(.

43']
Field Address;
Box 997

Madang,

Tlie 'Wilcox ^amily^

Papua New Guinea

serving ttip ^ofd

Forwarding Agent's
Address:
Letha Weaver
406 Thornton Cr Rd

'^ible '^anslatofs /f",

Toledo, OR
Phone:

97391

603-875-4022

//

April, 1990

^apua oAfew^ Quinea

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the most Precious

Name of Jesus.

"Oh, Rosalind!
You're so
fat!"
That's the greeting given
to me everytime I see someone

again for the first time.

Now
friends

know

this

is

to
a

my Kianele
compliment.

They are telling me how good and

healthy I look, so I try to smile
even though I feel like giving
the speaker a good swift kick!
After

all,

the

American

in me

says, I've only gained 12 lbs

since they last saw me. Isn't it
funny how a compliment in one
culture

can

be

an

insult

in

another!

I emotionally like it better

the way my American missionary
friends say it..."Oh I'm so glad
you've gained some weight! It
looks good on you." Now that I
can feel happy about after it's
said to me. I just have to learn
to stop taking things literally
that my Kianele friends say and
except
the
meaning they are
intending to portray.
Still,
that's one compliment I could
live without.

Even after Dan and

some

of

the men spent a day and a half on

it,

the

dirty.

Checking -in ou/i bag.6 at the San fnanctMco

KOipoAt,

house

was

amazingly

was expecting it, but

that doesn't make cleaning it

any easier!

the only fitted

snugly
fit
my

children's mattresses.

be.

Part

of

the

they

started

a brawl, which our

dog joined in on.

all

He didn't like

that fighting and took a nip

at

the

"worst

offender."

Everyone
thought
that
was very
amusing, including the one who
was nipped.
Then as Noah was
telling them that it was going to
rain, guess what happened? What
a prophet!
We
took shelter as
they finished off the skit.

up

And I don't know why

the rats ate

sheets
that

should

celebration included skits. They

did a funny skit on Noah's ark
made funnier by the reaction of
our dog.
While showing how the
people of Noah's time behaved,

I feel if

When
we got to the village
we
learned
that
the aidepost,
where
the people get
most
of
their
medical help, had
been

I have to wash another thing that

has rat, lizard and
cockroach
dropping in/on it, I will scream.
However, I know that there
will

dramatically

come
an end to all this sometime
and life will settle down into as

expensive for us to help. Also

many things are simply beyond our

much

of

routine

as

can

be

expected here.

closed.

This leaves them without

adequate medical

skills.

church

growing well.

here

has

been

They planned their

own Easter celebration

and

just

fitted
us
in
where
it
was
convient to themwhich is as
it

making

While

opportunity
restricts

The

services.

The

cost of medications has increased

of

it

this

quiet

is

an

ministry,

it

our time and resources

avaliable for other areas of

work.

We

ask

that

our

join us in

prayer in this matter.

Rosalind

I wish I could

gained only
last saw me I
am

say

that

12 lbs since they

They really say I

fat,

sometimes

with

in.

reference to pigs thrown

Some of you may remember our

mentioning problems with a cocoa
orchard

at

one

end

of

the

airstrip.
Well, while we were
gone someone seeking re-election
came by with a campaign promise

relax my tummy and, patting it,

make it wiggle "like a bowl full
of jelly" and they laugh. It is
fun. Now for you who might be

around

concerned

brushedthen someone set fire to

about

my weight, I am

to buy the
could

trees

be

so

the

lengthened.
the

strip

The area

trees

at

the

the dry brush.

and, according to
here,
about
10

the
lbs

most of
the trees perished, and
those that did not
may as well

lighter.
I have my doubts about
the accuracy of the latter.

of problem trees to be dealt with

already an inch
waist,
scales

After
assessment

thinner

getting

an

of

situation in

the

initial

have.

In

was

process

There were only a handful

upon
our
return.
them to the owner.

my

the

I
He

mentioned
borrowed

chainsaw and in a few minutes

the
house (I arrived
in
the
village on March 28Rosalind and

90% of the trouble was over.

He
still
has
a few to trim to head

the kids came on March 30) I

hired some men to help scrub the

of the strip.

black mold off our cream

walls.

wiping
out
anything
planted
locally.
We keep hoping that
they will go to dinnerin a
different mannerSOON!

Then I started an accounting

what

use

colored

also hired some women

to clean-up the pineapple patch,

though it appears to have been
wastedthe neighbor's pigs are

of

height if we are to get full

was and was not stolen.

