Port Moresby

Port Moresby is the capital city of PNG. It has an international airport about the size of that of a very small American town. As we drive from the airport to our lodging for the night, we get a sense of the city. It is not wealthy; not as densely packed as I expected; lush with trees – and barriers and graffiti.

The smell of campfires flows throughout the city. It is dark now and people sell food and other goods along the roadside, lit up at night by long fluorescent lights standing upright. The mission home, our overnight house in Port Moresby, is fenced with barbed wire and posted with a guard. This is the capital city.

We awoke this morning to the sounds of roosters crowing very early (maybe 3 am). Soon, they are joined by a chorus of birds singing, filling the air with the music of God’s creation – the exotic and the familiar (occasional cars are also speeding by). It’s the capital city.

As the sky brightens, we see the lush, green foliage. Palm-like plants and trees abound, some with bright orange flowers. It is warm and humid and tropical here near the equator. One by one we rise. The beds and showers felt great after two days of traveling (with more to come today).

We gather haphazardly in the kitchen and help ourselves to the toasts and cereals. A jar of vitamin-enriched yeast spread is on the table. It’s labeled “Vegemite.” I remember it from the ‘80s Men at Work song (“We Come from the Land Down Under”), so I try it on a dry biscuit. The others laugh at me as I try hard to swallow it. It is undoubtedly the worst taste I have ever experienced.

The best part of the morning was meeting a missionary couple who have lived the last 23 years in a seacoast village accessible only by boat and fifteen hours away from the nearest town. A few months ago, they completed their translation of the New Testament for this isolated people. Katherine shares her joy with us and reads a familiar passage to my children, who are listening to her story. The words flow melodiously off her lips. How beautiful they sound. When we hear the translation to English, they are even more beautiful: “God loved his earthly people so much that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him will not die forever.” And so the gospel is spread.

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....

G'Day Mates!

We've arrived in Brisbane, Australia. Everyone is feeling fine after long hours of travel and waiting in airports. One bag of supplies for the McFarlands has been separated from us. We hope to receive that in Port Morsby tonight or tomorrow before we leave for Ukurumpa. Customs also took away the dried fruit we were carrying. : )

We don't know if we'll have internet access from Port Morsby. If not we'll touch base tomorrow.
For now, we are excited about heading on to Papua New Guinea to see the McFarlands and serve the Lord.

New Zealand!

We're getting closer. A long flight over the Pacific throughout the night. Wonderful service from the folks on Air New Zealand. Papua New Guinea is closer and prettier than ever (to paraphrase Dorothy). Traveling completely in darkness reminds me of Paul's exhortation:

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless
and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and
twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to
the word of life -- Philippians 2:14-16

Are We There Yet?

Not yet. We're in Philedelphia (the City of Brotherly Love) awaiting our flight to Los Angeles (the City of Angels). Those names reflect a certain character of our nation's history.

Nick asked, "How much longer?" while we were checking our bags in Rochester. I am reminded that patience is in Paul's list of virtues.

Our PNG Team

This is our team. We were formally commissioned by Journey Christian Church yesterday for our mission to PNG. We are, from left to right (back row): David, Aaron, Gary, Tony & Scott; (middle row) Jonathan, Mark, Marylou, Ingrid & Donna; (front row) Nick, Tim, John & Becky.

We are businessmen, homemakers, students, church elders, engineers, servants, physicians.... We're people from a variety of backgrounds with at least two things in common: we're sinners who've been forgiven, and we're on a journey together to serve the Savior we love.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...." -- Romans 5:1

A Call to Serve

Stories from the Team (this post was originally sent out as an e-mail: "A Message from Marylou and Mark", by Marylou.)

July 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

We're heading "down under" this September on a missions trip to visit friends of ours from church, Bruce and Paula McFarland. They are missionaries in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and have been serving there since the 1990's. The two youngest of their six children, Peter and Anna, are still there with them. The main purpose of their missionary group is to translate the Bible into the native languages of the people. There are over 800 languages in PNG! The McFarlands are not translators themselves; they teach at the school for missionary children. They are also very active in their church in one of the villages teaching Sunday school, leading Bible studies and ministering to the native people.

The McFarland's home in PNG is very small; Anna's bedroom is also Bruce's office, and they have no storage space. We and nine others from our church (Journey Christian Church) are planning this missions trip to PNG to put an addition on their home. This addition will give Anna her own room, Bruce his office space and much needed storage for their family's belongings.

When the trip was proposed this spring, Mark suggested that we think about going as a family - not for vacation, but for a growth experience we would never forget. I must not have been ready to grow because I said, "No". John was eager and ready (he wants to see his friend, Peter); Nick and Tim agreed with me. I had no idea what my purpose would be in going to this remote part of the world - almost as far away from Rochester, NY as one could get.

