10-Apr-2016

As promised in the last blog, this one contains many pictures with descriptions and/or comments to give everyone an

idea of what life looks like in PNG, from our perspective. After ALL the pics we have included some common words and

phrases in the national trade language. For our next blog we hope to have pics of some the translation teams at work

translating God’s Word into the heart languages of PNG nationals.

First, we’ll start with some pictures taken while visiting family before we left the states.

Left: Our NM kids and gkids: l-r= Bria, Brian

(Kathy’s son), Jena, Michael; f= Emilee; visited

them after Christmas; after the roads opened,

after the rare blizzard in eastern NM, allowing

us to get there.

Right: Our TX kids Andrew (Roger’s son) &

Renee (wedding planned Dec 2016) and soon-

to-be gkid Lily; had Thanksgiving, and spent

time with them just before our departure.

Left: taken right before leaving their home. Don’t let the

smiles fool you – there were plenty of tears shed after this

when we said our farewells – okay, mainly Gma, Emilee & Bria.

Right: Kathy’s family (most of them) get together in

December at one of their local restaurants. From bottom

left: Jena, Michael, Emilee, Vera & Lloyd (mom & step-dad),

LT (b-i-l), Alan & Tina (sister), Matthew (g nephew), R,

Andrew (g nephew, Lisa (sister, wife to LT), Amanda &

Matthew (niece & husband), Tiffany (niece) & her significant

other Alfie, Brian & Bria

Left: Kathy & her sister Dawn, not

able to make get together, so a

stop by her office was in order.

Right: After leaving ABQ, a 3 day

layover in MN provided time with

Roger’s family. His 93 y.o. dad

and twin sisters are pictured here,

we did get to see the other

siblings before leaving MN.

Left: 2016.01.10 early afternoon at SUNPORT in ABQ: our “send-off” crew –Drew &

Renee, David & Ruth & boys, Dan & Debbie, Tom & Lynn, Russ. That morning was our

Commissioning Service at our home church, Hoffmantown Church. David led the HC

Worship Choir/Orchestra in a powerful time of opening worship through songs; we

were then called up front and surrounded by MANY friends/family for a time of

commissioning prayer; Pastor Erik completed the Worship experience with a

wonderful message.

This was the first fruit we were

introduced to on our first

“orientation” visit to the local open

market down the street from us.

You can see the market in the

background. Fruits & vegetables laid

out on tables or the ground; many

people selling; many people buying.

It is a tropical fruit called Rambutan.

It has a hard seed in the center, but

the fruit reminds us of a sweet grape

in taste and texture.

Following is a walk-thru of our current flat (Kitchen/Living Area = 13’5”x10’11”; Bathroom = 7’5”x6’; Hallway = 6’5”x3’; Bedroom = 11’x12’8”; Grand

Total of just under 350 square feet of “living space”). The hardest part for us is the HEAT & HUMIDITY! Even though we have an AirCon (what

refrigerated air conditioning is called here) our flat reaches 34-36C/93.2-96.8F during the day (w/AirCon at 24C/75.2F) due to 2nd floor, metal roof, NO

insulation. At night we are lucky if it gets down to 29-30C/84.2-86F. We have 2 ceiling fans; one in front room only seems to move the hot air from

the ceiling down to rest of room so we keep that one off; one in bedroom helps pull cool air from AirCon down to bed so it is used at night. We have 2

other fans we use to move the air around. We are thankful for all the shade around the sides, so no direct sun shining in windows. As Roger & Israel

have been working on the remodel downstairs (I helped with painting last weekend some) it is amazing the difference in temperature between the

two flats. So not only will be have more room, but will be a bit cooler –Thank You Father! “New” flat will be: Kitchen = 6’6”x11’6”; Bath = 6’6”x11’6”;

Bedroom = 11’x17’; Living Room = 13’x18’; all measurements are approximate; grand total of approx. 570.5 square feet; so not double the space, but

will feel like it I’m sure just to have separate kitchen & living area; will have before/after pics later.

Left = fresh

pineapple,

Right = fresh

papaya,

Both available at

local open

market, when in

season.

Both are out of

season now �;

Both are

WONDERFUL!

