what a ceiling looks like after we get done with it

The "apartment" where Collin and I are staying. We are both in the last room on the left.

An email from Drew

Hello y'all this is Drew.

Everything is going good. We have been going out and passing out a lot of tracts. Bro. Dick said to tell y'all my arms look like a lobster. I've gotten sun burn on my arms and neck.

I preached Sunday School this morning at Pilgrims Baptist Church, and I preached the afternoon service here at Damascus road. I preached on Psalms chapter 1. That's the third time I've preached here in PNG
so far.

At church this morning a man told me if I came back as a missionary he would give me a piece of land and they would build me a house. He is the one that gave the church its land. Praise the Lord!

Also, we had a really good time. A man that hasn't been coming came with us this morning and again tonight. He told Bro. Dick he was saved.

I went on another hike the other day with two men who live close by. They took me down to the river. We crossed over this old bridge and went up the side of the mountain a little ways.

Keep praying for us. Long Lookim Bian ...or something like that! haha
-Drew

Sunday in Ipaiyu

Today, (Sunday) Bro. Matt, Pastor James, Bro. Jon and I loaded up in the Toyota to go to Ipaiyu. It was just one of those mornings for Bro. Jon! He wanted to be gone by 7 AM which we were close to doing, but when we got about 10 minutes from home, the truck completely stopped! We lost all power to the engine and had to get underneath to try and figure out the problem. Turns out it was a fuel filter that had clogged. He did his best to get the filter unclogged and we went back to the house to grab another filter for the truck. At this point Mrs. Lena got out because she knew we were late to services and didn't want to hold us up on the trail. After the filter was successfully replaced, we loaded back up to head out against the second time. In Bro. Jon's hurry to leave, he didn't pay attention the the empty fuel tanks off to the left and HAMMERED them with the side of the truck. After we inspected the damage and hopped back into the back of the truck, we re-re-restarted to leave. Now we are a hour behind and I get told we are gonna make it up on the hike . . . . I mean run . . . on the trail. So we started back to the airstrip (the last part of the road the truck can drive on). Bro. Matt and I noticed the back tire looked very flat. Bro. Jon said they were fine and don't worry about it and he was not gonna stop for anything else! It turned out he was right, but the tires were low on air!

When we got to Kanabea, we got out of the truck and started the 45 minute hike into the bush. It wasn't bad and I got some really cool pictures and videos from it! In two spots there is a stream that runs down the mountain and across the trail. We had to jump from boulder to boulder to get across and on the return trip Bro. Jon videoed me crossing! It looks scary but it wasn't too bad. Maybe when we get home I can load that video on here!

Services at Ipaiyu where awesome! They were planning on having a baptism today so they had several visitors who had come for the services due to that. After the services, Pastor James evidently asked for a show of hands for anyone who want to get saved. When it was all said and done, 4 people got saved!!! It really was a great day. Then we all went over to the "bathing hole" and 17 people got baptized. Pastor James did the dunking and he had some trouble with about three or four of them. One guy didn't go under fully and when he came up Pastor said it wasn't right! He preceded to grab some dirt and just "sprinkle" him with it and then explain that because Christ was buried and rose again he had to go all the way under to show the true picture of His death. The man was ok with it and got a second submerging. During the whole baptism, Pastor presented the Gospel to the villagers who gathered around as well as the folks up on the road who stopped to watch. Prior to returning home, I met a lady whom Faith spent the night with there in Ipaiyu. I also got my first "PNG food" here. Kau ka was actually a lot better than I was expecting. Maybe I am just saying that because tomorrow I am going with Jason to Komako! I am looking forward to it and hope to really get to be a blessing as well as receive one.

Just as a update on yesterday, we had the day off!!! It was the first Saturday I can remember in a long time I didn't have to split wood or mow grass. We were told that because Sunday is normally a long days work, the resting day comes on Saturday. I told Matt he was a Seventh-day Adventist! He just laughed. To start the day, I sent out several emails to friends just touching base and saying hey. We are having a wonderful time here, but we do miss our friends and constantly think about y'all. We also got to go swimming yesterday (I know it is a little cold for that back in the states!).  The girls took us to their swimming hole and man was it cold! Ariel and Hannah were used to the miserable water but I never got used to it! After the arctic plunge, we all went back to the house for the treat of the week - a movie! Hannah "demanded" we watch a Star Wars since we haven't ever sent it before. As Ariel was cleaning the disc, she got out a Star Wars book and was schooling Connor on who was who in the movies. It really was quite comical. After the show, we walked over to "Papa John" Allen's place and had (no, not pizza) spaghetti. It was REALLY good. After that, we hit the hay for today's sake. 

Back on Friday we picked up Connor and Jason, I finally got to fly some, and we had Hannah's birthday party! The whole TTMK team came over to the Allen's place for supper and it was a really cool evening. After tacos (Hannah's favorite food - I love this kid!!!) we held flashlights and Hannah opened her presents. It was neat to watch all the team together. They truly are a family God has placed together. 

Those are the major events of the previous few days. The minor ones would be I smashed my thumb, cut my hand, cut it again, cut it in the first place again, Connor got nicknamed "Goober" and I got nicknamed "Goose" (they have a dog named Maverick if you can make the connection). Our first week in PNG is almost coming to a close, but we are still excited about the things to come.

-Collin