1. PMV arriving safely to Goroka

Last Friday was for my first day off since my start in May. I had planned to spend the weekend in Goroka with some good friends. Goroka is 170km’s from Mt Hagen, most people fly to get around the country. It is not normal to see a whiteman on a PMV, so like anywhere I drew a lot of attention. If there are any roads or highways here they are limited. So I decided that I would travel down to Goroka via PMV (Private Motor Vehicle) and fly back up on the Monday. I knew that it would be a good cultural experience and a bit of action too. The main cause of death in a foreign country is traveling on a PMV. The Highways here, not many people would drive on them. So I knew that I was in for some ride.

I arrived to the bus stop around 0915 Friday morning, to find PMV’s and people everywhere. The only way I can describe it would be chaos. There is no order as the vehicles move about this bay trying to fill seats. The vehicles can range from a 15 seater van to a coaster bus. Fortunately for me as I was traveling by myself and was my first time, I had a national work mate who could direct me to which one would be good to hop onto. But despite being nearly full, we circulated and did not leave for almost another 35 mins!

As we started to head out of town I was relieved that we were starting to get away, but before long we pulled into a service station to fill up. Here the boskru (the drivers assistant or crew of the bus) collects fares. It was 25K for me to Goroka. But as we waited to get some Diesel, people circulated the bus trying to sell different things, from cooked food to cigarettes. We finally got away again and pass the turn off for the airport and we pull over again on the highway. And I am thinking what is it now, and majority of the passengers get off the bus and head to the bushes, some carrying toilet paper. Obviously a toilet stop before the 3.5 hour trip to Goroka and even further for others.

2. 34 passengers on board the PMV weaving around a mountain

Most PMV drivers to westerners have the reputation as crazy drivers. Which was true in this case, but still I was impressed by his driving skills and his knowledge of the road. Considering how rough the road is, where there are massive pot holes, parts of the road missing, and the road turning completely into a gravel road it was a smooth ride.

After sometime we stopped briefly in a town in the Simbu Province, absolutely filled with people in the middle of no where. Again as we waited to let off a passenger and gain another, people were trying to sell us stuff from outside. I was warned by the lady next to me to close my window, as people will reach in and grab my bag. We headed off after gaining another passenger and just out of town came across some road works (which is a rare sight). We stopped at the first traffic officer with a stop sign, but at the second the driver kept going. And a policeman came from the side of the road pulled the bus over. We were held there for sometime and a place I didn’t want to get stuck at. In the end the policeman asked for money, as the road workers were complaining. It started at 30K, but in the end the boskru paid 10K.

We continued to travel over mountains, ridges and rivers. It was amazing to see this scenery from the road, which I had previously seen from the air. With that the atmosphere inside the PMV of people smoking, chewing betel nut and babies pooping. As we worked our way through the last pass and through rain. We quickly descended, weaving down this pass that stood 9000ft above sea level and a place where PMV’s have run straight over the edge. I guessed that we were hitting 120km/h down this road with 34 people on board. As we entered Goroka, we encountered a police check point, which normally check for drugs and firearms. Again we were held there and asked for money, again the boskru paid 10K to the police.

3. Expression of an interesting trip

We safely arrived in Goroka at the market where the drop off point is. I was glad to make it after being in the back of that bus for four and a half hours. I talked to some of the locals before being picked up by one of my friends. So it was definitely an interesting experience, one that most people don’t do and one of adventure. Which I now can tick off the list of things to experience in PNG, but also gives me more insight into the culture here but also again more appreciation of what MAF does here in PNG.

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I spent last weekend in Goroka with some good friends from POC. They are based there serving with CRMF (Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship). Wantok in Tok Pisin means one who has the same language as you or  is from the same country, so if you share the same Clan language in PNG you are Wantoks. I have been in Mt Hagen for three months now and has been a busy time. Mt Hagen is known as the ‘wild west’ being the capital of the Western Highlands Province and for other reasons. But many people find it a stressful place to live. And I was due to get out of Hagen and spend some time else where. I arrived in Goroka on Friday afternoon and flew out around Monday lunch time. Spent the weekend with my Wantoks who had two relatives visiting too. and spent sometime with the kids. I  recieved  another look inside a young family and what to expect. I do notice how much quiter it is at my place now I am back. So it was good to get out, but also good to visit friends in Goroka for the weekend.

