March 8, 2008
Dear Church Family,
This Saturday makes one full week since we left the United States to come to Papua New Guinea. There have been very few weeks in our lives that have ever turned everything upside-down and around like this week has. It has been one of the best and craziest weeks ever.
It started with our 35 hour journey to get to Papua New Guinea. I think the most interesting part of the trip was going through the Narita Airport in Tokyo. Despite what we had been told, we found very little English written or spoken there by anyone. After a few quick, silent prayers and lots of hand gesturing we figured that we were suppose to take a bus to a different terminal on the other side of the airport. All said, I think we got on the right flight, or at least we got here either way.
The second most interesting part was when Zachary got airsick and the airsick bag on the plane had a hole in the bottom of it.
I have to say that the geography of Papua New Guinea is absolutely beautiful. When I saw the view off the back porch where we are staying, it just took my breath away. I am afraid to send any picture for fear that we will loose all our support.
In contrast to the beauty and natural resources of the geography here are the poverty and many social challenges that the country faces. Like most developing countries the physical and spiritual needs of PNG are evident at almost every turn. It has always been our prayer to one day work with a people full of needs and I believe the Lord has answered that prayer by leading us here.
Despite the many challenges that the people of PNG face they are amazingly fantastic people. Almost everyone that we have met so far has been very kind and very friendly and very welcoming. Like any group of people, they do have their “raskols” as they call them. But by and large I think Rachel and I were both surprised at just how warm and friendly everyone here has been.
Please do continue to pray for us because everything here is different. Not just the language, but we find ourselves having to learn everything all over again. We have to learn what is appropriate to wear and when, how to greet people, who we should even make eye contact with and who not to make prolonged eye contact with. There are some accepted everyday behaviors in the States that are totally unacceptable here. Other behaviors that would be awkward in the States are acceptable and sometimes even expected. It seems like every day is just packed full of new learning experiences.
How are we adjusting to all these changes? We just absolutely love it here. Thank you so much for your prayers and your support in sending us. We are very excited to finally be seeing first hand the many great things the Lord is going here. We’re glad that we finally get to be a part of it all too. We hope that you are also excited about being involved in bringing the Gospel to the people of Papua New Guinea.
With Much Love,
Matthew and Rachel Clayton |
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