United to Be…and other things

Ah United to Be…how I love thee and yet how frustrating thee are…I know just a few weeks ago I was saying how United to Be was struggling, well, now they’re on full throttle once again. This happens. Quite often.

My friends Lauren and Michelle helped me make t-shirts for United to Be during my stay in the States…last week was the first time that UTB used them…they loved them. Yes, they’re homemade t-shirts and not exactly what one would call “professional”, but they are a uniform…and they bring a sense of team and unity (quite necessary in a team called “UNITED to be”)…they were really excited to be wearing their new uniforms.

Every Sunday the “Taramedics” play Rugby over at Pausa High School. The Taramedics are the Mambisanda Community rugby team…good times. Anyway, there is usually a very large crowd gathered at these games. So, armed with our t-shirts, a piece of wood (the “bridge”) and pieces of paper that represented the crocodiles and pirates of life (troubles that we can get into) and stepping stones (the things and people God places in our lives to help us out) we went to perform our “Bridge of Life” drama. It was an unruly crowd (as most crowds are at sporting events), but they showed an amazing amount of respect. And the Taramedics supported UTB fully and, in turn, UTB fully supported the Taramedics as they played…then it rained and poured and we went home smashed in a 10 seater car—soaked, cold and happy. Good times were had by all and some good questions were raised by our audience about “falling down” to sin and what it takes to get back “on the bridge of life”…it is a major belief around here that once someone falls into temptation, that God has turned their backs on them and it is difficult to encourage repentance…but UTB spread the message that says “we all will fall, it’s in our nature” but God loves us so much that He forsees our failures and places “stepping stones” for us to lean on…things like spiritual values, mentors, positive peer pressure, education, etc…so that we can land on them, or cling onto them as we struggle to get back on what I call the bridge of life…we aren’t drowning and the current is not going to carry us away. Our message was being directed at a population that needed to hear our message.

In other areas of work, the VCT is still seeing a steady flow of people coming to get tested for HIV and receive spiritual counseling. Approximately 6% of the people who come in to get tested are HIV positive…in Laiagam, it’s about 11%. For a country that proclaims a 1.7% HIV prevelance rate, that is quite the discrepancy. Who knows?

I’ve been doing devotions up at FourSquare High School and Wapenamanda International Christian School every once in awhile, which has been a bit fun. I spend a bit of time at these two schools. I gave my HIV Teaching Manual to a FourSquare High School teacher…he’s the personal development teacher for the grade 9s (the freshman). In the national curriculum, schools are supposed to be teaching HIV…however, many teachers find it difficult to research basic facts, creating activities, etc. Thus, the HIV Teaching Manual…I handed it over in blind faith that it would be used…then some grade 9 students come to my door with questions about the homework they have been given by their teacher…and much to my surprise and delight, it was part of the manual I had given the teacher…it’s actually being implemented. The manual not only talks about basic HIV facts, but social and cultural implications and values that need to be addressed in order to decrease the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS. So, that was fairly exciting to see. Too often, doing community work like I do, you don’t see the direct impact that you have.

Sunday School: They’ve gotten the itch to do creative dances and dramas…good times, good times…has Liz ever done creative dances? NO…but she tries…and with heaps of help from Matilda, she’s actually succeeding (I should say Matilda is succeeding because she has taught the two creative dances—one was one that already existed to the song Who Am I? and the other I created to Light of the World from Godspell…but she’s doing the teaching, I’m there for technical support and emotional support )…it’s great to see the youth taking interest in the Sunday School. Usually the creative dances are performed by either the Sunday School or the Youth…but now I have the Youth performing with the Sunday School…it’s great to see the unity. Now I have to figure out what to do about a Christmas Drama…here’s to praying the creative juices start to flow because i have three dramas to write before the end of next week.

I guess that’s about it for now…I’m up at Amapyaka again, so, depending on the connection strength, I’ll try to add some more pictures…these of UTB rugby…the pics of the Sunday School learning their creative dances are still on my camera, oops!

