Ahhhh... my heart is full of joy and breathing a sigh of relief! Today we left (temporarily) the campus at Lapilo and ventured into a couple of the neighboring tribal villages. I finally felt like I was in New Guinea. We spent about 2.5-3 hours hiking, and it was sweaty, exhausting business - but just awesome to be in that environment. The Bamboo was gigantic, the flowers brilliant colors, the huts exactly what you would picture and so were the smells. The nationals were full of smiles and giggles - because we are so foreign to them. No matter what we said the kids would just kind of laugh at us and hide... but then follow us around for awhile. At one point we had about 30 kids behind us - giggling and whooping with excitement. One lady came to every one of us and give us a little hug. Another lady introduced herself and asked all of our names. Thankfully we've had some language classes so were able to speak a tiny bit of Pidgin. " Apinoon! Nem bilong mi Nicky" is roughly "Good Afternoon my name is Nicky". And then "Lookim u" is like "see you later". We are like TV to them so they would pretty much drop everything to either come say hi to us or just watch us from afar with smiling faces.
Unfortunately we were not allowed to bring cameras on this expedition... otherwise it would have been 28 white people running around the jungle like tourists. We're going back tomorrow in smaller groups to observe, and will be allowed to bring cameras then. I'll attach pictures as soon as I can. I wish I could show you all the "bridge" we all crossed today. It's amazing we all survived. Danger - I love it! :)
Classes continue to blow my mind. Even after just a few days, we all feel like we're growing. We're really being challenged to be passionate after God, to study His Word, and that we will only be satisfied when we walk contrary to our flesh and step out of what is comfortable and let ourselves be totally dependent on Him and His strength. I know that as long as I'm growing in my relationship with Him, and pursuing Him with my whole heart, that His plans for me will be made clear.
Love,
PS - thanks for all of your comments. I will get pics posted ASAP!
8 comments:
Wow, loved hearing about all this. We are there through your eyes and words. We are praying for you! Linda Strauss
Looks like your adventure is just beginning!!! I know without a shadow of a doubt that you are going to experience some A-MAZING things in the days, weeks, and months ahead. God is going to use you and the group in POWERFUL ways. Ways that you could never do on your own. Ways that you have no clue what to do, but HE does it through you. I am SOOOOO very excited for you, your group, and the people of PNG. May you be filled with joy, knowing that you are being used to bring hope, life, joy, and light to those wonderful people....and God is doing it THROUGH you!
keep writing my friend!
we are behind you, but miss you.
After realizing you are gone, this week, i almost went out and bought myself a GPS because my youth trip navigator is in PNG.
what will i do when we go to new Orleans? we are certain to get lost with out you.
Enjoy that sweet sleep!
seth
Thanks to your wonderful descriptions, I could see the children, the village, the scenery, the local women. I could be hugging you thru them! I feel the joy, Nick! God bless all of you & keep you safe~
Luvs!
2Cor7:4
I'm so excited for you Nicky! What an awesome opportunity. I know you will come away being totally changed more into the image of Christ. I love how He works in our own lives to make us more like Him even when we are busy trying to make a difference in other people's lives...
I didn't know you would be able to post on your blog now! Awesome! I want to cry reading about it! You sound like you are in your element! So happy for you and praying for you. I can't wait to see pix with that cute curly hair! Keep up the updates-they're great! Kim Bumgardaner
NICKY! SO happy that you can blog! I love hearing about your adventure! It sounds like all you thought it would be and more! I want to see a picture of the DANGEROUS bridge! : ) I'm praying for you! Love, Kim Bumgardaner
love this
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