We made it back from the CBC Highland's Youth Convention in Porgera last Saturday. Thank you for your prayers.
As you know we gathered in this mountainous locale made famous by a gold mine. The conference lasted from Sunday to Saturday, and since I was the only invited speaker to show up, I spoke every day.
Some quick facts: Over 500 "youth" attended. (Some were men and women older than me.) Ten people were baptized. I am told that 73 people gave their lives to Christ. We dedicated a new church. Hearts were touched, and I learned a lot about being a missionary.
Our theme was "Come and Walk with Christ," and I spoke from Ephesians and focused on the many relationships found in the book. Acts 19 formed the backdrop for the series. I then spoke about the walk we have with Christ as believers (Eph. 1:3-14), the walk we have with God through prayer (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-19), the walk we have with each other in the Church (Eph 4:1-16), and the walk we have in our fight against the spirit world (Eph. 6:10-20).
Speaking in Pidgin for an entire conference was a huge challenge. At the end of the day I just had to crash. Everyone was very supportive though, and for that I am thankful.
Below are some photos that show some of the highlights. I hope you enjoy them.
Actually there were over 50 of us from the Western Highlands, who crowded into two vans and one coaster bus. The excitement was palpable.
The organizers did a wonderful job getting ready for the convention. These signs were everywhere in town. In addition the local committee built a large grandstand, and a huge "tent," which was constructed of bush materials and tarps and was easily capable of seating all the attendees.
The Highlanders have a real sense for pageantry. The conference kicked off with a parade. On Sunday evening we marched around the meeting place several times to announce that the conference would officially start the next day. On Monday we gathered again to march to a river for baptisms, and then back through the town to open the conference.
As we marched 500 strong to the river for the baptism, the locals followed on until we had a huge crowd to witness what I called a baptism of biblical proportions. Look at all the people!
Three are being baptized in this photo. As you may notice baptisms are done a bit differently here. The person being baptized merely squats down in the water to be immersed. Pretty clever eh? No water up the nose that way!
The official opening took place after the baptisms. After that they asked me to dedicate a new church. They sure did pack a lot into one day, and Monday was just the start!
After the church dedication we sat down to a huge mumu or luau. The pork was juicy and lip-smackin" swell and the steamed ferns and kaukau (sweet potato) were greasy good. The photo shows the food just as it was taken from the mumu pit. The men are getting ready to divide it up among the guests.
The Melanesians have a wonderful sense of beauty. Flowers of every color of the rainbow grow here. The photo below shows the flower arrangement that was laid out in front of the stage inside the tent.
All told there were ten different groups that came to the conference. This youth is sporting a Highland's cap made especially for this event. Hela will soon be one of PNG's newest provinces.
Other than being held up on the way back by a drunk with a very large bush knife, the trip home was pleasant. This shot shows a roadside rest where we stopped to buy some steamed karuka, which is a large nut and is very tasty.
Again thanks for your prayers. We are so grateful for each one of you. May the Lord bless and keep you all.
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