Sik Mun...a cultural experience





A "Sik Mun" is, well...it's like a "coming of age" ceremony for young women who have experienced their first, in English, "Sick Month."  Not exactly something we would share with the entire neighborhood, but here in Papua New Guinea it's a huge cause for celebration.
Want to find out more?  Click here!

Janet & Mopo

Janet and her husband are two of a small group of believers in the village outside our campus.  They recently "adopted" Mopo (pictured here with Janet) - "adopted" meaning Mopo's family wasn't taking care of her properly so Janet took her away when she noticed her crying by herself in the coffee garden one day.  The family, as far as I know, hasn't asked for Mopo (her new name) back and have consented to this, and Mopo is now the happiest little girl!  This isn't the "norm" for adoption here, but it's very common for a woman who has no kids or can't have kids to ask for one of her sister's children to raise as her own.  I couldn't imagine giving up a child simply because one of my siblings wanted one, but this is such a normal way of life here in our area.  What is normal, anyway?  What is acceptable?   These things often change from culture to culture.  Makes you think, doesn't it? 

INTERFACE Staff and Student Pics...

We've had these 11 students (one couldn't make the pictures) at our campus for 3 weeks now.  Just two more weeks and they'll be flying back to their homes in the US - with a changed perspective on their lives and missions, we hope!

And here's us staff!  A couple more weeks and some of these will be heading back home, too.  Our staff is always changing as the Lord brings people through Interface, and there are always goodbyes to be said...one of the hardest things about being a missionary.  But then God brings new people here to serve and they become just as much a part of the family as those who left. 



"Slinging" in the Rain...

Our gate is open during the day for villagers to come visit and fill up their water jugs.  It was a wet day for this lady.  Notice the baby's feet sticking out of the sling on her head?