2012 – Michaels in PNG: Year in Review

It seems time goes by faster the older you get and the older your kids get. But as I think back through this last year, I’m amazed at how far this family has come. Not only in terms of miles from home, but of where we were, physically, spiritually and emotionally.  Last year at this time we were heading towards transitions. A move to a new home, visiting Cairns Australia for a week, and then 6 weeks of POC training.  I think I remember saying to myself, “Ok, take a deep breath and hold on.“ God hasn’t let me down so far.

As many of you know, I am not the type of person who likes change or looks for adventure. Yes I know Chad is on the other side of the spectrum which is good because we balance each other in this regard.  This year, as in the previous one, God has been stretching and growing me in ways that I never would of thought.  5 years ago if you would of said, “Ruth is going to be in PNG for 3 yrs or more!” I probably would have laughed hysterically.  Reflecting back on what God called us to and trying to seek His will for the future of where he wants us, is a hard but a good place to be.

Before we made the decision to come to PNG, Chad and I were both feeling like something was going to happen but had no clue what was coming down the pipeline. We had a sense of those feelings for almost 2 years.  When we arrived here and were settled into our “new” lives, the feeling of “Yep! This is where God wants us to be-for now.” gave us great relief.  I love being content in the knowledge we are doing what God asks of us and how it feels.

Yes, there are days where I would love to be “home” enjoying the conveniences of the American society and culture.  But then I am reminded again that being in God’s will is so much more important than running through a drive through and getting an ice cold soda or mocha. As Chad and I have talked about what the future may hold we keep coming back to what is God’s will and then what does that look like for us in our marriage and with our girls?  We haven’t gotten the email, fax, or certified letter from God strung down from heaven that says what He wants from us long term, other than what He has already told us in His word.  We just daily ask, “What is your will for today AND please guide us for the future.” Not only Chad and my future but for the girls.

As we have 1 that only has a year and half left of living with us (GULP) and then one that has just entered the world of teenager (double gulp) and then yet another one that may be the most influenced by if we come back to PNG or if we stay in the USA because she is still at that very sponge like age and can make the most impact.  Meliah, Annakah and Kiery are definitely more global thinkers than they would have been had we stayed state-side.

There is a lot to think about and pray earnestly about.  Not to mention other factors of finances, family, support etc.  God will never give you more than you can handle but just enough to always say “Lord, help!!!!”

-Ruth Michael

Christmas in Ukarumpa

I marvel at the simplicity of the Christmas season here.  Yes, it does get busy and sometimes extremely busy, but it’s worth the busyness for the time we can have in relationship with each other.
 
There are the work Christmas parties, the class Christmas parties, the small group get togethers and cookies needed for this or that. The store “black Saturday sale” and the community “craft fair”. Then the end of school term busyness of extra things that need to be accomplished before next term can begin.  The good-byes to friends that are leaving “finish” at the end of the semester.  The band and choir programs for both campus’ (Primary and Secondary), and of course, the Christmas chapels.  And in everything we do there is prayer AND the gospel message is shared.  There is never the assumption that “Oh these people are missionaries or missionary kids. Surely they know the stories so why bother telling them again?”

PNG culture is very relationship driven.  It definitely keeps one in check of how busy or not busy to be when you realize that you don’t have time for relationship.  Let’s face it, relationships take time, and even more time to do them well.  If you are doing errands it is easy to get in task mode, but then you see a Papua New Guinean that you are familiar with and say, “Moning. Yu stap orait?”  And that opens the door to saying, “Yes, I will take the time to talk to you and have relationship with you.”  How easy is it for us, yes even me in this culture, to get caught up in the “Things To Do” list and forget God designed us for relationship, not just for checking things off of a list (even though it feels very good at the time to cross it out). God wants us to be in relationship with others, Christ followers and not, and more importantly to be in constant relationship with Him.  Relationships are one of the very few things that are an eternal investment.

