Everything takes longer to do here in Papua New Guinea than at home. For example, there are no dryers, so clothes must be hung out on a line to dry — and taken in before the afternoon rains.
So in order for the missionaries to be freed up to do the work they came here do to, it is customary to hire local people to help with some of the household responsibilities. The wages are set by the government and are pitifully low by western standards -- about $8/day. (Though you are not allowed by law to pay more, most people find additional ways to help the families here).
The people who own the house we are renting had both indoor and outdoor help — a ‘haus meri’ named Irie, a ‘yad meri’ (Mani), and a ‘yadman’ (Orava). We felt it was important for their families’ income that we also hire them while we are here. We have developed warm relationships that go beyond employer and employees.
When we speak at churches, we usually do a demonstration showing all the different support roles required so that Bible translation can take place. At one point we say, “Now when the local village people realize that you are from the West, they will assume that you know everything about dealing with sickness and medical care.”
How true that is.
Last week, our haus meri’s aunt died suddenly. It is the custom here to have the body for viewing at a family house in the village where all the relatives and friends can come together to cry. They call it a “haus krai.” Irie’s two children were standing just outside the haus krai under a tree when lightning struck and a huge limb fell, missing 6-yr old Blake’s head by an inch and grazing his shoulder leaving two nasty gashes. Irie washed out the wounds, called us and brought Blake across the river to our house to have me dress his wounds with antiseptic ointment and Band-Aids. She and her husband, Sakias, are strong followers of Jesus Christ and she thanked God for sparing Blake’s life, realizing he could have been killed.
As we sat together over a cup of coffee for Irie and a cup of Milo (a hot Ovaltine-like drink) for Blake, Irie said, “The reason this happened is that the dead woman’s mother (who died many years ago) is angry that it has been four days since my aunt died, and she should have been put in the ground by now.”
It was clear that she believed that God is more powerful than the spirits; but also clear that even in a strong Christian home, past beliefs and traditions are powerful, too. This is called ‘syncretism’—the mixing of two opposing worldviews, and it is part of why we are here.
When people hear the Word in their own heart language, it has a transforming power. As God’s Word penetrates peoples’ minds and hearts, it brings conformity with the biblical worldview; but it takes years of teaching in the Word. If people hear a more compelling story than the one associated with their own current worldview, they will accept it, and their worldview will change over time with minimal syncretism.
Pray for the people of Papua New Guinea as we share our time, our resources, our knowledge (like about medicine) and also the Word of God, ultimately in their "tok ples" (village language).
So in order for the missionaries to be freed up to do the work they came here do to, it is customary to hire local people to help with some of the household responsibilities. The wages are set by the government and are pitifully low by western standards -- about $8/day. (Though you are not allowed by law to pay more, most people find additional ways to help the families here).
The people who own the house we are renting had both indoor and outdoor help — a ‘haus meri’ named Irie, a ‘yad meri’ (Mani), and a ‘yadman’ (Orava). We felt it was important for their families’ income that we also hire them while we are here. We have developed warm relationships that go beyond employer and employees.
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| Mani, Irie, Natali (Irie's daughter) |
We share with the meris what God provides us -- Julie bakes banana bread for them, let them use our washing machine instead of them washing their clothes in the muddy river water, fellowship together over meals, let them take vegetables from our garden, and learn Tok Pisin with their help and encouragement.
When we speak at churches, we usually do a demonstration showing all the different support roles required so that Bible translation can take place. At one point we say, “Now when the local village people realize that you are from the West, they will assume that you know everything about dealing with sickness and medical care.”
How true that is.
Last week, our haus meri’s aunt died suddenly. It is the custom here to have the body for viewing at a family house in the village where all the relatives and friends can come together to cry. They call it a “haus krai.” Irie’s two children were standing just outside the haus krai under a tree when lightning struck and a huge limb fell, missing 6-yr old Blake’s head by an inch and grazing his shoulder leaving two nasty gashes. Irie washed out the wounds, called us and brought Blake across the river to our house to have me dress his wounds with antiseptic ointment and Band-Aids. She and her husband, Sakias, are strong followers of Jesus Christ and she thanked God for sparing Blake’s life, realizing he could have been killed.
As we sat together over a cup of coffee for Irie and a cup of Milo (a hot Ovaltine-like drink) for Blake, Irie said, “The reason this happened is that the dead woman’s mother (who died many years ago) is angry that it has been four days since my aunt died, and she should have been put in the ground by now.”
It was clear that she believed that God is more powerful than the spirits; but also clear that even in a strong Christian home, past beliefs and traditions are powerful, too. This is called ‘syncretism’—the mixing of two opposing worldviews, and it is part of why we are here.
When people hear the Word in their own heart language, it has a transforming power. As God’s Word penetrates peoples’ minds and hearts, it brings conformity with the biblical worldview; but it takes years of teaching in the Word. If people hear a more compelling story than the one associated with their own current worldview, they will accept it, and their worldview will change over time with minimal syncretism.
Pray for the people of Papua New Guinea as we share our time, our resources, our knowledge (like about medicine) and also the Word of God, ultimately in their "tok ples" (village language).
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