Well…It’s hard to believe it’s already been a whole month since our family arrived here in Papua New Guinea! Erin and I were just talking yesterday how this month has flown by. It’s probably much to do with the incredible amount of information that our brains have had to absorb these first few weeks. The first couple of weeks were full of orientation meetings, language instruction meetings, and a whole slough of various kinds of things we must learn to adapt well in this culture.
It’s kind of strange beginning a life and routine in a culture much different from the one you’re used to. Not only do we not understand what people are speaking here, but it’s difficult to understand how Papua New Guineans think and use reason for the way they live their life. As an American, we so used to getting things done, and we often refuse to quit until we’ve accomplished what we’ve set out to do. But in PNG, the people value the moments with others more than the end goal. They value the process over the accomplishment.
I had the opportunity to work a couple days with some of my PNG brothers after a storm blew through one of our Nazarene colleges about 30 minutes away from where we live here Kudjip. It made a mess on the power grid there, and the college had no power until we had all of it repaired. It was remarkable to me how there was no sense of urgency in restoring the power, by the workers or the people it impacted. I think part of it is because they are so used to not having power. The public power company is so unreliable that the people expect to be without it most of the time.
The power line cable and the connections were in such bad shape, it was a struggle to get it patched back together. It was getting frustrating at times in my American mindset to see an infrastructure in that condition. Why? Why hasn’t someone done something about this problem? How does one let it get this bad? I immediately begin planning how to fix it…how to make it better…how to make sure this doesn’t happen again. But…I felt alone in that thought process…the rest of my PNG brothers seemed ok with getting it repaired when it got repaired…even if it’s the following week. That was hard for me grasp. It was something that should have easily been repaired and restored in a day, but it took two. And it only took two because I may have “encouraged” them a bit that we were going to finish that second day.
I learned a lot about this culture and their language this month, especially those couple of days working after the storm, and I realize I have a ton more to understand in the years to come. We absolutely love being here though, and we are so grateful to the Lord in choosing us for this incredible opportunity to minister here. To all of you who are supporting us in this mission through your prayers and finances, thank you! We couldn’t do this without you, and know that we pray for you everyday. If you haven’t already, join us on Facebook @Allen Family Missions for all the latest! Blessings!
Miss you guys but love seeing the updates. I can’t wait to hear all the stories you bring home with you when it’s time!
Love and prayers!
Dear heavenly Father I pray for the Allen family and everyone in PNG I ask that you bless each soul there from the youngest to the oldest and that souls will be saved and that you will be glorified there I left your name above all others over PNG I am so thankful for their mission because when I see pictures on Facebook it’s like I get to be there and experience it with them I am there in prayer and spirit I pray that you poor out your blessings and favor on everyone there in the holy precious name of Jesus Christ Amen
Thank you so much for your prayer! Blessings to you!
How are the schools in PNG? I have always wondered about education systems in other countries. I hope the family is doing well and having a wonderful time! God bless!
Hey Kari…the kids attend an MK (missionary kid) school here on station. We are blessed to have several families with kids the same age as our’s, so they’ve adjusted well with school. We’re all doing well and enjoying being here!
Always praying for you all. Your loved and missed!
Good to hear the update
We got so excited to see you all on Facebook!! Calvin told me to make sure we can follow you all. Tickled him pink. ! Lol . Prayers🙏🙏🙏 for you all! Tell them kiddos we said 🤠 howdy! We are thinking about you all. We saw your Dad today 😊 he put hay in for cow’s today. He’s sure is liking our 2 months old calf!
I will tell them! Thanks for all the prayers!
I love love love reading all information I see from you all! And seeing pictures! I pray for each of you. You’re ‘family’ in a special kind of way. Love you. Blessings~ Kellie
Thanks you Kellie…we love and appreciate you so much!
Hello my precious family, love reading about your new life. Is there anything you wish you had brought with you that you didn’t? If so is there any way we can get it shipped to you. Also very interested on what type of animals are in the area that you live? I remember how much your kids loved their kitties and how Harley had named his two cats tractor and tractor. What an amazing experience for you all love and miss you guys we are always in prayer for you
Hey Aunt Mitzi! So great to hear from you! Sorry I’m just now replying…I’ve been in a very remote area the last few weeks with no service, so I’m just getting back to comments. I can’t think of anything at the moment that we need, but I appreciate the thought. The animals vary greatly on the location here. We are at a higher elevation here in Kudjip so many of the super dangerous critters are absent. All the snakes, crocodiles, and malaria-carrying mosquitoes live near the coast where I just spent the last few weeks. Thankfully they’re not where we reside. Millie has her eye on a litter of kittens one of the missionary families here just had, so I suspect we’ll have a cat again soon lol. We’re so thankful to be here and for everyone that made it possible for us. Thanks for all your love and support. Love and miss you!