Before returning to the village

we had heard various stories,
some of which indicated that

our

In one way I want to pay the

owner for his lost trees.
Yet,
as I have
time, I can

raise

been
here for some
see that it would

a number of problems.

we want the people

to

think

And
of

the airstrip as "theirs", not

"the mission airstrip". In that
way, when possible, they feel
free to use it. And they have an

interest

in

seeing it stay open

and safe. Sometimes it is better

if we grit our teeth and force

ourselves

not

to

spend

money

house and possessions were pretty

well trashed ox^.
Well,
the

that, initially,
hassel or perhaps

truth

was

that.

To be

sure,

some

better.
Perhaps the robbing the
people of their responsibility

were

taken,

but

nothing

far

more gentle than

things
that

cannot be either lived without or

replaced.

We

probably

much loss and theft

in

have as

occur

would save us
make us feel

and/or
participation
in some
things is more serious than the
danger of "exploiting" them.

while

the village over two years as

This

evening

Longa came to

in the two years we were absent.

I feel that that is pretty good!

visit me.

He said

something

The trick is to focus on what

is

present, not on what is absent.

My next big job has been the

restoration of the airstrip.

strip

itself

is

his sermon
lack
of

something Jesus said referring to

the destruction of Jerusalem in
70 AD, so we had a talk about it.

The

in good shape.

The ditches need dug out, some

holes in the flyover areas need

dirt in them, etc. Nothing major

there.
But they jungle has just
kept growing!
guys cutting

On one side the

the strip were not

careful enough to keep the jungle

back and it narrowed a 25 foot
flyover to less than 15 feet

wide.

The

ends have both grown

up to where we have to spend some

time cutting
a fair few trees

before we can use the full strip.

The windsock and safty circles
were both grown

just

with

were trees 15

where two
bare dirt.

over.

And

grass, either.
or

20

foot

not

There
tall

years ago there was

(Now you know why I

am losing weight!) Then, once we

replace virtually all 45 of our

marking

cones

we

in

today that showed a

information
about

will be legal

again.

Thz plane. tfUp iA)a.6 L-O-N-G!

As the conversation developed

he
related a two year old request.
He asked
that
we
get
more

missionary help here so more time

could be spent in teaching the
Kianele about God's Word, and how

to apply it to their lives.

I had to tell him that it is

not

probable

another

that

missionary

we could get
team

here.

Given
the
lifestyle
of the
Kianele people, it is unlikely
that a team working only in the
areas he mentioned is

warranted.

We would be open to people coming

to work either
teaching
our
kidsthis would free us to spend
more time with the peopleor
in
literacy work.
Either of these
areas requires the
ability to
teach,
especially
informally,

church leaders so they can

others.

teach

Ge-ttcng back on the. pZane. tn ?ont ^oH.e^by

ioH. the 6ko^ Viip to l^adang,

VeM, tko^c caJUiy-om, a/ic heavy!

Yet, interest like that,

even with all the things we wish

didn't happen, makes it all worth
"keeping on keeping on".
Many
have
wondered
why
anyone
would
want
to
be a
missionary. Discussions like the
one with Longa make me wonder why
anyone
doesn't
want
to
be.
Somehow all those furlough miles,
all the new situations we

And

the

mold

Prayer Points

faced,

asking for support (which I hate

to do), etc. seemed so far in the
past
that
even writing this
letter is like writing to another
world.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

on

1.

2.

the

walls, unreal schedules (if there

is
a
schedule at all), the
rat-chewed sheets, and the things
that are occasionally stolen seem

and safe condition.

3.

so insignificant that they really

do not deserve being mentioned.
When
comes up
about

a 45(?) year old man

asking to know
more

Jesus,

important.

And knowing

that

Bible

into

feel

For

6.

situation.
We are poorly
prepared to handle this work.
For the continued growth of

lost far more by not coming.

The
blessings
of
today cannot
be
measured
in
possessions
or
convieniences.
Their
reality
transcends such temporal things,
reaching into the realm of the
eternal.

the local medical

the church.

7.

For Kapakinda and Aluwang, a

couple trying to get the
Sivisivi church going.
They
want to have a baby, but
because of medical problems

8.

