Home, Sweet Home

After flying twenty-one hours -- plus an overnight stop in Narita, Japan -- we finally arrived home. We were blown away by the welcome crew at the Bloomington airport! I couldn't believe my eyes as I walked through the security gate. Family, friends, and the wonderful EWO mission team were there to greet us. It's amazing how just "being there" can mean so much. We were blessed and encouraged by our awesome homecoming. Thanks everyone!

Emily's Words from PNG

We recently returned from our side trip to Simbari. What a privilege to see God's work among the tribal people! The trip helped us piece together all that we've learned at Interface. We've studied language and culture, chronological Bible teaching, church planting, discipleship, finances, support ministries, and much more. Now we have seen the result: an indigenous first-generation church among a people group that had never heard the Gospel in their own language.

Simbari was, without a doubt, the highlight of our time at ITF. God blessed us with perfect weather the day of our arrival and we were able to get four planes into Simbari with the team and all of our supplies.Our tiny plane (one pilot, four passengers) landed on a grass airstrip and taxied up to the missionaries' front gate. Barring several days of hiking over the mountains, the only way in or out of their location is by plane or helicopter.



Our missionary hosts have worked in the tribe almost 20 years. We spent four days learning about their ministry and seeing their love for the Simbari people. We were surprised, and pleased, to see that they have managed to "rig" many modern conveniences such as refrigeration, bathrooms and electricity through the use of solar panels and generators. These tools help them to focus on their work (currently discipleship and translation) without having to spend all of their time trying to survive in the bush.

The local Simbari church is only a few years old, but around 50 members strong. They welcomed us with open arms as their brothers and sisters in Christ. In spite of the language barrier, we had an instant connection with the believers. We could see the joy on their faces -- especially as they shared their testimonies about coming to know Jesus.



As we worshipped with them on Sunday, two things stood out to me. First, the capable and solid leadership of the Simbari teachers and song leaders. They were well spoken, enthusiastic, and grounded in the truth. Though missionaries were needed to bring the Gospel and translate God's Word, soon they will no longer be necessary for the church to continue. Second, as I looked around at the many children sitting on the floor of the church, I was amazed to think that these children will know the truth of God's Word at an early age. Unlike their parents, who grew up in darkness, these children will know about the Light of the World. I was so thankful that the missionaries in Simbari were willing to give their lives to the Gospel -- because of their willingness and the work of God through them, I will see the Simbari believers again one day.

We spent Sunday evening with them in a little hut, sitting around the campfire. They sang songs in their language and we sang songs in ours. Different cultures, the same great God. I almost hoped that the rain would prevent us from leaving, but when the sun came out the next morning we had to say good-bye.





As I write this update, we are preparing to leave PNG in only two days. It is sad to leave Interface, but I am excited to head home and begin thinking and praying about how to use the knowledge we've been given. Please pray with us for clarity and discernment as we seek God's leading.

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Frank's News

After being here for over 2 weeks, I can tell that the students and teachers are getting more comfortable with each other. I know that because in the last two days, our mealtime conversations have shifted from the differences between our home cultures to making fun of them. During lunch we had a nice debate about the right to bear arms. That's always a fun one with the Europeans. I am really enjoying getting to know the other students, and it's interesting to hear their viewpoints.

The nationals sell produce at one of the villages nearby. There is always a good number of people there selling things, hanging out, or gambling with cards. When we arrive in this village, I always scope out people who may want to talk. It's hard to talk to the gamblers because they're busy. The other men will look at me but have a very straight face that seems unfriendly. However, if I smile at them or speak to them, they smile back and are very happy to talk.


Selling produce along the road

As I walked in, I saw a man by himself. We greeted him but he didn't seem very responsive, so I moved on to some people who were sitting together. After listening to them talk to our leader in pidgin, I looked back at the man and he was still alone. I went over and asked if I could sit down beside him, and he kindly obliged. His name is Sula and he was watching over some produce that he was selling. It turned out that he spoke English which made the subsequent conversation much more interesting. We shared names and small-talk. He corrected my pidgin and taught me new words and grammar. I asked him why he wasn't gambling with the others. He said that he has been trying to stop gambling and also smoking since the beginning of the year. He offered to sell me a banana, but unfortunately I didn't have any money on me. I would have gladly bought it if I did. Then a national lady came over and put some money down and picked up a banana. He grabbed two, kept one for himself, and handed one to me. I told him that I didn't want to take it because I couldn't pay for it, but he explained that the lady bought it. It felt a little strange to accept the gift, but I couldn't refuse. The conversation then turned to the quality of the produce here. The bananas, pineapple, tomatoes are amazing here. Someone once picked off a tree tomato, cut it and handed it to me to eat. I had never heard of a tree tomato before, but it was excellent. The produce here is quite something, and it's no surprise because of all of the rain, and the jet black soil. My time with Sula was probably the best with the nationals here. I hope that he will be impacted by the NTM missionary who is here with them.

The following verse was pointed out to us in the training, and I thought it was fitting for our experience here: "...the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." Acts 14:15b - 17


Frank, spending time with men in the village


Emily, spending time with women in the village

Emily's Words from PNG

Praise God! He sent the sun and wind (unusual here) on Wednesday, and last night I walked across campus on dry ground!

The road is open, and we are praying for continued dry weather as we are scheduled to leave for our side trip tomorrow morning.

Pray that our highlands destination will dry out as well. A plane with some of our supplies was unable to land today. We are hoping for better weather tomorrow.

We plan to return to ITF on Monday -- again, if the weather permits.

Please pray for safe flights, and for our hearts to be open to whatever the Lord can teach us through this trip. We'll send an update when we return next week.