Left: Tok Pisin

phrase that

roughly

translates =

trash belong

burn. Try saying

the phrase using

phonetics and

you’ll get close.

This is Passion Fruit or Sweet Fruit.

The outside is hard but cracks easily

when squeezed. As you peel the

yellow shell off there is a white

membrane (kinda like an orange) that

holds the seeds and juice inside. The

clear looking stuff around the black

seed is sweet (as is the juice) and

slimmy. You just suck the seeds into

your mouth and chew –the seeds are

crunchy. Or you can scoop them out

and use in cereal or shakes – or any

use of fruit. We love these little fruits.

Right=peanuts

are sold this

way on the

streets or in

local open

markets for 2

Kina, which is

about 66 cents.

They are not

roasted – just

sun dried.

Left: this is K using a coconut scraper. A very small

& short “bench” with an attached piece of metal that

is rounded, serrated, & sharp on the end. After

cracking the coconut open and letting the coconut

water drain out into the bowl, you start scraping. The

goal is to scrape off fine pieces of the coconut meat

in order to get the most milk. You use short

movements, just the right amount of pressure &

continually turn the coconut. This was K’s first

attempt at scraping a complete coconut by herself.

Steven & Elizabeth (pic below) said she did a good

job. The first squeezing produces what is called 1st

milk or cream; then you add water, let it soak, &

squeeze again to produce 2nd milk (like skim milk).

You can combine the 1st & 2nd milking or keep them

separated depending on what you are cooking and

what richness you want. When K told S & E that she

was looking forward to using the 1st milk with her

cereal, they were confused. They hadn’t heard of

using coconut milk on cereal but were looking

forward to trying it. K cooked the snake beans in

some the 2nd milking & coconut meat and we used

the 1st milking on our cereal. Yes, both were yummy.

FYI, 1 coconut is about 30-60 cents depending on

size. We plan on buying our own scraper soon in

order to have fresh coconut milk more often –

definitely cheaper than buying cow’s milk (that is

imported from New Zealand or Australia).

Left: Snake

beans. That is a

12” ruler laid on

top of them so

show how long

they are. Taste

like - - fresh green

beans. ☺ ☺

Right: Coconut - do you see the eyes and

nose on the one Roger is holding? The first

whack with the machete (large bush knife) is

on top of the head, then rotate-whack,

rotate-whack, until it opens – holding it over

a container to catch the coconut water. For

cooking, they scrap the coconut meat into

the water then squeeze to produce coconut

milk. You can then eat the coconut, but it is

dry at this point (most just dump it in the

compost pile); the shells are used for

“firewood”. We like to crack one open and

just eat the meat = instead of shredded

coconut, we have chunked fresh coconut.

Right: the bush knife is

purchased and ready to crack

open coconuts. I think I’ll let

Roger do that job because

this knife is very sharp and

heavy; I don’t want a slip to

result in a trip to the local ER.

Right: we heard

that this is a

year for 2

seasons of

Mangos. –

YEAH! They are

much longer

than what I’ve

seen back in the

states and the

seed is much

thinner. Yes, it

was delicious!

Right: Zaccheaus Oraro (immediate

right), BTA’s IT person who lives in

Ukarumpa but comes to Port Moresby

when needed. Barton Maino, Business

Development Manager for BTA. He will

be moving into our existing small flat

when we move downstairs. This was

their introduction to NM Mexican food

– they loved it, especially the guac-

amole. They have become two of our

new Wantoks (Tok Pisin for close social

circle without blood relationship).

Left: sweet bananas almost

ready to harvest from this

tree that is on BTA’s

property. Not sure how it

works, but hope everyone

gets to share. Sweet

bananas are smaller than

what we are used to in the

USA, firmer & sweeter. They

also have tiny “sugar

bananas” –too sweet for K;

and cooking bananas, much

like plantains.

Right: Israel laying floor tile in

what will be our new kitchen.

The hole is for the sink drain

pipe, which will be connected

outside to underground

plumbing. It was easier to go

through concrete block wall

than concrete flooring then

digging under wall. It works

because you don’t have to

worry about freezing pipes

here – LOL!

Below: view from top of our

stairs, clothes line and Antirey,

Haus Meri (house/grounds

keeper) for the Guest House,

keeping the weeds cut back

with a bush knife.