For Manjugambang, who is doing much of the work

locally.
He has Sunday
School going again.
For financial support. It
appears that the cost of
living is about to rise
dramatically here. In

his

that we would have

translation work.
For our health in the stress

5.

languagewell, many of you think

we have given up a lot to come
hereI

For the completion of our

grammar analysis. This will
allow us to begin serious

ful period of readjustment to

village life.

he

really cannot know or understand,

at least in any depth, until
you
get on
with
the translation of
the

4.

a man whose father

killed and ate people, how

can
you say anything else is more

For dry weather, so we can

get our airstrip back in
legal and safe condition.
For community help in getting
the airstrip back in legal

have been unable to.

9.

addition, some of our

Grace and Peace to you

Jesus

Christ,

and Savior.

our

from

eternal Lord

Pray for us.

ministry expenses will also

be higher due to other
factors.

In Him,

10. For the kids' schooling, and

for us as we try to teach
them.

Home school has its

advantages, but it has its

stresses, too.
Dan

Praise Points
1.

Our safe return to the

village.
2.
3.

It took a long

time, but it was worth it.

The relatively good condition
of things upon our return.
Our much improved support
situation.

We are as well

supported as we have ever

been.

4.

The enthusiasm of the people

for our return.

We know

there are many motives other

than just wanting God's Word,
but it is nice to be wanted.

5.

For you. Your support, both

in terms of prayer and
finances makes it possible

for this work to take place.

6.

For being able to land at the

village instead of taking a

long boat-ride to get here.

7.

For the number of our special

friends still alive.

There

were a number of deaths, but

most of our special friends

are still with us.

^4
f

First Christian Church

809 SE Second St

Newport, OR 97365

Non-profit Organization
U. S. Postage Paid
Newport, OR 97365
Permit Number 5

Mission Services Ass

PO Box 2427

Knoxville TN 37901

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

FoPMardlng Agent:
Letha

Weaver

406 Thornton Cr Rd

cNcwg Jrbm

Toledo, OR 97391

Tlip 'Wilcox ^amily\l'^^p.

Field Address:
Box

997

Madang
Papua New Guinea

Sefving ttie ^ofd

as

Sept. 16, 1990

^ible 'translator's /,
in

^apua

Quinea

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus.

There was a lull in the conversation over our two-way radio, so I asked,

"If you know the length of one side of a triangle and all it's angles, how do
you figure out the lengths of the other sides?"
Complete silence was my
answer.

Then someone asked, "Why do you want to know?"

"Well, there's this tree in the airstrip approach area That Dan needs to
cut down, but he can't get the right one. So he asked me if Beth's math book
covered that in Geometry.

It didn't."

"Well... that takes your question out of the trivial and makes it more
important!" came the reply.
And suddenly pencils started scratching on
papers all over the Madang and East Sepik provinces where P.B.T. is working.
People were
racking their brains trying to remember their trigonometry
functions that they hadn't had since high school.

We
got
several
very
Herehenroeder's the best.
added, "..., or else you can
see where in the jungle the
"formula" Dan used. Yup...

1i ked
Mi ke
complicated
formulas,
but
we
formula
he
After giving us this long involved
airstrip
to
Just build a fire and look from the
Guess which
tree is in relation to the fire."
He got the tree.

After many delays, breakdowns (both mechanical and nervous), messed up

equipment orders, delayed deliveries, hair tearing, and a temper tantrum our

airstrip was
now.

brought

back

up to standard,

passed

inspection, and

is legal

himself, and with a good old traditional

Everyone wanted the
the temper tantrum.

Dan had to do a lot of it by

axe.

That

was

the

source

of

Actually,
airstrip, but nobody was willing to work on it until we got mad!
that is quite cultural.
The KiaKele leaders often need to get angry in order
(However, we did not get angry
to get the people motivated to do things.
human, too.)
Anyhow, we are glad to
Oh well
we re
Just to be cultural.,
have that bit of work out of the way.
The work on the grammar statement is going ahead.
We are correcting
mistakes, clarifying descriptions, etc.
We have even converted the Grammar
Statement to a new (to us) editor, Microsoft Word.
Even with the work

involved

in

the

conversion,

this

things are far easier to work with.

should

save

us

work

in

the

long

run

as

It will make formatting and other chores

much easier.

For a while we had been running into a lot of mechanical difficulties in

trying to get our work done. While working on the cutting of trees for the
airstrip we had the chain on the chainsaw break. Eventually we had to finish
cutting the trees the oldfashioned waywith an ax. I prefer the saw, thank
you.
We ordered the necessary things from within the country, but the
company that was to handle the order continually messed it up, so I have
ordered them from my brother in the States, and they are in Madang waiting
for a flight to the village.
Then our computer broke down.

I tried to get it fixed here in PNG, too.