Emily's Words from PNG

My assessment of the mud yesterday was an understatement. Here's a little more about the situation on the road to Goroka. On Sunday night, one of the Interface (ITF) trucks got stuck on the way into town. They called back for help and another truck went down to tow them out. They alternately pulled each other out of the mud, until they were eventually both stuck at the same time. In the middle of the night, two of them walked back to get a backhoe, which had to dig through five feet of mud before hitting anything solid enough for them to drive on. It took almost twenty four hours for them to return to ITF with all three vehicles.



The back hoe limped back to campus, and is under repair. Wish you could see the video of them using the bucket on the front of the backhoe to dig in to the ground pulling both the back hoe and another truck through the mud - unbelievable.



The road is currently impassable. They'll have to do some work before anyone can get through -- but some sunshine (and no rain!) would be a big help. There are several people stranded here on campus that would like to get back to town, and I'm sure within the next couple of days we'll need some way of getting food and supplies in here. So please pray that it will dry out quickly.

For us though, everything is going along as usual (other than some extra sliding around in the mud as we walk up and down the hills).I have a new appreciation for the term "rainy season".

Emily's Words from PNG

The longer I'm here, the harder it is to write. Maybe I'm just tired, but I sit and gaze and the computer screen and hardly know where to begin. So much of what we are doing here has become routine (normal, even). We go to class, we eat, we visit the village, we shower (ahhhhhhhhhhhhh), we eat again, we go back to class, and then it's time for bed. In the midst of the routine, we are learning. But sometimes I wonder if coming home will be more of an education than being here. Things that used to seem out of the ordinary a couple of weeks ago have become familiar.I wonder if things that used to seem familiar will appear out of the ordinary.

Today was a break in the routine - a mumu in the village. Just after breakfast we headed up the trail and gathered with our language helpers to prepare a special feast. First we peeled kau kau (sweet potato) and bananas.The men built a fire and covered it with grass and banana leaves. The kau kau and bananas, along with lamb flaps, greens, pumpkin, cabbage, and more were piled onto the leaves. More leaves were placed on top, then covered with dirt. They poured water down the center and let the food steam for almost two hours. We played with the children, practiced our Pidgen, and worked on our bilams as it cooked. Then the men dug the food out of the ground, tossed it onto more banana leaves, and we sat around it and ate. With our hands. It was an experience. The pictures will say much more than my brief description ever could.



I think I've mentioned that it's been raining here. The mud is unbelievable. Last night one of the Interface trucks became bogged on the road between here and Goroka. In their attempts to get it out, two other vehicles (including some sort of tractor) got stuck as well. One of the staff told me that the mud is over two feet deep. Can you imagine? The men worked all through the night to get the trucks out. And until the road begins to dry, I don't think anyone will be coming or going from the Interface campus.

We are scheduled to leave for our side trip on Friday. It will be a little shorter than we thought -- only four days -- and it will be in the highlands. We will fly on a much smaller plane to get there, so this will be a new experience for me. We are looking forward to it.

Megan has sent some of your comments back to us via e-mail. Thanks so much for all of your encouragement! We feel very blessed to have your support and prayers.

I'll close with a few pictures from our time at the mumu:


Peeling bananas


Washing kau kau


Muddy Shoes


Preparing the mumu


The food is steamed under mud for two hours


Spending time with the ladies as we wait


The food is ready


Meal Time!

Frank's News

I was talking with a couple missionaries about the poor infrastructure in PNG (roads, bridges, electricity, etc.) and the possible reasons for it such as the inadequate attempts of the government. As we shook our heads and complained, I thought about how that is probably what has kept this culture of tribal people so unique from our western culture. Because of my limited exposure to the culture, I don't want to comment about the good, bad and uglys of the culture here, but I do know that NTM is not here to change the culture but to bring hope to the lost.



Wednesday we had two hours to work in the garden with our language helpers. Doing practical things with the nationals is part of the Culture / Language Acquisition methods that we are learning about. It didn't take long for 8 guys to plant a 10 yard swath of kau kau (sweet potatoes). It was fun to learn how to plant kau kau because I have not done much gardening, and it was also fun to be instructed in Pidgin. It's also cool that what we planted will help to feed them in the future. After we finished planting kau kau they showed us around the rest of the garden. We found a tree that has seeds that make red paint, and we painted our faces to look like real tribal warriors. We followed that by some picture taking and hanging out with our language helpers. It has been great getting to know my language helper. His kindness to me and clear love for his family makes me hope for his salvation.

Emily's Words from PNG

Today the Gospel was presented in a village not far from here! The missionary has been teaching chronologically through the Bible since September, and today he taught on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. One of the women who attended the teaching told the missionary's wife that this is the first time she truly understood what Jesus has done for us.

That is why NTM works so hard to learn the language and culture of a tribe before they present the Gospel. You see, there are churches all throughout this area, in many different denominations. Many of the people here attend church, and have heard of Jesus. But all of these churches teach in Pidgin, the trade language of PNG. It is easier and faster than spending years learning a complicated language. But Pidgin is a very "shallow" language, meaning that it is designed to help people communicate about simple things. When spiritual truths are presented in Pidgin (if they can be expressed at all) much of the meaning is lost.

Here is an example we've heard about: In the local culture, blood is seen as something unclean. If a person is sick, they shoot tiny arrows at them, to "let out the bad blood". Therefore the idea that Jesus "shed His blood for us" has a very different meaning to them, unless the idea is fully explained in their language.

NTM missionaries spend several years in a tribal culture learning about the people, the customs and the language before they attempt to present the Gospel, hoping that it will be clearly understood the FIRST time it is heard, rather than causing false beliefs to take root among the people.

It's exciting to be here while that work is going on. Please pray for the new believers in the village, and for those who are still thinking through all that they have heard.