Life in Papua New Guinea can be … exotic, mundane, simple, transformative. Our life in Papua New Guinea is divided between life in Uria Village and life in the provincial capital city, Madang. I find that images are useful in imagining places and people so different from the experience of the average Westerner. Also check out our videos, which we hope to keep updating from month to month.
Uria Village
Faces define the places in my humble opinion. Our experience in Uria Village has been shaped by the ferocity, laughter, and determination of the Somau Garia people. The last several years have been difficult for this people. Twenty-five years ago they optimistically planted groves of cacao, coffee, and later vanilla. Some sort of blight, however, has infected and killed off most of the cacao, negatively impacting their ability to profit from cash crops. The market value of vanilla has dropped precipitously as well. Vanilla is a very labor-intensive crop.
Nonetheless, the Somau Garia people continue to innovate, trying to make a better life for their people. One of those innovations is translating the New Testament into the Somau Garia language …
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation &:9-10, ESV
Madang Town
Madang is situated along the North Coast of New Guinea, on the northwestern shore of Astrolabe Bay. Madang Airport sits opposite Binien Harbor from the main wharf. Both are usually bustling with activity. Cargo ships deliver cargo containers. Fuel tankers deliver fuel to the local depots. Air Niugini, PNG Air, along with several mission aviation wings come and go from Madang Airport daily.
Along with Western-style grocery stores is the Madang town market, a great source of local, organic produce, much of which is brought to the coast from the interior, Highlands region.
Madang’s history is of note. During World War II it was occupied by Japanese forces. Coast watchers, comprised of a mixture of local people, missionaries, and expatriate government officials (and soldiers) hid in the jungles atop the coastal mountains, monitoring movement of troops and ships, reporting their observation to Allied forces. Relics from the war can still be spotted in the bush in the environs around Madang.
Around Madang Province
Our house in Uria is nestled in the foothills of the Finisterre Mountains. It is about 62 kilometers from Madang town to our place, mostly climbing from the coastal plain to about 2,000 elevation near our house. Mt. Somau, from which our folks take their name, is 3,000 feet at its peak. In the gallery below is:
- our house nestled in the foothills
- Kalibobo Lighthouse (aka the Coast Watchers Memorial)
- Todd helping sling cargo to the hook of a helicopter
- dedication of Mark’s Gospel
- life around Uria Village
- the black sand beaches of Malolo Plantation
- a baptismal service in Aruamu country
- Manam volcano smouldering
- and a few older pics of Madang.
Love and Prayers to you all.
Dear Todd and Angela:
Please send me your weekly prayer letter.
Thanks a lot.
John