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On this night eight years ago, Cathy Freeman won gold in the women’s 400m final at the Sydney Olympics. But also on that night I heard the gospel clearly in the Ayling’s basement. I repented from my sin and surrendered my life to Christ. On this day I was saved! Today is my spiritual birthday and I turn 8. And to think back to sitting in that arm chair in that basement, to now where I am sitting, really blows my mind. I am so grateful that God has saved me and that I can be His child. The life that He has saved me from and the life that I now have in Him. But also what He has done in that time, it feels like a lifetime, but is not that long. Life without Him would be meaningless and it’s good to reflect on what I have been saved from, but also what He has done. I thank and praise God for his mercy and grace upon my life and all glory belongs to Him.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

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1. Engine removed and firewall treated for corrosion

I have been to a lot of churches in my short time here, and almost every church during their service says:

“God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good”

2. Engine with new engine mount, ready for installation

But God is definitely good! The main reason why we removed the engine from our aircraft the other week was due to the engine mount having damage beyond limits. This involved ordering a new engine mount from Gippslands in Melbourne. We purchased it from them on the Wednesday just over two weeks ago. We requested overnight air freight to Cairns, which would cost $1600AU. Every Wednesday there is a charter flight by a  company from Cairns direct to Mt Hagen, the only direct flight. Fortunately MAF have an arrangement with them and we can get parts, supplies and staff up on these flights. with there is space. But anyway come two days later on the Friday, the engine mount was still in Melbourne somewhere in the sticks waiting in a freight depot. Monday and Tuesday pass, checking the online tracking and still no movement. Come Wednesday morning we start to think that we will not receive the part until the following Wednesday. Meaning that the aircraft will be on the ground for an additional week, to an already extended time out of service. But later that morning we receive news that the engine mount had made it to Cairns, but was too late for the flight. But some how the flight was delayed by four hours, meaning the part just made it onto the flight at the last minute. Later that afternoon, we had received the new engine mount and started to prepare the engine for installation. Not only did we save a week of the aircraft sitting on the ground. But somehow in Melbourne someone at the depot made a mistake and did not place the big package onto air freight, but it was put on a back of a truck. This departed Melbourne Friday and arrived in Cairns Wednesday morning. This meant instead of paying the $1600 for freight, it was only $140 roughly. So to receive a part for an aircraft on the ground in a week is really quick, normally for urgent parts it can take 6-8 weeks. So praise God!

3. Engine installed

Also today in perfect timing we finished the check. What was to be three days of scheduled maintenance turned into almost three weeks of unscheduled maintenance. But during this time we carried out a lot of major work and the condition of the aircraft is now quite encouraging. And all three of us are heading interstate tomorrow, I for the weekend and others for the week. So to accomplish the work and in this time is really awesome and would have to be the most satisfying release of an aircraft so far.

4. Looking good, new windshield installed too

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Last Monday I finally made an agreement on the price of car with the seller after months of looking. It has been quite a process trying to find a second hand car in Mt Hagen. The second car hand market here is not very lively, is expensive and cars are not the best for wear. My criteria for a vehicle was mainly that it was a 4WD diesel and if possible a turbo diesel. And it needed to be able to drive through a road block if required, just joking. The normal thing for a missionary here is to buy a car off another missionary that is leaving the country. And that can take some time and there is a lot of interest once a car becomes available. So instead of waiting till next year, I started looking else where through national contacts and friends. I had come across a few cars, one that should be covered in petrol and burned to the ground. You would not believe the condition of that vehicle. I have never seen such a late 90′s model vehicle worse for wear. In the end I came across a 1985 Toyota Landcruiser, which I test drove after waiting some time. The owner offered a look at the vehicle quite promptly after they saw me test driving another vehicle. After a look over and a test drive the negotiations started. In PNG people always, always bargain. So the price started off at $15000K (one Kina, PNG dollar = between 0.40 – 0.45 Australian dollars) and negotiations went on. Going back and forward, up and down in price until I gave my final offer of $6000K (bargain boy would be proud) and was agreed to last Monday. This is just under what I sold my previous car for. The Landcruiser is a 4.0L six cylinder manual petrol engine, I really wanted to avoid a petrol engine but you can’t be fussy in PNG. Good thing is that all fuel here is from PNG oil and refined here too. It has not been registered for three years and has quite a few little jobs to be done. It also has just over 330,000kms on the engine. But all these things are fixable and parts are available from QLD. Plus we have two MAF mechanics at our base and facilities to carry out any work as long as I can get the parts. So I am looking forward to getting it up and cruising soon, hopefully will have it on the road by the end of the week. I will try and get some photos during the week too. So the Landcruiser is my third vehicle and I praise God for his timing and provision of this vehicle.