My fears were getting the best of me: a 36-hour plane trip, bugs, none of the comforts of home, bugs, crossing a river to get to the villages, and (did I mention?) bugs. Over a couple of months' time, my thoughts began to change. Several Bible passages from my daily readings told me to "fear not" and "trust in the Lord". When this kept happening, I knew the Lord was telling me we should go and He will help me with my fears.

I also discovered my purpose in going when I found out what Paula does on a daily basis and how her work would greatly increase with a team of 14 descending upon them. There would be many meals to cook (without the convenient, pre-washed and bagged items from Wegmans!) and much laundry to do (I'm not sure about washing machines, but all laundry must be hung out to dry - and pray that it doesn't rain). When I heard all of this, I realized God's purpose for me on the trip: go and help Paula. Nick and Tim have come around, too, and we are all very excited (but still nervous) about serving in PNG.

We are also hoping to minister to the kids in the village (e.g. Vacation Bible School). John, Nick and Tim would be able to help with this. While Mark's main focus will be on the construction project, he also hopes to spend time in the village and serve the native people.

We will all be stepping out of our comfort zones and are eager to see how the Lord will use this opportunity to grow us in our faith. If you are so led, please pray for us and the team:

• For safe travel and timely connections.
• That we all keep good attitudes during the traveling and serving.
• That we all stay healthy.
• That we have opportunities to serve the native people in the villages.
• That supplies are ready and we are able to complete the building project.
• That we all grow in faith and knowledge; and trust God in all things.
• That John, Nick and Tim will catch up with their school work when we return.

…

We thank you for your prayers…. If you would like to keep up to date with what is going on with our trip - before, during and after - you may do so by checking our blog at http://journeytopng.blogspot.com.

Thank you again and God Bless You!

Marylou (and Mark, John, Nick & Tim) Buonaugurio


So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

-- Isaiah 41:10

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-- Philippians 4:6-8

Husat i save long tok Inglis? (Does anyone here speak English?)

Although there are over 800 indigenous languages in Papua New Guinea, Tok Pisin (or Melanesian Pidgin English) is one of the country’s three national languages, but it is hardly spoken universally in PNG. Following are some basic English phrases translated into Tok-Pisin. We’ll be using some of these, to be sure, but we’ll also keep a translator close at hand.

Englis-to-Tok Pisin Translations

Hello = Gude (goo-DAY)

Hello (informal) = Hi. Hai. (HIGH)

How are you? = Yu stap gut? (you stahp goot?)

What is your name? = Husat nem bilong yu? (HOO-zaht naym bee-LONG yoo)

My name is _____. = Nem bilong mi emi _____. (naym bee-LONG mee em ee ______.)

Nice to meet you. = Gutpela long bungim yu. (GOOT-peh-lah long BOONG-im YOO)

Please. = Plis (plees)

Thank you. = Tenkyu (TENK-yoo)

You’re welcome. = Nogat samtin. (NO-gaht sahm-ting)

Yes. = Yes. (YESS)

No. = nogat. (no-GAHT)

Excuse me. = Skius. (skyooz)

I’m (very) sorry. = Mi sori [tumas]

Goodbye = Gutbai (GOOT-bigh)

Goodbye (informal) = Lukim you bihain. (LOO-keem yoo bee-HIGHN)

I can’t speak tok Pisin [well]. = Mi no save[gut] long Tok Pisin. (mee noh SAH-vay long tohk pisin.)

Do you speak English? = Yu save long tok Inglis, a? (Yoo SAH-veh long tohkING-glis?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? = Husat i save long tok Inglis? (hoo-ZAHT ee SAH-veh long tohk ING-glis?)

PNG words for the fruits of the Spirit

Love: laikim tru = love or like very much

Joy: amamas = joy or happiness

Peace: bel isi = restful emotions or being in a state of rest or peace

Patience: no belhat kwik = not getting angry quickly

Kindness: helpim ol man = helping others

Goodness: makim gutpela pasin = do good things, or the habit of doing good

Gentleness: I stap isi = being in a state of rest or peace

Faithfulness: wokabaut stret oltaim = walking straight all the time

Self Control: daunim laik bilong olpela bel = down, or suppress the desires of your old self

Sivini - Part II: Seek Peace and Pursue It

Stories from the McFarlands ( by Bruce, from his 20008 Wycliffe speaking tour.)

" But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

-- James 3:17-18

At Christmastime 2006 in the town of Kainantu, before Sivini became a Christian, there was some fighting between two clans of the Kamano people. An AK-47 type gun was used in the fighting. Eight people were shot and three died. The Kamano people reckoned it was Sivini’s Usarufa people that provided the gun. So the Kamano were obligated to get them back.