One night we were taking turns before dinner to pray for someone on our countdown to Christmas chain.  It was Meliah’s turn and she was praying just like she was having a 1 on 1 conversation with her friend.  It struck me that even though it doesn’t sound “religious” or didn’t have the formalities of some prayers.  She was talking to God as she would a friend.  That is what Jesus Christ wants. A relationship and friendship with you and me.

Yupela kisim gutpela hamas dispel Kristmas na nu yia!
Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
-Ruth Michael

The Hands and Feet if Jesus

The other day we were listening to a speaker who told us a story of a Papua New Guinean who walked onto our center that week, looking for a missionary who could tell him more about Jesus.

The story impacted my heart and got me thinking of several things:

·         How many times, especially in America, are we “too busy” to stop and tell people about Jesus?

·         With American culture the way it is, would anybody be that bold to ask the question, genuinely wanting to find the answers? Or perhaps a better question is, if there be someone so innocent as to ask?

·         With all the political correctness, tolerance and diversity issues, would we even know how to speak the truth about Jesus, or would be too scared to “offend” someone?

It was a great reminder that we live in a fallen world and people desire the truth, and people need Jesus!

Many of you know my aversion to speaking in public. And my gifting is not proclaiming “Jesus is Lord” from the corner market. I would rather build a relationship and plant the seeds. If this person seeking Jes

PNG Update from a Busy Mom

Hi!

Life has been packed full. With me at the school from 8:15 to 3:15 most days in Grade 1, and then keeping up with the girls’ schedules, each day is full of activity. But a definitely positive is that I do get more adult conversation now that I am in the classroom.

I was able to attend a weekend Women’s Retreat a couple weeks ago. We had lots of fun and learned lots of new things. The Lord really spoke to me in those sessions and I am always amazed of how God works. Next weekend I was invited to go to a Professional Workers conference, or something like that. It is for the teachers on both campuses so I feel honored to be asked as I am not technically a “teacher”. 

Meliah was in softball this term and WOW she has come a long way from last year.

A Letter Home

My mom hadn't heard from us in a while so I sent her an update of what's been happening in our family for the past couple months. When I got to the end I figured I should post it on the blog for you all as well! Thanks Mom!

Read on to hear a bit about our trip trip to Mt. Wilhelm.


Here we get a brief rest from the wind and cold as we head towards the summit of Mt. Wilhelm.

Hey Mom,

Things are going well. Ruth’s bruised leg is old news now-a-days. Meliah and her team just finished their softball season with a tournament near Goroka. Their team dominated and won all their games! She had a great time. Thankfully, it was a dry but overcast day. So not too much sun to give people sunburns.

All Nations Sunday

Being reminded once again why we are here in PNG.  Today was “All Nations Sunday” here in Ukarumpa.  Which means we celebrate the work God has done at getting translations into people’s heart languages over the course of the last year.  As we were sitting in church seeing scriptures and part of scriptures come forward from many different language groups, I had goose bumps all over. With technology advances it is so exciting to see that translation work is going to the World Wide Web. To audio bibles, to video for certain books of the Bible (think Visual Bible in people’s heart languages). 

The Last of our Firsts

This is a blog about the “The Last of our Firsts – Our 1 Year mark in the land of the unexpected”

It is hard to believe we have been here exactly 1 year (we landed on PNG soil July 11^th 2011).

 We have done all of our birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and all the community events for the first time now.  Here is a list of some of the firsts over the last year in PNG:

-          The 4^th of July celebrated here for the Americans.  And using brilo steel wool for the fireworks, very pretty and soooo quiet!!!!

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-          We have done the first day of school at the new school

-          The first time playing softball, volleyball, and basketball in PNG

Kiery with friends for Sports Day

-          Sports Day for both campuses

-          Encounter for Meliah and Chad (like a youth retreat)

A skit that was done at Encounter that Chad was apart of (Meliah was very embarrassed)

-          First time flying in a Cessna 206 little airplane (still not one of my favorite things)

-          Have done the parent/teacher conference with each of the girls and realized that they had adjusted well and there were some areas that still needed tweeking.

