Jacob loves his 4-wheeler! It is great for work, especially since he has a handy trailer now! But now Jacob is taking a little break from work for the next 1 1/2 months to finish up his language and culture study. This means he goes to the village almost every day to hang out with the people, observe their culture and learn more and more of the pidgin English language.
One of the Papa's in the village considers me a daughter. So Jacob likes to visit him on his trips to the village. His name is Peter and this is his son David, who is building a house. This house will be their sleep house, so they are building it off the ground.
David with his son.
David is showing Jacob the difference between a man's bilem (string bag) and a women's bilem. Bilems are a very important part of the PNG culture. This is a picture of a woman's bilem. But a man's bilem is a different size. It is the same length, but here he is marking the proper width of a man's bilem with his fingers. I am working on making a bilem for Jacob so I hope it is the right size!!
This is a picture of a typical "kuk haus" - cook house. Notice that it is built right on the ground, unlike the "slip haus" - sleep house.
Pigs are very important in the Papua New Guinea culture... they even build special houses for the pigs, "pik haus"... and they cook special sweet potato for their pigs too.
Here is Benjamin working in his garden.
Jacob thought that their method of falling trees was very interesting. They burn the base of the tree which causes the tree to start dying and eventually, it falls down itself.
This is Heva, one of the new Bena believers, and a little kid who likes to hang out with him.
Sometimes I get to go with Jacob to the village to hang out with the ladies. This time I had the privilege of giving a sweatshirt to a Mama in the village. A former co-worker, Nate sent it to her in a package. It was quite the experience!
A typical PNG greeting plus a a lot of excitement over her sweatshirt!
Wie, Nate's village mama, very happy that Nate thought of her and sent a sweatshirt and some photos!
A typical view around Interface.
Meanwhile, back in Massachusetts, my dad is battling the snow... I think he is doing a great job keeping it under control. :)
And meanwhile, back in Arizona, my sister, Ruth is walking a half-marathon. Her husband, Jay and two boys, Jack and Zander, along with my mom cheering got to cheer her on! I'm so proud of her.... loosing over 100 lbs in the the last two years!
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