Well, I welcome Steve and Julie back with open arms to Mambisanda…they had been on compassionate leave in the States due to Julie’s father’s death…it can get awfully lonely being just one person at Mambisanda. It’s kind of fun, but when problems arise, it’s nice to have some sort of emotional support. So, woe is me but happy is me to see them back!

I guess a Happy Thanksgiving is in order for all of you back in the States…that is, if I don’t get back up to Amapyaka before next Thursday…not sure how I’ll be celebrating it this year…last year I was with UTB in Madang, the year before by myself in Mambisanda—now, might be time for a proper Thanksgiving Day. (sans Turkey, of course—but chicken is good too).

Peace and love from Mambisanda, Enga.

Cholera, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be…

Ok, I really thought that with this new blogging system, I’d be a bit more diligent in my writing…alas, once again, I have proven myself wrong…I’m just a horrible communicator no matter which way you look at it.

How to summarize the last two months? That just might be nearly impossible. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling back and forth to Laiagam…which is about 2 hour drive from Mambisanda…I’m not talking highway driving, I’m talking the only reason you speed up is to get to the next pothole, which may swallow your car whole if you are not careful. I’ve been working with Anna Kaipare and her family to do mobile VCT testing and HIV awareness up there. I’ve also been working with the hospital to assist them in providing services for those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. Of course, it’s not all work…being in Laiagam is always like a small holiday…no one there knocks on my door or really bothers me for any reason, it’s nice.

United to Be is…what can I say? It’s struggling, which it does…the work ebbs and flows…right now, it’s ebbing. Although, if I say to be somewhere at a certain time, I know that several people will show up, so it’s “not dead yet”…(to quote Monty Python). There are the faithful few who show up rain or shine…whether other people are there or not, so that’s nice and comforting…so, please, continue to keep UTB in your prayers.

About a month ago, a new disease was introduced into PNG…Cholera. While, it’s not new to the world, it is new to PNG. So, that jumpstarted the LCMS mission workers to do awareness, create pamphlets, build “Cholera” beds, clean out old wards to be used as isolation wards…that initial drive to work lasted all of 2 weeks, maybe…then, one by one, as media forgot to mention Cholera the intensity with which people were working began to fade…except for UTB…and me…I’m still creating new pamphlets, advising the provincial government, going to schools, markets, etc…talking to kai bars (restaurants, of sorts), creating dramas for UTB.

While I feel a bit guilty for admitting it, I find Cholera exciting. It’s something new to learn and it’s a bit exhilarating to be on the front lines of a new, deadly disease…to have to create an approach on how to fight it and then modify and reorganize your thoughts as you implement your plans…realizing that, sometimes, it just doesn’t work out the way you want it to…

As for my social life, the Lord has blessed me with some amazing new friendships in the past year. A family to call my own…it’s like having 6 younger siblings that I never wanted but cherish more than life itself. And several moms away from home (because they call their Aunts “mom”) and, yeah, it’s been a breath of fresh air from the friendships I had known.

The Lord continues to bless me and see me through difficult times. As I look toward to my final days, I try not to be too sad…because it’s just absolutely amazing that I was given this opportunity to serve the people of Papua New Guinea. Although, to be honest, I’m probably going to have a nervous breakdown as even the thought of leaving breaks my heart into a million pieces.

I guess that’s about it for now. I’m actually up at Amapyaka today, so I might try to add some pictures while I’m at it. I don’t have any pictures of Cholera awareness, but I do have some of HIV awareness in Laiagam…and my new “little sister” (aka my PNG niece).

Peace and God’s blessings to each and every one of you. There really is a hero in all of us. We’ve all been designed by God to be a blessing to many- a hero to some. Be passionate about something and challenge yourself to be a blessing to someone today. And never forget that you are clutched in the grasp of God who will never let you go.

