Wewak has completely starting feeling like home and each day I am reminded of God’s goodness in bringing me here!
Sunday, Feb. 5

Visited the Wetzel’s (family we are living with) church this morning. A few rules – none of us women could give the message and each gender had to sit on opposite sides – brought up some frustration from teammates about the injustice toward women here, even in the church (more on “Reshaped Perspectives”). Despite that, we had a great time worshipping, listening to Ethan share on being an honorable man/woman, and meeting the congregation, some of whom we already knew from doing business devotions. That’s one of the coolest things about the town of Wewak: it seems to hold soo many people, yet wherever we go we know people and feel so at home. It will definitely be weird going home and not waving wildly at all the people on the street, saying “apinun” (good afternoon) a trillion times a day, and having conversations with all the random women in the market. The open arms and interconnected, super close community in PNG is amazing, but something that isn’t always as beneficial as it could be if centered on Jesus. Later, we had a prayer meeting with a YWAM team from Australia we have been working with all week and really getting to know! It’s so fun to have an even bigger community here all working toward the same goals with one heart. 

Monday, Feb. 6

As we showed up to the bookstore today, it was spontaneously decided that Ashley, Marie & I would split off to give a devotion at the main offices. Good thing we have a God that can speak through us when we have no preparation 🙂 It went so well with Ashley leading worship & then Marie and I speaking on the abundance of God’s mercy (Lamentations 3:23) He gives each morning to grow in & live out the fruits of the Spirit. Then we headed to the market to kill time and ended up being encircled by over a hundred people as we sang songs, told a Bible story, and taught them the wave! We spent an hour laughing, using our Pigen, and praying for people after. It’s crazy how it only takes a few strums on a guitar to draw a crowd instantly! We even met a young man who wants to join our ministry! Keep praying for these awesome encounters and gatherings were people walk away wanting to know Jesus a bit more or deciding to live life differently!
Tuesday, Feb. 7

Hiked up a hill, and therefore dripping sweat, to get to the hotel to give our staff devotion this morning! At first the people seemed reserved, like usual, but almost all ended up asking for prayer, staying to talk with us, and one even asked a super difficult theological question & walked away seeming satisfied and content in his faith! As we headed to the market, we met a business man who was so excited about YWAM & asked if we could do a devotion at his company! He was so eager to meet us and have us come, it was so encouraging that God was literally putting people in our path! “Market ministry” today was good, but a lot more scattered than yesterday, since we didn’t have Ashely to lead worship. Although a little sporadic, you could tell the crowd still loved the songs, message, and prayer! Side note update: we tried the wave again, with little progress from yesterday hahahha but still a fun time! Later we had a prayer meeting and started giving testimonies! I have been amazed lately as God has been revealing parts of my past I didn’t realize He was there, guiding and growing me! I’ve never thought my testimony was worth telling, but tonight I was sooo excited to tell of my journey throughout my life, with God beside me all the way! A lot of cool things God has been showing me about myself, the world around me, my past, & my future…
Wednesday, Feb. 8

Devotion at the main bank in town, who gave us an hour to speak! Marie and I spoke about purpose and living fulfilled each day in Christ after Jordan did worship. Prayed for Justina, a lady who was so inspiring – husband off in the army, 8 months pregnant, working at one of the most prestigious jobs in town to support her soon-to-be family! After a quick meeting with the other team at the warehouse, we went into the market for another awesome day of worship (Ashley is absolutely killin’ it on the guitar), tried out a new skit (Jesus & Peter walking on water), mini message, again attempted the wave, and lots of prayer 🙂 
Thursday, Feb. 9

The morning started with a devotion for a ton of construction workers at a hotel, with one of the Australian team talking about pursuing relationship with God. Since we didn’t have a local with us today, I gave a recap in Pigen after! So fun! When we all met back up at the warehouse, the group felt an overwhelming sense to not do market ministry today. I was frustrated with God, asking why I never have peace about “resting” like others felt God wanted so strongly. They allowed me, Marie, & Ashely to walk through the market, at least, just to say hi to some women (we’re totally locals now, seriously there are familiar faces everywhere!) and ended up meeting an awesome lady, Jennifer, who was so proud of YWAM and being a pastor’s wife, gave us coconuts haha – just a glimpse at how friendly everyone is! When we got home, the missionary we live with asked if we could drive Debbie, the ship cook, & a PNG local to run errands! Absolute blast feeling so at home in Wewak, driving the streets, knowing the market & grocery store, & even stopping for ice cream! What I projected would be a terrible afternoon became an incredibly fulfilling day full of welcoming people! Later, we did another devotion at the car buying place (what’s the word?) where I met another inspiring woman, who has worked this steady job for 10ish years to put her 4 kids through school as a single mom. Wow, you just don’t see/hear of anything like that here. Crazy moment: On our walk back from an afternoon radio meeting, we heard someone shout our names behind us & it was one of the girls we fell in love with in Angoram!! Talk about divine appointment – what are the odds we walk at the same time & place as she is in her few hours in town! I was just thinking how I wish I gave her my disney hat & then boom! She’s there and we walk together to get the hat, some pencils (huge hit here haha) & a tshirt. Just incredible. We finished our night with a bonfire to say goodbye to some YWAMers we lived with, talking & eating chicken dogs!

