You Know You're in PNG When...

The US and PNG are very different places. Yeah, I know that just shattered your world. Ok, but seriously, the culture here is really different than back home. Ever wondered what some of those differences are? Here are just a few… with more to come in future days.

One difference: the nationals "hang" their babies up to sleep in big string bags. So Kyler sometimes naps in one too!

• Little kids are scared of you because you’re a “white man”
• Said little kids are also running around naked.
• People describe you as your husband’s “woman” (yes, women are considered property here)
• You discover that two guys or two girls can hold hands in public and it’s not inappropriate at all, but a guy and a girl holding hands can raise eyebrows.
• Driving means being on HIGH alert at all times… mostly to avoid hitting any potholes, people, or pigs.
• Fights break out at the market.
• You arrive at the airport for a flight and find out it left 30 minutes early because… just because.
• You get cold if the temperature gets down to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You find a baby gecko in your toilet bowl. Thankfully, I was cleaning the toilet, not sitting on it. Otherwise, you probably would’ve heard my scream all the way back in the States.
• It’s totally fine for people to ask you for stuff. All. The. Time. Because it never hurts to ask, right?
• It’s also totally fine for you to politely refuse to give them what they ask for.
• Being told that you are fat (even if you’re not really fat by Western standards) is a compliment because it means you have money to buy good food.
• Speaking of food, it grows all year. Handy for being self-sustaining.
• There are two seasons. Hot and dry, and hot and wet.
• Dog fights break out during church services (which are often held outside).

Yup, different world. Sometimes we love it. Sometimes we hate it. But it’s home now. Gotta remember, it’s not necessarily wrong, just different!

Thanks so much for praying for us as we adjust! And please continue to do so, because just when you think you've seen it all... you realize you haven't. :)