WEEK ONE
We landed in PNG and stayed in Port Moresby for one week, unsure of what was going to happen. As you previously know, we were supposed to go to Balimo but with our visas taking so long, we were not able to get a flight. So, for the week in Port Moresby we waited for direction.
A wonderful PNG woman who we all called Auntie Michelle, accommodated 8 of us at her home. We got to build relationships with her and her family which was truly a blessing. We had mangos (DELICIOUS) a couple times a day since they had a massive mango tree. We also had many common PNG foods such as fried fish, tuna fried bananas, bread fruit, kau kau, pumpkin, rice, and noodles. It was definitely interesting for me seeing that I am used to always eating the same thing back home. I am LOVING pumpkin which is interesting because I cannot stand it back home!
We enjoyed a four square gospel church on Palm Sunday and it was very different, lots of jumping up and down plus loud singing! It was definitely a good experience. Throughout the week, we had received possibility of another location that we could go to. As a team, we prayed and decided to spend our next two weeks on the island of Daru.
WEEK TWO AND THREE
When we arrived at Daru, we immediately realized how small of an island it is. We could walk from the airport to the church we were staying at (we didn't do this when we arrived but we did when we left). We stayed at a Christian Life Church (CLC), and were immediately welcomed with beautiful handmade flower leis. We got to enjoy a lunch and meet a lot of people in the church. Immediately we felt at home.
We all slept on the stage of the church where we lined up across and set up our mosquito nets every night. We had two outhouse-type bathrooms. It was a toilet with a long drop dug into the ground. As well as a place to take bucket showers. All of these were new living circumstances for me! As far as food, we had a small electric burner. There was electricity at the church and it is a prepaid system. So you put 20K (kina) in through a cell phone and that lasted us about 4 days. 20 kina is equivalent to about $7 US.
During the week we did many different things. One thing we did was visit the local hospital. We split up into two teams. My team went into the OBG ward where we helped distribute medicine and pray for the mamas who have just had babies. We also went to three primary schools throughout the week and did many different programs. We would sing songs, teach bible verses, and perform skits such as David and Goliath. The kids always enjoyed our visits and laughed at everything we did.
One of the greatest highlights in Daru for me was being able to spend 4 nights, doing a program each night, at the boarding high school. There is one high school in the western province and only 20% of kids from primary schools get in since you have to have excellent grades. There were about 300 students and each night we did something different. We told them all about ourselves, did skits, shared the love of Jesus, and really empowered them. I had the privilege to speak on 1 Tim 4:12 which talks about the power of youth and how we are called to live a life that is going to bring life. As I spoke, I really felt as if I had more passion than ever. I was not nervous one bit and I knew that I was called to speak on this topic. The importance of having value and actually doing something with our lives is something that is near to my heart so, it was great being able to share this! We had a great response from the youth these days and even had a guy publicly proclaim that he was going to live his life fully for God (they are all extremely timid in their culture so this was a big deal).
At the church we stayed at, we ran a missions training week that lasted 4 days. It is like a mini DTS where we taught youth about different topics such as identity, nature and character of God, relationships, the gospel, prayer, hearing Gods voice and a few others. This was a time for us to interact and dig deep with the youth who were at the CLC church. The week went great and each youth at the end felt ready to say "yes" to God and see what he had in store for their lives. One of the girls I prayed for really had it on her heart to study God's word and being truth to people who believe in evolution, which I have never heard a youth express this so it was exciting. I know God did some amazing things during this week.
We had a pretty busy two weeks in Daru with programs and one thing that I really enjoyed about the stay was being able to build relationships. Many mamas and kids live at the church and/or stayed there while we were there. So we were able to build amazing relationships that I will always hold near to my heart!!
WEEK FOUR
This was an exciting week as the MV YWAM PNG entered into PNG for the very first time. We were able to wave the ship in and get on board! I am staying in a room that has two bunk beds, with 3 awesome room mates. We have hot showers and a toilet which is soooo nice compared to our last weeks in Daru.
During this week we had lectures on Missions and studied the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. We also prayed into the direction we see God guiding us in which for me was really exciting!
During this week, our volunteers arrived which totaled all of us on the boat to 87, from 13 different nations. There were many Doctors, 2 Dentists, nurses, midwives, paramedics, teachers, deck hands, electricians and general volunteers. We had orientation and split into teams. Surprise!! I am part of the dental team, lol. There are two dentist, two assistants, a sterilization guy, a dental hygienist (me), clinic leader, and two people who educate patients about oral hygiene.
WEEK FIVE
We sailed off to the central province and western province (Daru) to break off into all of our teams and serve the people. We had two different welcomes where they dressed up and did cultural dances. Unfortunately, I get very ill while being on the ship with sea sickness but it just depends on the day.
While working in the dental clinic, I have had many amazing cases! One case in particular was a guy named Augi. He, like many, had severe beetle nut staining from chewing it. Beetle nut not only stains teeth but is also a carcinogen that can lead to oral cancer. As he sat in my chair, he informed me that he had stopped over a year ago and was not sure if the staining could ever be removed. I cleaned about 5 of his teeth and showed him in the mirror what it looked like and he was shocked! He began to tell me that he is a pastor and has always been very self conscious about his teeth seeing that he wants to be an example to his community. He was so excited to see the final product so that he could finally smile with confidence. When I finished, I showed him and he was ecstatic. He couldn't stop smiling and looking in the mirror. To see how blessed he was, meant so much to me. It reminded me that I got in this profession for moments like this, when I could give back to those who do not have the resources. Many people I treat have never seen a dentist and will probably never see one again.
We also had the privilege of going back to Daru where we stayed at for two weeks. It was great being able to reconnect with people and see their huge smiles. Many of them were able to come back to the ship and get a tour. I also had the privilege of treating the youth from the boarding school which many of them were familiar faces to me.
So these are highlights from the past weeks. There is so much more but it would take forever to write. That's why I look forward to being able to share with you all in person as well. I wish I could post photos but as of now I can't due to limitations of service. But when I can, there will be many pictures added to the post. Thank you again for all of your support and prayers.
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