Greetings from Papua New Guinea!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Greetings from Papua New Guinea!

We landed in PNG about 7:40 last night – just a little farther to go to Ukarumpa.

We spent this afternoon in Brisbane’s airport. It was like being at home. Everything about it was comfortable. The people were friendly, and they spoke English (the Aussie version); food was familiar (Burger King, SubWay, fish & chips); bathrooms were clean. Some of those things are about to change.

Bruce McFarland had arranged for us to be picked up at the airport, which is exactly what happened. We packed our 19 backpacks and suitcases into a mini van and then all 14 of us climbed in. It was a tight fit, but worth it for the short ride to the mission guest house we stayed at overnight. We were exhausted from travel, but no worse for wear. After a short time of prayer and thanksgiving together, we all went to sleep.

Today we go back to the airport for a short flight to Lae where we expect to be greeted by Bruce. Then a 2 ½ to 3 hour drive to Ukarumpa (in a much larger bus!). More to come shortly....

PNG Geographical Facts

▪ Near, but south of the equator in South Pacific Ocean.

▪ Occupies eastern half of New Guinea island (world’s second largest excluding Australia).

▪ Part of Australian continent.

▪ Mostly mountainous, covered with tropical rainforests and surrounded by coral reefs.

▪ Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire at the point of collision of several tectonic plates.

▪ A number of active volcanoes and frequent eruptions.

▪ Common earthquakes, sometimes accompanied by tsunamis.

▪ One of the few regions close to the equator that experience snow (in the most elevated parts of the mainland).

Why we're going to PNG

Our group of families and individuals from Journey Christian Church are going on a missions trip to Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ, the McFarland family. The McFarlands (Bruce & Paula and their children) have been long-term support missionaries serving, in turn, as teachers to the families of other missionaries. Together, they have been called by God to translate the Good News of Jesus Christ into the native languages (more than 800 of them!) of Papua New Guinea -- one of the most linguistically diverse cultures on earth.

While we're there, we'll build an addition on the McFarlands' small home, giving them more space to live and work as they serve the people of Ukarumpa, PNG.

Journey to PNG -- September 12 - 27, 2009

Tuesday, September 15, 2009