Left: Kathy at the front

desk of BTA as the

Executive Assistant; yes,

there is an Air Con

directly under the

window ☺ ☺; entry

door is on immediate

right of desk; fridge is

for staff to store cold

drinks &/or lunch.

Left: this spider

decided to jump on

R’s door/window as

he got ready to get

out of vehicle. K got

out first to take pic

before it left. No one

we have asked seems

to know what kind of

spider it is – other

than BIG.

Bonnie (the other

American @ BTA) & K

ready for church waiting

on R, the 3 widows

together are her flat; the

cargo containers under

the slanted metal roof

are storage for tools,

maintenance supplies,

timber, & “stuff”

Left: Holes for shower & sink drain

pipes in our “new flat”; notice how

wet R’s shirt and jeans are –no he

did not take a shower with his

clothes on, that is all his liquids

draining out from his pores (sweat);

his clothes look this way about 2

hours after working – he usually

changes into a dry shirt at lunch.

Right: white on jeans=dried salt &

yes they almost stood by

themselves after drying. Salt is a

preservative – right? LOL LOL

Right: R

walking out

in the

pouring rain

with a mop

to mop off

Land Rover

in the rain

(easy way of

getting

dirt/mud

off).

Below: what we know as a common houseplant called a variegated ivy, as a baby plant. Below Center: Elizabeth

Thomas holding a single LARGE leaf of the same plant. She planted it by the tree when it was small (like on left)

and now it has grown all through the HUGE tree on far right. Elizabeth and her husband Steven have been with

BTA for 35 years in various roles. They are both from the highlands (mountains) of PNG. She is going to teach

me how to cook with fresh coconut and Steven has shown me how to crack open and scrape a coconut. She is

very helpful to have with me at the local fresh market.

Below: just a small section of a local craft fair. They have one every

Saturday morning, but the location changes every week – 4 locations, same

Saturday of each month for each location. This one is across from Ela Beach

– that is the Coral Sea in the background beyond the fence and across the

street….about a 30 minute drive from our home.

Below: one of the large churches we visited. This one is a Four Square church that one of the

other staff members attends. It is very close to Ela Beach. Many of the churches are built like this

with 3 sides open. While there, it rained off and on very hard – people had to move away from the

edges towards the front and center to stay dry.

Right: Several items about this pic beside the REALLY BIG tree. This is one of the major

intersection we pass frequently; stop light works; supposed to be two-lane, unless bus

drivers or taxis decide to make it three-lane; always lots of traffic and one of the PMV (bus)

stops is on the other side of the light –this is where you have most of the 3 lanes of traffic

and street vendors selling stuff between lanes of traffic. The cars lined up under the tree

are there to get washed. Okay, close to major intersection, under a big shade tree - - 2

good choices. However, the source of the water supply caused us to say “Toto, we’re not

in Kansas anymore” (this has become a common phrase between us and other expats) - -

the water is pumped from the drainage canal just on other side the tree. For those of you

that have seen “car washes” in Uganda you might be saying “so what” since they use river

water - - most of the drainage canals around here also have raw sewage draining into them

when the city sewer is overloaded, which is often. Who wants a car wash now? Most of

the drainage canals in Port Moresby drain into the Coral Sea at Ela Beach (or so we have

been told) – one reason you won’t find us swimming at Ela Beach.

Left: Port Moresby’s landscape is lots

and lots and lots of hills. This is just

one view heading back towards BTA

after leaving the area of Ela Beach and

an area known as Waterfront. The

area of POM known as Downtown is

between Ela Beach and Waterfront.

Carrier ships load and unload in the

area also. Roads are not always well

maintained and you have to be on the

alert of chug (bigger than pot) holes.

Below: delivery of a cargo container behind Townsend Hall (1

building of 3 for office complex) for storage; Israel dug holes for

concert pillars by hand. It is so expensive to ship an empty

container back to its origin that companies just sell them in PNG.

This is how most products & supplies get to this country…..and Yes,

they also use them for homes or offices in some areas.

Here are a few word/phrases we hear and are trying to learn and use. This information was found in a local

publication for visitors to PNG.

