Posted in Family, Glimpse, Ministry on Nov 17th, 2009 | Discuss This Post
Elijah (second from L) and Kanuka friends, 1992
Loud wailing greeted the boy as he neared the village – screaming sobs that announced the death of a Kanuka man. Elijah had hiked for hours with his father, who was a missionary to the this tribe in the dense interior of Papua New Guinea, to observe the funeral. They were hoping to see deeper into the minds of the Kanuka* people in order to better communicate the Gospel with them.
The ceremonial wailing continued long into the night. Part of the weeping was genuine sorrow for the dead; part of it was driven by fear, because the Kanuka believed that the spirit of the dead man was still lingering in the village. They were hoping to to appease the spirit so it would leave. Elijah wondered what else they believed… many of the rituals performed by the tribal people were motivated by the fear of spirits…but he was only thirteen years old, and fatigue was beginning to overtake him…
He lay down on a stick bed in one of the houses, but it was hard to sleep. The nubby sticks poked into him, smoke from the open fire stung his eyes, and the wailing was loudest here. It was in this hut that the family of the deceased kept watch over his body. Such a long night, the boy thought.
CRASH! Elijah jumped up out of the stick bed as he realized it was morning and he was all alone in the hut with the corpse. CRASH! He saw what was happening as the whooping and screaming began – the people were hurling rocks at the house he was in. They were stoning it to drive the dead man’s spirit out of the village, and anxiety struck him because the hut was none too sturdy. Elijah knew he didn’t want to stay there any longer! He dashed out the door.
The people were just as surprised as he was; they had forgotten about the white boy, whose face was even whiter now than it had been the day before. “Moso-moso (Little Bush Rat),” they asked him, “did you see the dead man’s spirit leave?”
“No,” Elijah answered. The strangeness of all that had happened left him a little dazed.
That afternoon he and his father hiked back home with their notes and a sober feeling inside, wishing they could communicate better with the Kanuka people.
*tribal name has been changed to protect the privacy of this people
Tags: funeral, Kanuka, Papua New Guinea
Posted in Family on Nov 17th, 2009 | Discuss This Post
Six small feet – a pair of wide ones, a pair of narrow ones, and one set of chubby soft feet – peeked out at me from under the covers. Elijah worked late again tonight, helping a friend move in, so the kids and I made it a “special time”. Soft classical music played, three candles burned and three bright sippy cups with peppermint tea were busily slurped as I gave each of the kids a foot rub. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Ministry on Nov 17th, 2009 | Discuss This Post
On the road to Paraguay!
Yes!
The field leadership in Paraguay contacted us, informing us that there is no longer a need for us to go to Mexico first. A new language program is being started and we will be able to learn Spanish in Paraguay!
The Lord has provided and continues to do so. We were reminiscing this evening about the various ways He has chosen to do His work in His time… like when, in training, our bank account showed a balance of twenty – six dollars - not much in the way of earthly wealth. Later that week someone sent us a check for five thousand dollars that paid for our entire next semester’s tuition! God is good indeed, and we are thanking Him.
Posted in Family, Ministry on May 30th, 2009 | Discuss This Post
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Finishing school. Back home for two months. On the road with our three children for two months, back home busily getting ready for the baby to arrive the next month. Looking on to the summer, mountains of paperwork, preparation, construction jobs, ministry opportunities… then field preparation as we hope to be leaving before the end of 2009 – does this sound something like your busy life as well? So much to do and seemingly so little time? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Family, Ministry on Feb 13th, 2009 | Discuss This Post
The Halls are back in chilly Maine doing the kinds of things that winter dwellers do…
Sledding on the icy hills as winter breeze whips by; snowball “tosses” with the kids, hauling firewood and enjoying hot spiced apple cider with family.
Elijah and Elisha even camped out in the snow cave for a night! Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Ministry on Dec 21st, 2008 | Discuss This Post
ON TO THE NEXT STEP!
December 19th we graduated, tomorrow we are leaving the state, and the next year looks to be as busy as the last two! Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Ministry on Dec 6th, 2008 | Discuss This Post
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“Aaah.”
“Haah.”
Ninety-odd voices in our classroom resonated as we “learned to read” again – a part of the literacy training we recieved the past couple of weeks.
We, along with our classmates, take our ability to read for granted and barely realize the impact it has on our relationship with the Lord. Just how important is it? Try not reading your Bible for a while… Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Ministry on Nov 22nd, 2008 | Discuss This Post
As Elijah walked into the cell block where inmates clustered around a TV, he caught a glance of the screen and groaned inwardly. It was already one of those days…
He said, “Hey guys! You can come have a Bible study with me or go watch that trash somewhere else, okay?” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Family, Ministry on Nov 1st, 2008 | Discuss This Post
What to do when jungle camp is canceled?
Substitute another camping experience!
Traditionally New Tribes Mission students have spent six weeks at a “jungle camp” where they build their own pole frame homes, cook from scratch, and other activities associated with simple living. Since there was no jungle camp for us this year we decided on the next best thing: forest camp! Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Uncategorized on Oct 11th, 2008 | Discuss This Post
We’re happy to announce that we are expecting our fourth baby in June of 2009.
Moira is feeling well and the entire family is abuzz with excitement over a new baby. Elisha thinks it’s a girl and Jerusha is convinced it’s a boy, but regardless of gender, it’s a blessing!
Children are truly a reward from our loving Lord.
Elijah and Moira Hall TRIBAL MISSIONS - Reaching the unreached 
