Back from the Bush

Every experience in our lives shapes us, whether it be for good or bad. Our lives have changed drastically since we arrived in PNG, and it has been so good. God has used every circumstance to open our eyes a tiny bit more to see the incredible things He is doing here, and it has changed our whole outlook on life.

Our time in Bush Orientation was one of those experiences. We spent most of April in the Dinangat tribe, located in the mountains of PNG. We flew by plane and landed on a grass airstrip. Since the nearest grocery store is a few days’ hike away, we had to buy all our food and supplies ahead of time to take with us.

Loading the plane with our cargo

The missionary house where we stayed

The terrain and the people were very different than our previous interactions with the coastal people we saw near the mission base where we were living. The Dinangat people are a lot more reserved than your average PNG national, and they have a very strong work ethic, another uncommon trait here. They live off the land, spending lots of time working in their gardens, which were often at least an hour hike away through some crazy steep terrain.

Out on a family hike

Most of our mornings were spent working with national language helpers to help us polish our Pidgin and to teach us some about the specific Dinangat culture. With our helpers, we got to visit their gardens, sleep overnight in a garden house (Clint), learn how to make a wool bilum (string bag, Ashlyn), learn how to wrap growing banana stalks so flying foxes (large bats) won’t eat them (Clint), and hear their testimonies of belief in Christ.

Clint with his language helper

We also had the chance to learn as much as we could from the NTM missionaries who are living in this location. They are currently working on translating the New Testament into the Dinangat language and discipling the maturing church. It’s a lot of hard brain work, but their dedication and love for these people is so incredible and inspiring to us as we are just starting on this church planting journey!

I think the best thing we gleaned from our Bush Orientation was seeing the Dinangat church and getting to worship with them. The majority of the people in this particular Dinangat village are believers, so it was so encouraging getting to interact with them and hear their stories of transformation. They have their own Bible teachers, lead their own worship sessions (with songs that they have written themselves in their language), and work closely with the missionaries to help with the translation process. It’s so amazing and humbling seeing their passionate love for God and His Word!

The Dinangat church

While it’s somewhat nice being back to “civilization” on our mission base in Wewak, we’re also missing the Dinangat people, and we’re so grateful God gave us the opportunity to learn from them for a few weeks. Can’t wait to see how their input into our lives will someday impact the Uriay church!