Peace and blessings,

Liz

Back in Tropical Paradise

Welcome Home…that’s what many said to me when I arrived. Welcome home…yes, Papua New Guinea has become a bit of home, a bit of where my heart is. It’s strange to feel as if I left home, just to arrive there again on the other side of the world. There have been many screams of joy and tears and hugs and handshakes this past week—all welcoming me “home”. Which makes it all the more difficult to think about leaving for an extended period of time. On my long journey back to PNG, I started Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. In the beginning of the book is a quote that I would like to share with y’all, “I know that if I’d never gone to Forks, I wouldn’t be facing death now. But, terrified as I was, I couldn’t bring myself to regret the decision. When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it’s not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end.” I really liked this passage…sure, it’s not Forks, but PNG and I’m not facing death…but I don’t regret my decision to come to Papua New Guinea, love the people here, fight for them and spend the last three years of my life with them. I wish I had more freedom to stay, but the responsibilities of real life await me back in the States…so, do I shirk them for a few more years or go face “reality”. Maybe I need to start acknowledging the end of this dream, this blessing that God has given me that is beyond anything I could’ve expected out of my humble life, and try not to grieve its end, but look forward to a new beginning. I will be honest, I don’t want to leave this beautiful place, it will be like ripping a part of my soul out of my body and leaving it here. I guess, as I make that decision, my role here in the next few months is to make sure all the projects that I have initiated are sustainable and people are motivated to make it continue without my presence.
My first week back I took the time to recover from jetlag, because I have this really bad habit of not being able to sleep at all on planes…which means a lot of “catch-up” time when I land…yay. Anyway, so I recovered and took the time to visit with friends and family, which was nice as well. However, Friday I had to start work again, it was our first United to Be (UTB) meeting since my return and the report was given…I closed my eyes, crossed my fingers and took a deep breath…and much to my surprise UTB didn’t give-up during my break, they continued on…it was so beautiful to hear. Engans are notorious for letting projects fall by the wayside when the missionary leaves. Of pretending they are helpless until someone comes to help them, but UTB didn’t do this. They weren’t as active as I would’ve liked, but they pulled off two market HIV awareness programmes—which means dramas and speeches. They continued to meet and have house fellowship! I was so excited to hear this. When I left, I had given UTB K150 to spend on their awareness campaign. As anyone who has worked in Papua New Guinea can tell you, when you give this sort of money, you don’t expect any of it back. Cultural practice is to spend what you have today on today and worry about tomorrow later…but they didn’t spend one toea (penny) of the K150 I had given them. This means that instead of taking PMVs (public motorized vehicles—aka overstuffed 15 passenger vans) to and from the awareness, they walked…I don’t think I can impress upon you the significance of them returning the K150. It means that they have learned financial stewardship, responsibility, accountability, etc. in a land full of a corruption and greed. Praise God…
I have also spoken to many of my Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) centre counselors (who are also volunteers) who have reported back that they actually followed the roster (as much as possible-when there weren’t many people to be tested, one would take off and Elaizha would remain) and continued to work in the 6 weeks since my departure. Which is also amazing. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and has helped me see the awesome hand that God has had in all the work being done through my presence here. Because without Him, none of this would have been possible. I have not looked at the most recent HIV statistics yet, but when I left…our little Centre was seeing about 60 patients a month and about 7% of them were testing positive for HIV and the mobile clinic was seeing about 60 patients each weekend and about 11% of them were testing positive for HIV. This is not a small problem in Papua New Guinea, in fact, I’m not sure we realise just how large of a problem it is yet. I keep in my prayers that Papua New Guinea does not become the next South Africa or Botswana.
On Saturday, UTB had its first house fellowship since my return and we invited Dr. Steve and Julie to join us. They have been on an extended medical leave to the States, but returned 5 days before me. God has blessed them with courage and strength to continue on in their work…Dr. Steve is searching for new roles and is finding them. While his physical “disability” now limits his time in surgery, that does not mean that his intelligence is wasted. He is taking the time to teach younger Papua New Guienan doctors correct and new methods in surgery. He is consulted on difficult cases and is still a huge blessing to the people of Enga. And on Sunday was a “Welcome Home” party for Dr. Steve, Julie and myself. United to Be members contributed the food and we contributed the house—about 50 people piled into Dr. Steve’s house and it was like having a large family over for dinner (something that I never got to experience growing up, I have a rather small family).
Monday I went to check in on all the schools with which I have been working. Right before I left, I had started working with Wapenemanda Primary School…so I was a little worried about going there because I wasn’t sure how confident they had become in teaching HIV/AIDS in the classroom. So, with timid steps, I walked up to the headmasters office and knocked softly, he invited me in with a huge smile and a handshake. He was excited to see me and knew the staff would be as well. He tells me that the little birds are chirping in his ears that the manual that I had written and given them is being implemented in the classroom and the teachers are finding it easy to use. I am invited back again today (Tuesday) during teacher’s tea to discuss what they have been doing. I then went to speak with the deputy headmaster about what he was doing in the classroom and he began to talk all about the lessons that he has gone through already. It was exciting to see the deputy headmaster excited about teaching HIV/AIDS in the classroom. With a sigh of relief, I walked up to Wapenamanda International Christian School (WICS)- this was about a 20 minute walk. At WICS, Mr. Nick (the teacher with whom I have been working) reported back to me that they are finishing the other manual that I have written and the students thoroughly enjoyed it. Thier final test will be taken next Thursday and I have been invited to join them for it. He tells me that he is excited to continue with these two teaching manuals in his classroom. He teaches a combined 7th and 8th grade class, so he plans on rotating the two teaching manuals so that the teaching style is not repetitive for the students. My last journey of the day was up to Four Square High School. The report from there was that they have already started the Bible Studies that I had planned for the dormitory students- again, exciting and surprising to hear. We are also planning on inviting UTB to join their Sport Sundays with other high schools from around the Enga Province. This will build a relationship between UTB members and the students so that, hopefully, the students will feel more comfortable with asking the “embarassing” questions about Sex and HIV/AIDS. This will also, hopefully, provide a starting ground for the other schools to think about implementing HIV/AIDS into their classrooms and creating HIV Awareness Groups like UTB into their communities. That is the theory, anyway.
So, that was my Monday and my Tuesday looks somewhat similar because I’m going back up to Wapenamanda Primary and back to Four Square to talk to their headmaster about doing a Blood Contact/First Aid training for the teachers. Then back to Mambisanda to check up more thoroughly with Nyaimanya VCT Centre (our VCT Centre). Good times.
I hope that you are all having a blessed day/week and remember that “no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” (aesop). Lukim yu bihain (see ya later).

