Languages - I am finally making
some progress in my speaking Tok Pisin (the language of instruction
here at Senior Flierl Seminary). I can now chat with people about
the weather and when the truck is leaving for Gaugidou etc. It has
helped make me more a part of the community. Now, I am working to
develop my ability to lecture in Tok Pisin. I am able to read aloud
pretty well (such as when I am giving sermons) but have trouble
coming up with words when talking aloud.
My monolingualism is quite a
contrast with the students here. They are all fluent in their local
home language (Tok Ples) and Tok Pisin. They also have English
instruction in the schools. One of my goals is to be able to speak Tok Pisin better than they speak English. There is a new volunteer
coming from Germany tomorrow. These young volunteers generally learn Tok
Pisin quite fast, so it's a goal of mine to see how long I can stay
ahead of him in speaking Pisin.
Worship is held in a variety of
languages here on campus. The Sunday worship is held in Tok Pisin as
well as chapel 4 days a week. Thursday chapel and Saturday night
worship is held in the three major languages in the area: Kote,
Yabim, and Bel (and a Pisin worship for those of us who don't know
these languages). Once a month we have English language worship.
Classes - I teach three levels
of English and Sios Histori - Hap 1 (Church History - Part 1). My
biggest struggle has been keeping the three different English classes
straight in my mind. I am not clear on how to prioritize what should
be taught. Wednesday I am going to visit Dragerhafen - the nearest
school that teaches grades 11 and 12. Since my students have
graduated from grade 10, I am interested in seeing their curriculum
for ideas on what to use in my class.
Confessions of a waitskin meri
(white woman) - I do stand out in the crowd here, being one of the
few white folks in the area. Most of the rest are missionaries
from Germany. Sometimes people stare at me, but they are generally
very friendly and helpful also. They like it that I wear a meri
blouse (the smock-like top) and try to speak Pisin to them.
Sometimes it is a bit embarrassing, such as when they run around and
find a chair for me, while the rest of them are sitting on a bench or
the ground. It is nice when I get preferential seating in the small
boats to go to Lae. It is interesting to see how other ethnic groups
are categorized. One of the other faculty members is from the
Philippines. Outside of campus, people seem unsure how to categorize
him. Most of the other Asians in the in the area are store owners.
Confessions of a pasto meri
(woman pastor) - Since women aren't ordained in Papua New Guinea,
this really surprises people. There have been some ordained German
women in PNG before but they haven't been in this area. So far
people have been positive to me about my role, at least to my face.
However, when I mention the idea of women being ordained in PNG, they
seem sure that it won't happen anytime soon. Two Sundays ago I lead
worship at a local church. They were very curious and surprised at
me - a woman in a clerical shirt.