MIchael Family Picture Update

Here are a bunch of pictures that show some of the main events in our lives over the last few months.

Chad & Ruth giving their testimony during Sunday evening church.

Kiery loves being barefoot and running around.  She says, “she wants to be as dark as a Paupa New Guinean” she gets that dark from mud at times.

Meliah with her Art class showing off there “ceramic” creat

Living Water

As someone who lived in a 1st world nation I didn’t realize how much of my life revolves around water, until I moved to a third world nation. And even then I didn’t realize how precious water is until our water tank went dry!!!  We are living in an old hostel/children’s home so we have a nice big rain water collection tank, (because the house is big there is lots of roof area to feed the gutters which direct the water into the tank).

So with such a big holding tank, no need to worry that it hasn’t rained significantly for a couple weeks, right???  WRONG.  For some unknown reason we ran out of water several weeks ago.  Not sure if there is a small leak in the tank due to some recent earthquakes or what, but we had no water.  So we had to switch to RAM water, which is really muddy river water.  And this water isn’t treated at ALL.  It is used by nationals for washing dishes, clothes and themselves and there is no EPA to decide what gets dumped into the water or the ground. So yes the water is nasty to say the least. 

Ruth's Ponderings on a Friday Night while Sponsoring Late Shift at the Teen Centre

Ruth’s perception of what I have seen around center in regards to the young people here.  As Chad and I sit and watch some teens hang out on a Friday night I was struck by something.  The teenagers and the kids here on center really have the relationship thing down.  Yes, teenagers are social, they love their friends and their peer groups and to hang out.  But as the 21^st century evolves so has social networking, like Facebook and texting and all the other social networks. So while American society as a whole may engage in relationship using digital services, but have we forgotten about talking and 1 on 1, or coming together in a group? Unfortunately it is becoming rare for people/kids just to hang out together. The kids here really have the relationship piece down.  The kids on center are really hanging out on this Friday night and interacting with one another.  Not the yes I am listening to you but I am texting at the same time or having the ear buds in so they can’t hear what is going on around them.  These kids are shooting hoops, playing volleyball, riding bikes and or skateboards and they are in constant communication with one another.  God wants us in relationships with Him and listening and communicating with Him without all the distractions that this world gives us!!  Without the pressures of media everywhere these kids are able to be kids a whole lot longer than in the states.  They are innocent for a longer period of time.  I wonder if there is any way we can get that in the states.  Besides becoming Amish J  Yes, kids will be kids and they all make mistakes even MK (missionary kids).  We are all forgiven by the grace of God and he wants us to be in relationship.   It is so easy to get caught up in the business of life, even on the mission field, that we “forget” to be in constant relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Life is Full, God is Good

Since we've been back from POC, I (Chad) have probably thought every day about updating our blog with some news. But between the pile of work at the office that stacked up while I was gone at the orientation course, the added responsibilities that I've had to take on due to shortage of personnel, the active family life that we have with friends over most nights, little parties and get togethers, and my weekend outings, I haven’t squeezed in a blog post for quite some time.
So this morning in between cleaning up from last night’s party, making a nice omlette breakfast for the family and then going to some yard sales, I think I have enough time to upload a few pics and talk about what’s been going on in the Michael family lately!
POC (Pacific Orientation Course) is a guys paradise! I absolutely loved traipsing through the jungle with Papua New Guinean guides. Indiana Jones style with bush knife in hand, chopping through vines uncovering ancient foot paths that lead to incredible jungle scapes and waterfalls. Basically you spend the first half of your day in class studying language, Melanesian culture, anthropology, PNG history and medical safety. All awesome stuff! Then you spend some time trying out your Tok Pisin with the workmen at the facility before they take you on a hike through the jungle or a swim in the ocean. Basically it’s about the coolest thing I could of dreamed of!