The Beginning

Welcome to my new blog…a bit about me, eh?

My name is Liz Neuf and I have been living in Papua New Guinea for the last three years working as a volunteer missionary doing Community Development work in HIV/AIDS initiatives. Sounds impressive, right? Well, it’s not…not really. But it is pretty cool…

I’m not quite sure where to start. For the last three years I have enjoyed the triumphs, failures, challenges, sorrows and joys that come with working in the Enga Province of Papua New Guinea.  I am the “advisor” for the group United to Be. They are a grassroots community activist group working to shed light on issues revolving around HIV/AIDS, the environment, domestic abuse, child abuse and other issues which negatively affect their community. I know I’m a little biased, but they are amazing! And they are all volunteers which is counter to their traditional cultural values. So, they rock! I’m also the supervisor (and creator) of the Nyaimanya VCT Centre…a Voluntary Counseling and Testing centre for HIV/AIDS. United to Be (UTB) does a lot of volunteer work in the community including counseling, supplying food for people living with HIV/AIDS in the hospital wards, providing home based care where people are abandoned by church and family…any many other things!

So, while this is the beginning of this blog, it is not the beginning of the work being done. Quite unfortunately, I’m not sure how much longer I will be working in Papua New Guinea, but I pray and hope that the work continues long after I have returned to the States.

While I’m in the States (until 8 August 2009, and I do speaking engagements), I’m going to educate people as much as possible about the epidemic…so, read more of my posts and you’ll learn more about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Papua New Guinea…you’ll learn more about the people of PNG…basically, you’ll just learn…if you like that sort of thing. And you’ll get to know me a little better (for better or for worse)…

*some warnings: I can be rather sarcastic…I’ll try to make side notes to let you know when this happens…but it’s such an innate character flaw, that some may slip by…I appologize in advance for these moments.

Aight…Guess that’s it for now…a little more a little later…