Language Training & Cultural Experience

Stairs cut into the red earth 

Bubbles are always a big hit

School kids on the road in Ambang

A few days after arriving in PNG, we made our way to the bush village of Ambang for four days of language training and cultural experience. Traveling north of Kudjip past tea fields and coffee plantations, the road climbed into the mountains that separate the Waghi valley where we live from the more remote Jimi valley. Upon arriving in Ambang, our friends the Mason’s delivered us to the Ethnos360 (formerly known as New Tribe’s Missions-PNG) station. Levi and Robyn Lenz have lived here with their 4 children for the last 8 years working with people from the village translating the New Testament into the local Tok Ples (heart language). We were here to begin to learn Tok Pisin, the

New friends in Ambang

language that is used by all the people groups of PNG. Stephen, a patient, gentle man who lived next door to the Lenz’s, was to be one of our language helpers during our stay. Giving us a tour of his garden, Stephen pointed out the names of the bountiful plants that grew there. Soon we settled down to the business of learning the words, phrases, and correct pronunciation of Tok Pisin. Later that day we were introduced to Gabriel Mara who walked with us along the main road of the village where we were warmly greeted by many of the local people. After belo time (lunch), we enlisted the services of Daniel and Matthew, the Lenz’s sons, for a hike to the river. Down steps cut into the red earth, through gardens of tapiok, taro, and kaukau (sweet potatoes), past homes with barking dogs and kakaruks (chickens), we finally arrived at our destination. The boys played in the pools around the giant boulders and fast flowing water, while Brenda practiced her Tok Pisin with a woman washing her clothes.  Daniel and Matthew are not lacking for activity here in the bush of PNG. With a river to explore, homemade live traps to set, slingshots to use, and giant bats buzzing your outdoor hammock in the middle of the night, who needs TV!

Sunday school in the grass hut

Church service in Ambang

The clanging of the hammer on the tire rim was the call to church the next morning. After a time of singing, the kids left for Sunday school. Brenda accompanied them to the grass hut where they sang and had a Bible story about Elisha. Stephen led the service using Romans 8 translated into their Tok Ples. The service was a mix of reading, Stephen elaborating, and both men and women speaking up to exhort and encourage each other. Robyn and Levi are passionate about discipling these people, and it is obvious these people are passionate about living out God’s truth in their daily lives.

Shoes are removed before entering church

After returning to Kudjip, we began meeting each day until school began with our language helper, Sarah. We have a long ways to go in our journey of learning Tok Pisin, but our new friends are very patient, forgiving, and helpful to us!