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