Raboni's family was so interesting and generous. They gave of their time so willingly. He and his wife gave us their mattress and mosquito net and bedroom. They explained to us about many of their customs: making clay pots for cooking food over an open fire, using palm products for various uses, and living as loving extended families. What a gift they gave us in having us visit.
Highlights of our time at Umi were observing the way the extended family helped each other. Raboni is the youngest of ten children. His eldest sister's husband left her, so she is a part of his household. She helps with cooking and taking care of Raboni's handicapped third son. And the rest look out for her too.
We waded across a wide shallow river on the way to the New Year's camp. Raboni, his wife, his sister, and their nieces and children showed us how to accomplish the task. After arriving, Jeff spoke to an assembled group of about fifty about the prayer pattern we learn from the Lord's Prayer.
The food was delicious! Meals were times to enjoy talking together in a leisurely manner, sitting on coconut frond mats. Coconut meat and milk and many varieties of bananas are the staples, but different tasty greens and chicken are also consumed.
Different clan members had a number of specialties. Their stories were fascinating.
The dozen or so members of Raboni's nearest relatives were concerned about getting us safely back to CLTC on New Year's Day. The trip through the highlands was a particular concern after people had been drinking. Also, finding a seat on a Coaster, the larger buses, would be a problem. The family sat discussing the challenge together in their village language. Though we couldn't understand the words, we could observe that each member was allowed to contribute and they respected each other's opinions.
They decided Raboni would accompany us to Lae, the big city about an hour and a half further east. We would stay overnight and catch a bus back west early in the morning.
As we watched on New Year's morning for a bus to take us to Lae, the family sat and visited with us for the hour we waited. Raboni talked the boskru down to the usual price when the conductor tried to overcharge us.
Once in Lae, we thought we would have an easy task arranging to stay at the Lae extension of CLTC. Not so. The director was away when we arrived, but another of God's kind emissaries helped out. Miriam was a guest at the Lae center, but she took it upon herself to assist us.
First, she brought cold water (welcome on a hot day!) and sat with us three to find out what we needed. Then she offered to have her husband drive us to buy food and find another place to stay. Thomas, her husband, was also willing to visit with us and help us out. He drove us two to find a space at the SIL Guest House while Raboni stayed with his brother who runs a Lutheran district office. In the morning, the Lae center director drove us to the PMV stop and got us on an acceptable big bus.
The ride back had only one incident. In Chimbu province some guys were trying to extort money from travelers. Our driver wouldn't stop when about a half dozen guys across the road said to. He just drove on and no trouble developed.
Friday night before dark, we weary but happy travelers were back at our CLTC Banz campus. God's provision and the kindness of numerous folks were heartwarming.
Here are two gifts Raboni's family made for us from different parts of coconut palms. We'll take guesses about what their uses are. For the back one, tell what the top of it depicts. If you have trouble posting your answer on the blog, you can email us.
It may be a while before we announce the answers because we plan to PMV to Madang and take scuba lessons!
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