Heather Turek Just another weblog 
Our whole team was piled into the back of a truck on our way to the Interface campus. This was our first form of ground transportation since leaving L.A. 43 hours earlier.
The Toyota Landcruiser trailing us was packed high with our suitcases swaying about on its roof. I was glad to see a Landcruiser doing what it was made for: off-roading and work…not just rolling around in a nicely paved suburbia!
As we rode through the village, the nationals waved at us. Kids smiled and yelled at us to get our attention. I’m still not sure if it’s because we’re white or because they’re so friendly they wave at everyone. I can tell you, though, watching us is a form of entertainment for them!
We had our first tastes of PNG culture in the airports. They were stinkin’ hot but fun! While we stood in line for our boarding passes, security was pulling butcher knives out of a lady’s carry-on bags.
I stepped on a cockroach my first night here. I was barefoot and it felt kinda smooth and slimy at the same time. Funny thing was it didn’t freak me out. A week ago in Florida I would have been totally grossed out. It’s amazing how a changed perspective affects how I react and approach situations.
For example: I will be wearing skirts for the next 6 weeks. For any one who knows me…I highly dislike wearing them. You see, in PNG culture, a woman who doesn’t wear a skirt isn’t considered modest.
I don’t want to offend any nationals and I don’t want to ruin the good reputation that missionaries here have worked so long to build. When I keep this perspective it makes it easier to pull on a skirt in the morning.
I’ll tell you what though, I’ve had some close calls in these skirts! I’ve closed them in the doors, stepped on them when I stood up, and have tripped on them numerous times!
I know that giving up my choice of clothing is a small sacrifice in comparison to what Christ gave up to become a man and live in the slums we call "Earth" so that we could be with Him in Heaven.
Philippians 3:7-8 "I once thought that all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…"
What’s keeping you from knowing Him?