In early June 2007, after Sivini became a Christian, an Usarufa public motor vehicle ran out of fuel while traveling on the road through Kamano territory. For the Kamano who had lost loved ones in the fight at Christmastime 2006, this was seen as a golden opportunity to get even with the Usarufa for the killing they were responsible for. So a group of Kamano people attacked the Usarufa using bush knives and guns. Of the five young men that were on that public motor vehicle two were able to run away without getting hurt, but the three others were shot. Of those three, two were wounded, but one, a man from the Usarufa village of Moife, was killed on the spot.

The next day many Usarufa people gathered around their fighting leader, Sivini. They wanted to get the warriors together to go take care of the attackers. Sivini wanted them to stop talking about fighting back. But what could he do now? Everyone was looking to him. What he says goes. He called six men to him and set out to talk with the Kamano leaders. Three of the men were carrying guns.

On the way there he began to feel pain coming to his stomach. These were the same feelings he used to get before a fight. Whenever he got this pain, people always died. So, in front of the men he got on his knees and started to pray, “God you know I am a changed person. You know I am not going to fight but I go for peace now. Please stop this pain so no one will die.” He felt the pain instantly go away.

Then he put some special leaves on the guns. Through this old, cultural custom he was showing the Kamano people that, even though the Usarufa people had guns, they were coming in peace.

Sivini chose to talk with some Kamano Elders at a place called Amboi. Amboi was where, not too long before this, a peace treaty had been signed between the Usarufa and Kamano people.

Sivini told the elders that the people from the village of Moife did not want to fight. He said, “Go back and tell all the Kamano people that we will not be paying them back.” Sivini went on to tell them that he had killed many Kamano people, but God has changed his life. He told his testimony of how he confessed his sin to God and that Jesus was now his Lord. He shared how he is now working with a Bible translation team.

Later, back in the village, the other men told everyone what had happened. People were shocked that Sivini told the Kamano that he had killed some of them and admitted that he was the key person to plan the attacks. His people said, “You shouldn’t have said that; now they will come and kill you.”

Sivini's response will warm your heart. Sivini told them, “It is OK if someone kills me, for I have accepted Jesus now and am ready to die if He wants me to. I have confessed everything to God, so I am not afraid.”

It is known that Sivini plays a big role amongst the Usarufa people. If Sivini says to fight, they all will fight, but if he says not to, they will respect that. Both Kamano and Usarufa people everywhere are asking, “What has made the big change in Sivini's life?”

Sivini - Part I: Swords into Plowshares

Stories from the McFarlands ( by Bruce, from his 20008 Wycliffe speaking tour.)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!"

-- 2Corinthians 5:17

One day in mid-2007, Sivini, the feared warlord of the Usarufa people came to Ukarumpa looking for farm equipment. Unbeknownst to him, at the same time there was a Translators Training Course ready to begin at Ukarumpa. The purpose [of the workshop] is to teach … translation teams the skills they need to work independently to translate God’s Word into their own language and also to become translators for other languages in PNG. Men from Sivini’s language group were to be a part of this workshop, but some of them were not able to come. Since they needed more participants from the Usarufa language, and Sivini was there at Ukarumpa, they invited him to join them in the workshop. When Sivini agreed, he had no idea that this was the hand of God working in his life … so that he could hear God’s message of salvation!

The course began and the intense study and translation of God’s Word gave Sivini a new understanding of who God is and taught him that he could have a relationship with Him.

When the students were reading the story in Genesis about Cain killing Abel and Abel’s blood calling out to God from the ground, the words pierced Sivini’s heart. He felt as if the blood of those he had killed was calling out to God from the ground.

You see, Sivini is a leader in his community and the fight commander for the Usarufa people. When someone in his village is attacked by people in a neighboring group, it is his responsibility to lead Usarufa men in seeking revenge. In this way he had killed many people. There were many times when bullets should have caught him, but they did not. For this reason, people from Sivini’s village, both young and old, respect him.

But when the students were translating the story of Cain and Abel, God spoke to Sivini’s heart. He knew he had been wrong and he wanted to be clean from his past. The next Sunday at the Pidgin-language church service in Ukarumpa, Sivini went forward to repent of his past and to ask for prayer. God lifted the burdens he had carried for many years. David Wake, the Summer Institute of Language Advocate for his language group, says even Sivini’s looks have changed since he accepted Jesus because now he no longer carries the weight of the guilt from his past. Who but Jesus could do such a wonderful thing?

Sivini knows he cannot continue as the fight leader in his village. Instead, he wants to spend his time helping the translation team in turning God’s “talk” into the Usarufa language, so that his people can know the Lord, too. He wants them to find peace, freedom and forgiveness from sin – just like he has!