Words & Phrases

More than 800 languages are spoken throughout Papua New Guinea. Here are a few key pharses in Tok Pisin, a form of

Pidgin English that is spoken in all but the most remote areas in PNG.

English Tok Pisin

What is your name? Wanem nem bilong yu?

Who are you? Yu whosait?

My name is Kathy. Nem bilong mi Kathy.

Thank you very much. Tenk yu tru!

No thank you. Sori, nogat.

How are you? Yu orait?

I’m fine. Mi orait tasol.

How much is that? Em hamas?

How much is this? Dispela em hamas?

I’d like one please. Mi laikim wanpela plis.

I would like to go to (Parliament House). Mi laik go long (Parliament House).

Can you come with me? Inap yu kam wantaim mi?

No, I don’t want (to/that/this). Sori nogat, mi less.

Please, can you help me with this? Plis, inap yu halivim mi wantaim dispel samting?

What is that? Em wanem?

That is/was very good. Em I gutpela stret!

That is/was bad! Em no gut (pronounced goot)!

Left: The electrical control box for our

staff housing unit. Each 1 of the 4 little

boxes in upper right corner go to specific

flats. Electric is pre-paid, they give you a

code that you enter on keypad, you have

electricity to use.

Right: Does this shirt look like – Home

Depot?? There is a place called Haus

Depot or Hardware Haus, and their store

layout & colors remind R of “home”. The

General Manager, Rogers’s new “best

friend” is from Australia and has lived in

POM over 20 years running this store

chain in the country of PNG. Both the

General and Regional Manager are very

aware of BTA’s work here, and have

promised to help in any way they can!!

Below: R got a kick out of these two items. Anyone back in the states think OSHA would approve? He uses both of these places (plus others) on a

“regular” basis – getting supplies involves sometimes hours of his time between explaining what you need and driving to the different places just to see

who has what you need in stock. Below left: the ladders hang on the outside of the building inside their fenced/guarded yard. Below right: notice the

twine around the door with green paint showing under chipped blue paint; there is a water bottle filled and tied to the end – it acts as the closure

mechanism for the door. Great example of “make do with what you have” until the container of supplies arrives and gets unloaded. Roger is glad he

grew up on a small rural farm! He is getting to put into practice, every day, all that he learned…way back then!!

That is / she is / he is OK. Em orait.

Where are you from? Yu bilong wanem hap?

I’m from England. Mi mangi Inglan.

I’d like lots/plenty please. Mi laikim planti plis.

I need a rest. Mi laik malolo liklik.

Useful Terms

Many words from PNG’s Dutch, German, Australian, and British colonial days are still in use today, and there is no change to

a word or term when speaking in past, present or future tense.

Term Meaning

Plis Please

Sori Sorry

Wanem What

Dispel This

Nogat No

Em nau! Yes / That’s right!

Bagarap Broken / not good / sick

Missis Ma’am / “white” or foreign woman*

Masta Sir / master / “white” or foreign man*

Meri Woman/girl

Sista/Brata Sister/Brother

Mama/Papa Mother/Father

Bubu Grandpa or Grandma

Bubu pikinini Grandchildren

Pikinini Child or children

Malolo Rest / sleep / holiday

Silip Sleep

Haus House

Raus/rausim Remove / throw out

Itambu Forbidden

Sindaun Sit down

Sanap Stand up

Dring (d-R-ing) Drink / drinking / drank

Kaikai Food / eat / eating

Laikim Like / would like / often used as an affectionate farewell

Wantaim Together, with

Halivim Help

Noken Do not

No i nap Not enough or can’t

Inap Enough or can

Risit Receipt

Pulap Full / full up

Yu You

Mi Me

Em Him / her / it / that

Blong/bilong (bilong is often shortened to ‘long’) Belong / from / for

Liklik Little / small

Bikpela Big / large

Apinun Afternoon

Planti Plenty / lots of

Pinis Finish / for good (dai pinis= deceased / kaikai pinis= finished

eating / go pinis= gone for good

*missis and masta are sometimes seen derogatory, but villagers in more remote areas will address foreigners in this

way without meaning offence.

We are blessed and humbled that God has invited us on this journey. God bless you all! R&K