Getting used to culture, language and bewilderment
Missionaries Chris and Maggie Hostetter are learning the culture and language of the Pal people in Papua New Guinea.
“We have enjoyed our first few weeks in our new tribal work, but sometimes I feel like all I can muster is a wide-eyed stare and a blank expression as I try to process it all,” Maggie wrote.
They joined an existing team of missionaries and are thankful for the help and guidance of those who have traveled their path. Chris and Maggie have four children between the ages of 1 and 6. So Maggie says, “the predominant feeling is tiredness.”
Their children however are also a real asset to language learning. Maisie, their 2-year-old, tries to include all the Pal kids in her game of “ring around the rosie.” Bailey Joy, who is 1 yearold, loves to shake hands with everyone around. These small girls, eager to be part of the Pal people, are certainly ice-breakers for any language learning attempts their parents make.
“Our plans for the immediate future are to learn the language quickly and get our house built in October. We’re living in our coworkers’ house while they’re in the USA, and they’re coming back in the fall so we’re definitely working against a deadline,” Maggie wrote. So Chris, Maggie and their four kids are all trying to settle into the Pal culture and learn to communicate as quickly as possible.
Their hope is that after they learn the culture and language they can be part of the Bible translation and Firm Foundations Bible lesson writing team.
Chris was helping a group of men from another village who were clearing the land where his house will be. After their lunch break several men sat with him and helped him to learn their language. He has developed an excellent language-learning method. He memorizes command phrases – ten at a time – and then has a native speaker give him the commands and see if he can follow them. He writes them down so that he can practice later with other Pal people.
Maggie mentions a problem that many of us never consider: “I hope that Bailey decides to start walking soon because there is just too much pig poo around here for her to be crawling around outside.”
“Our hope is to see every person who speaks the Pal language have a chance to hear the teaching of God’s Word and come to faith in Him. I hope to make good friends and see them changed by God’s Spirit into new creations,” Chris and Maggie wrote.
Pray for Chris and Maggie as they learn the Pal language and build their home. Pray for close relationships and that God will prepare the hearts of the Pal people to understand the Firm Foundations Bible lessons and trust Jesus as their Savior.