Installation

I was installed as a new teacher during the Sunday church service today, so I am an official part of the community here at Senior Flierl Seminary.

 I have been working on learning the language.  Most of the faculty have quite good English, but they hold the daily staff meetings in Pigin to help me to learn.  I also go to daily chapel, so have learned some of the religious terms.  The person I spend the most time with - Tanja - is a volunteer from Germany.  She used to have quite good English but it has gotten mixed up with Tok Pisin, so I get the experience of English words in Pigin word order.

I was supposed to go back to Lae for more orientation last Friday. However, the providers of the boat service - Lutheran Shipping - are out on strike.  I had hard the strike had been settled, but now the word is that the strike is continuing.  So, when I will get back to Lae is still up in the air.  I can take a smaller "banana boat" but then would have trouble bringing my luggage or "cargo" back with me.  I am trying not to be too attached to possessions, but am tired of having just 2 skirts and 3 blouses I can wear.  I am sure it will all work out, but it is a good reminder that I have been brought to a different place. Next Sunday through Saturday I plan to attend a synod conference.  It will be a less westernized experience - no electricity or running water. Yesterday one of the women took me to a stream and reviewed with me how to do a "washwash" in a river - maximum washing with minimum exposure.

My housing is nice. I am currently staying in the station master's house (position is vacant) which is a large 3 bedroom.  It seems strange to be in a "white skin" area but I do appreciate the extra convenience of a gas stove and refrigerator (which I don't think the local faculty have).  Fortunately everyone on campus has electricity and running water. 

The day to day life of the seminarians, and the seminary faculty is more complicated than mine  has been.  The students are expected to grow all their own food and even the faculty have large gardens.  Meanwhile I am getting canned goods from the little store in a near by town and fresh fruits and vegetables from a village market area.  Twice a day on week days the  seminary truck goes down into town (called Guagado) to take the children to the grade 3 - 8 school.  I can hitch a ride with them to do shopping. 

Time to go to bed.  Next time I plan to write more about the strict roles for men and women, that may be starting to stretch and change a bit.

First 10 days in PNG

Hello all,

It has been a blessing to finally make it to PNG.  My five flights were long and boring, but fortunately uneventful.  I had some problems with my ticket being printed out in Port Moresby, but Reinhold, a missionary liaison helped me through and onto the next flight.

My first few days were a blur of jet lag and doing paperwork.  Rod Norby and Nancy Anderson, the other ELCA missionaries had me at their house and lead me around.  Then we drove up to Madang for the annual family retreat for Lutheran missionaries.  It was a lovely time, though I am still confused as to who some of the people were.  The majority of missionaries speak German, but they were kind enough to use English as the default language.  The children's worship was in Tok Pisin, the pidgin language frequently used here in PNG (often referred to as Pigin)..  I am starting to work on Tok Pisin as that is the language I will be teaching in.  I flew to Finchhafen with other missionaries.  My first landing on a grass air strip were eventful, thankfully.

I have been here at Senior Flierl Seminary for 3 days now. The welcome was wonderful, with a "singsing" that included a song of welcome and a flower decorated house.  The locals have been very gracious and try to help me learn Pigin.  I have been attending chapel and teacher meetings.  This morning I also attended an introductory bible class for the wives.  I am starting to understand some of the conversation, but can't say much yet.  Tonight I will be attending a special worship service.  I am not sure what it's focus will be, but I am sure it will be filled with spirit filled singing.  The women all sit on the right hand side of the church, while the men sit on the left.

I have some wonderful pictures, but do not have a good enough internet connection to upload them yet.

"Thanks for all your prayers.