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You can support Matt in two very important ways, firstly prayer

Prayer points (update 08/02/11):

• Praise the Lord for provision & a great two weeks off
• Strength to study
• Spiritual Growth
• Safety and protection
• Mature as an Engineer

And secondly you can support Matt financially.

Financially

Matt needs to raise a minimum of $15,500 each year for his work over in Papua New Guinea, a 100% support  being $50,000 annually. If you would like to contribute to Matt’s work with MAF, please contact Matt directly and he can provide you with the information on how to do so through MAF. Alternatively click here to make a donation.

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Matt was born and raised in the western suburbs of Sydney. In his final year of high school at the age of 17, Matt started attending a Christian Youth Group and over a period of six months discovered his desperate need for God and surrendered his life to Christ.

Ever since High School Matt had the dream of serving in the Air Force as an aircraft technician. He was offered enlistment with the Air Force after successfully completing the recruitment process, but decided not to join as God was clearly leading him in another direction. After taking this step of faith, God showed his faithfulness by providing an apprenticeship with Qantas where Matt would work as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer for almost five years.

Matt has been heavily involved in serving the Lord within his local church and youth group for several years in different ministries. He has a passion for service and being a part of the preaching of the gospel wherever he is placed.

For many years now, Matt has had the dream and desire to serve God in mission aviation and recently, God has been opening doors to make this possible. After a short term mission trip to PNG with MAF in 2005, God continued to confirm Matt’s call to this ministry.

Recently Matt has attended Bible College in preparation for what God has in store for him with MAF and his future ministries. This has allowed him to study God’s word and serve more actively in different ministries within his local church.

Matt is settling well into life in PNG and it is a real privilege for him to serve the Lord with MAF in PNG.

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MAF operates in over 30 countries to provide an aviation service as a lifeline for those in the greatest need.

MAF operating in Papua New Guinea serves and supports church workers, other mission organizations and the remote communities.

MAF’s Purpose:

• Sharing God’s love through aviation and technology

MAF’s Vision:

• Isolated people will be physically and spiritually transformed in Christ’s name

MAF’s Core Values:

• Impact – We value ministry that transforms lives and multiplies the effectiveness of those we serve, seizing opportunities to serve the living God in a fast-changing world.

• Witness – We value Christ-like behaviour in the way we work and relate to one another and to those we serve. We have respect and care for all people and have compassion for those in need. We are sensitive to cultural differences and have a servant attitude.

• Excellence – We value integrity, professionalism, safety and competence in all areas and believe that all our work should honour and glorify Christ.

• Partnership – We value the strength and diversity that co-operation and collaboration bring and partner with those who share our beliefs and values.

• Stewardship – We value the wise use of our resources and carefully balance the benefits of investments with the costs involved.

• Care – We value the personal and spiritual wellbeing of our people. We respect, care and pray for one another.

For more information about MAF, please check out our website www.maf.org.au

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Finally have some photos up and running. Has taken a few weeks just to get this gallery up and going. Please be patient with it as it’s trial and error at the moment. There are plenty more photos to come, enjoy!

POC

A collection of photos from SIL's Pacific Orientation Course in Madang, PNG which I attended May and June this year.

108 Photos

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Today on the 16^th of September Papua New Guinea celebrates 33 years of independence. This is seen as one of the most important days of the year, besides Easter, Christmas and Remembrance Day. Celebrations have taken place all over the country, but I did not see any today. PNG gained independence from Australia in 1975 and since 1884 has been ruled by another two external powers as well. Today was a public holiday, but with the amount of work we have some of the Engineers and me worked today. So 33 years on, PNG is a developing nation. This is quite amazing considering it being one of the most diverse countries in the world, with over 850 indigenous languages and at least that number of traditional societies for a population of six million people spread across one of the most rugged geographies in the world. With the majority of the population still living in traditional societies and  by subsistence based agriculture. But what amazes me is how the first white explorers did not discover the western highlands (central part of PNG) of the country until 1933 and other tribes not discovered until the 1970’s. The country has a lot of ups and downs in the past 33 years, with a lot of issues to face in the coming years. But there is hope in God and his hand is at work in PNG.

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