It's a different world
It’s our fourth day at Interface in Papua New Guinea.
It’s a different world here. The Interface Staff have kept us isolated on campus the first few days so that they can teach us about the culture and prepare us for what we will experience. I’m really thankful for that. We have a lot to learn and we don’t want to make any major cultural mistakes.
The campus is beautiful. The facilities are well-maintained. Our cabin is very simple -- wood floor, bunk beds and a few shelves on the wall. Even though the walls are very thin and we can hear dogs barking, roosters crowing and lots of other strange noises, I’ve been sleeping like a rock.
We are back in college again, with classes six to seven hours per day. We are learning about Papua New Guinea culture, chronological Bible teaching, and Culture and Language acquisition among other things. They are serious about using our time productively while we are here. We will begin learning Melanesian Pidgin (Tok Pisin) tomorrow. It is the trade language of Papua New Guinea and it will enable to us to speak with the nationals here.
Today was our first visit to the village. It is a short walk up a hill, and we headed up this morning. It is the rainy season, which means the trails are muddy. Very, very muddy.
When we reached the village it was quiet, with only a few people here and there. But since 15 white people in a small village create quite a spectacle, soon there were plenty of nationals standing around. How I would love to be able to talk to them! Other than a simple greeting and a smile I could only communicate with a teenage girl who spoke some English. It was a good motivation for me to learn Tok Pisin as quickly as possible.
Learn more about Interface mission trips >>
It’s a different world here. The Interface Staff have kept us isolated on campus the first few days so that they can teach us about the culture and prepare us for what we will experience. I’m really thankful for that. We have a lot to learn and we don’t want to make any major cultural mistakes.
The campus is beautiful. The facilities are well-maintained. Our cabin is very simple -- wood floor, bunk beds and a few shelves on the wall. Even though the walls are very thin and we can hear dogs barking, roosters crowing and lots of other strange noises, I’ve been sleeping like a rock.
We are back in college again, with classes six to seven hours per day. We are learning about Papua New Guinea culture, chronological Bible teaching, and Culture and Language acquisition among other things. They are serious about using our time productively while we are here. We will begin learning Melanesian Pidgin (Tok Pisin) tomorrow. It is the trade language of Papua New Guinea and it will enable to us to speak with the nationals here.
Today was our first visit to the village. It is a short walk up a hill, and we headed up this morning. It is the rainy season, which means the trails are muddy. Very, very muddy.
When we reached the village it was quiet, with only a few people here and there. But since 15 white people in a small village create quite a spectacle, soon there were plenty of nationals standing around. How I would love to be able to talk to them! Other than a simple greeting and a smile I could only communicate with a teenage girl who spoke some English. It was a good motivation for me to learn Tok Pisin as quickly as possible.
Learn more about Interface mission trips >>