Big Differences with My Life in the US

Now that I have been back in the US for close to a month, I want to reflect on some big differences between the life in the US and life in PNG.  Here in the US...

1)  I am part of the majority not minority ethnic group.  In PNG I really stood out as a white person, here in Wisconsin most everyone else is white.  There is certainly more anonymity which can be a relief, but I miss some of the white privilege that went with it.

2) I am middle aged, not elderly.  The lower life expectancy in PNG makes quite a difference.

3) I am middle class, not rich. I was glad to have enough money to help the students, but I learned what a responsibility it is.  It has been rare in my past life for people to bother to try to swindle me, a different story in PNG.

4) I am surrounded by consumerism.  There was a refreshing lack of advertising in my daily life at Logaweng.  Without TV, radio, or newspapers, internet was the only way I was bombarded with ads.

5) I see lots of cars and few pedestrians.  When the whole campus has only two vehicles you do adapt.  It seems strange to be in the downtown area and see so few people on the streets.

I have been visiting family and now am getting serious in job hunting. I am looking for a parish position.  This will be my first since graduating.  Prayers would be appreciated.

 

farewell pictures

 

Relaxing in my yard with year two students and their families after our farewell meal and speeches. Students (l to r) in back row are Joshua, Dea, Jeremiah, Israel  Front row L - R Jeggy, Mathew, Siamon, Aisac.

Looking at some of my pictures from the US.  Since their are few sources of media (such as TV, magazines etc.) around the pictures are of great interest.  Generally the women sit on one side of the room and the men on the other.  If their are a lack of chairs the women will sit on the floor.

Decorations for my farewell party with the whole seminary.  The sign says God will be with you Pastor Ann.  All the plants and flowers come from on campus.

Shaking hands with year three students and their families.  In honor of my being an English teacher they sand English hymns for me (maroon songbooks). 

saying farewells

As I have been gone from Papua New Guinea for over a week now, I want to reflect on the process of saying farewell.  It has been both difficult and heart warming.  I have been thinking of some of the reasons that farewells are done so elaborately in Papua New 'Guinea.

1.  Travel is difficult and expensive.  It is true that we will likely not see each other again.  Here in the US it is usually easy to go back and visit, not so in PNG.  I see this every year with the tears shed by the senior class at graduation time, they have been in classes together for 5 years and may never see each other again. 

2.  Mail is irregular, phones are expensive and internet may not be available.  It will be hard for us to keep in touch.  As smart phones are becoming more common and mobile phone coverage  I have started seeing some students and faculty on Facebook.

3.  People are used to living in villages where there is slow turnover of people.  They are used to the idea that they will be in relationship their whole life.

I had three farewells, one a dinner with my waspapa or advisory group, a potluck with speeches with the Year Two Class, and a campus-wide farewell.  This included a meal, entertainment and gifts by each class and the dedication of the new campus kitchen.

These farewells were wonderful and made me realize how deeply involved I had become with the community.