Friday, Feb. 10

Technically a day off, but it was more my kind of day off because it was still full of things 🙂 On me and Ethan’s 2nd daily run, I stopped to meet some women & kids selling plantains/various groceries. Here there are mini family huts every 10 yards selling the exact same things: chicken flavor powder, rice, beetlenut (drug that turns your teeth red), & milk crackers. Not exactly gourmet food stands, but definitely a community norm where family stops by to hang out through the day. In the afternoon, we walked to the national Christian radio station to record some devotions to play later this week… so we thought. Typical PNG (land of the unexpected) to have you go live on the air 5 minutes after you arrive!! A little stressful but a few minutes into the hour, we all felt pretty comfortable. I shared on the sense of “home” we have in a relationship with God and His example of a Christ-centered family. Soon after, we packed up and moved back on to the boat, reunited with the amazing community & ship life one last time!

Saturday, Feb. 11

Jumpin’ right back into it with early morning breakfast prep! Woke up at 4am to say goodbye to the midwife I got super close to on board 😦 Today we cleaned & prepared for our thank you reception to all the businesses in the area, telling them the God-filled stories of the Sepik and appreciating their support. Also, our DTS leaders flew in Thursday to check in on us, encourage us, and smooth any edges so far. My one-on-one was today and although it was tough at first rehashing some not-so-great parts, but I really gotta say that looking back, for the most part I can only remember the amazing times we’ve had here in PNG! 
Monday, Feb. 13

Started the day with scrubbing mold and grease off the walls, with seemingly no progress (a little disheartening) and sickness on the rise. After our chores, I had to go lay down & try to sleep away the oncoming nausea. The past few nights I’ve had the worst sleep I’ve ever had, waking up from banging my head against the wall (haha you’re allowed to laugh at that) a million times, thinking/dreaming (still not sure) I was gonna throw up at 3am, and waking up feeling horrible. As much as I hated it, a day of rest was needed. Fortunately, I got to read a lot on prayer (“Moving Mountains”) and go for an evening walk, which turned into an awesome time meeting another hut-market family! I can’t wait to come back tomorrow & keep building this already strong relationship with Georgina, her kids, & even parents who stop by the stand!

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Cleaning and receptions. But throughout, I am totally enjoying showing love and trying to refresh the long term staff on board. It’s been a long journey for them, not always easy, and we love looking for ways to help out, give encouragement/massages (haha), or even just a laugh + a card game! In the afternoon, we went for the same walk to hang out with Georgina and were surprised with gifts! Although typical to receive baskets/pineapple from random locals, it’s not everyday someone gives a PNG flag homemade dress (“mary blous”)! The generosity here is overwhelming, definitely making me rethink my Western perspective of generous. Oh & Happy Valentine’s day! Even though PNG doesn’t celebrate this holiday, we ended the night with Debbie’s famous chocolate cake!

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Walked back to the ship this morning for one last reception. However, we stood at our greeting position for over an hour before getting word that our honorable guest is not coming for another 4 hours. Today was a big day for YWAM – Grand Chief Governor Sir Somare (first Prime Minister & now governor) came onboard to find out more about the amazing things God has done trough us in the past 2 years in PNG! Unfortunately, our team had to leave before he arrived, but it’s still so exciting that we helped clean for & organize this. Saying goodbye to the family we made on the Pacific Link was so hard, considering most of whom live thousands of miles away from me and I’ll most likely never see them again. But the day got a little better after seeing our local friends walking home, going for a run with Ethan & running into some more friends, and trying lamb (yay for street meat haha). 
Thursday, Feb. 16

Awesome time of prayer & worship, planning & looking ahead. Some exciting plans on the horizon! Later, we met with a pastor to nail down some events & then heading to a smaller local market (not the giant one we’ve been going to) to sing, encourage, & pray with them! It’s crazy how different the people respond to such a ministry than Americans would respond to people praising God on the corner/marketplace! They absolutely love it, ask for more songs, shake our hands violently with giant smiles of appreciation, and unashamedly film us from all angles! Love these people!