We are back from POC

We are back from POC (Pacific Orientation Course)  As many of you know I (Ruth) was not all that excited about this new adventure.  And of course since opposites attract Chad couldn’t wait to get started.  I really felt the prayers of everyone while we were doing this course. So thank you very much. Our health was good, nothing major to speak of, which is usually not the case when in that environment.  The heat and humidity was intense especially close to the coast (down in Madang and in our village during our 5 day village stay it is really hot and humid).  Cold showers have never felt so good even Kiery and Anna enjoyed them.

Our typical day was Breakfast @ 7am,

 School start for girls and classes for us @ 8am,

 Morning Tea @ 9:30 (snack time) with our Tok Pisin teacher

 10:00 More classes for us adults.

12:15  Lunch

1:00-2:00  rest time (or get laundry from the line, get kids ready for afternoon hikes or swims or study or just lay in front of fan for a few minutes)

2:00 it was either hike or swim on Mon and Wed.  and the other days was class for us adults and usually a field trip for the kids.  Yes the kids had more fun than we did. :)

4:00 it was “free time”! If the internet was up we could check email or go to the little store for something cold to drink or try to fold laundry or study or watch the guys play volleyball. 

Volleyball!

5:45 Dinner and then the evenings were spent either with fellowship groups or trying to study or get a cold shower or do something that didn’t involve brain power.  Before and after every meal we had duties to help with meal prep or clean up or setting the dining room so that took time also.

Lets Catch Up

Since there is not enough hours in the day (even here in PNG) for us to keep up the blog with all the happenings in our family, we are going to give a summary of highlights from the last few months. We are about to go unplugged for 6 weeks at POC (Pacific Orientation Course) until March 7th, so we thought we should get this out there before that.

Babysitting

Meliah was asked in November to help put together a “nursery” type thing for the video service that happens each Sunday before the main church service (like a Sunday school). So she has been recruiting other teenagers to help her each week and made a schedule.  The ages of kids has been 1 ½ to 3yrs.  She has done a great job! And the best part is that mom hasn’t had to be a part of it!  As of the last week or so she has gotten a babysitting job, 3x a week for a toddler and an infant while the mom coaches soccer.  The kids love Miss Meliah! 

CTS Bung (Party)

Every year each department here in Ukarumpa has some sort of Christmas Bung (a pidgin word pronounced boong and means party). Well since Chad is the manager of the CTS department (Communications and Technical Services) , this was his responsibility to plan and organize it.  He has made quite a few friends within his department, he is manager over 11 nationals, and 9 expatriates. So the nationals wanted to do a mumu (pronounced moo moo). A mumu is like a big bbq with pig and or chicken cooked in the ground with lots of vegetables and cooked bananas. They all were happy to do the mumu at our house!  So the planning started and Ruth wasn’t so sure about all these men planning something this big.  Well long story short, Chad went and got a live pig from a farm about 3 hrs away.  And he was very excited about all the happenings of this.  The pig was whacked in the head with the back of an axe and then cut up and put in the ground to cook and then later some chicken was killed and then cooked in another mumu pit next to the pig.  Chad was enjoying each step of this whole process which was about 36 hrs long! Lots of pictures were taken.  It was an honor that the nationals wanted and did the mumu for the whole department.  It was a great opportunity for all the folks in the department to bond, and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ together.

A Bible Dedication - Part 4

This would be the last day of our time with the Tuam people of New Britain PNG. I woke to the sound of gonging bells which was the announcement to the local area that there would be lotu (church) this morning. They must have a series of gongs that tell people how long before church startes, but I didn't catch enough of the pattern to know how it worked really.

Actually what they use for the bell gong sound, and you see this all over PNG villages, are old oxygen/acetalene tanks or other gas tanks (which they call bottles here). They hang them from a tree and use a peice of iron or something metal to whack them. They are suprisingly loud and make a really nice gong sound.