Once again, no luck. (Now, Just in case you think that the problem was with
the nationals, in both cases we were dealing with ex-patriateswhite skins.)
We eventually had to order the part for the computer from the States, too.
is installed.
The computer is in Madang now, waiting

It has now come in and

for a

plane to get a

computer.)

ride

home.

(This

is

being

written

on

borrowed

Beth has started a Friday Evening Youth Meeting for kids her age (more

or less).

She is virtually the organizer, planner, etc.

When she approached

us about it we told her that she needed to get an adult to supervise it, so

she chose MaKJu-gamban. her Sunday School teacher, to be there. They have
singing and games or dramas (which bring gales of laughter) and end with a
devotion, usually by Beth. So far the evenings have been very popular with
the kids.

We have recently attended a computer workshop, a course designed to help

us learn to use computers in such a way as to make them a wonder instead of a
nightmare. After the workshop I was able to work a bit with Cam Deemer to

get specialized help in getting my Grammar Statement converted to the new

editor we are now using.
It involved making some modifications so that we
can type KiaHin Salan as well as English alphabets. He also helped me learn
to use other specialized programs that help with the glossing of texts.
Now we

have returned to the village and

are getting

back to "normal".

Except that the kids have no school work to do for a while, having completed
their last grade. (Both did quite well!) School materials for their next
grade have not arrived yet. One Joy we received on our return was that our
house

had

been

cleaned

before

we

got

here!

In

the

past

we

had

tried

to

arrange to have that happen before we returned to the village, but it never
worked out.
So we quit trying.
Well, our new house-help surprised us by
doing it without being asked! What a pleasure that was.
Another recent Joy is that we now have a functioning Aid Post Orderly
(APO).
He is the person trained and hired by the government to handle the
local

medical

needs

returned to PNG

we

of

had

the
to

people.

handle

all

For
the

the

local

first

few

needs.

months

Now

we

after

we

have someone

here to help.
The trouble is that they have been unable to get many
medications. So we are trying to help out as much as we can in that area.
Grace and

Peace.

Your in Christ,

Dan

Rosa 1ind

PRAYER REQUESTS

PRAISE ITEMS

1. Our computer part and chainsaw

port-ghavingarr fved.
2. Our pleasant return to the
vi11 age.
3. The help we have been receiving

from our PBT computer department.

4.

and

The construction of a new Church

building being underway.

5. We now have and Aid Post Orderly
to handle the medical

work.

6. The success of Beth's Friday

night youth meetings.
7. The airstrip having passed
inspection.

1.

While we

have an

Aid

Post

Order 1 y , t hereTsashortageof
medicinesunless we buy them.
2.

Our

work

on

the Grammar

Statement.

3.
We have been having weekly
headaches apparently related to our
use of anti-malarial

medications.

These medications are necessary, but

the headaches are quite "a pain."
4.

The construction of the new

Church building.

5. There has been a lot of fighting

within, the language group recently.
Pray that this will end.

W forgot to put it in the last newsletter, but you need to check your
label to see if there is a "K" in the upper right-hand corner. If the "K" is
there it means we will keep you on our newsletter list.

If it is not there

this will be your last newsletter unless you write soon to our forwarding
agent (Letha Weaver, 406 Thornton Creek Road, Toledo, OR 97391), and let her
know that you still wish to receive it.
First Christian Church

Non-Profit Organization
U. S. Postage Paid

809 SE Second St

Newport, OR 97365

Newport, OR 97365
Permit Number 5

Mission Services Assoc.

PO Box 2427

KnoxvilleTN 37901

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

lilllillilllllliiilUlllilDMll

Forwa rd1ng Agent:

Letha Weaver
406 Thornton

oAfeu^ Jrom

Cr

Rd

Toledo, OR 97391

Ttie 'Wilcox

Field Address:
Box

997

Madang

serving tfie ^ofd

Papua New Guinea

November 22, 1990

'^ible Translator's
7

^apua (fNewT Quinea

.^
Dear Friends,

Greetings 1n the precious name of Jesus

Today Is Thanksgiving.
much

to

be

thankful

for.

We have so
One

of

the

In times like this I sometimes wish

that God

would see fit to allow

things that 1s very much on our m1nd Is

gift

that we can be thankful for our hope 1n

Jesus. Eternal life Is a security that

Infinite wisdom, and

those outside of Christ cannot match.

from

of

healing.

getting

Instead,

me the

1n

"bigheaded,"

he

has seen

fit that we show his love. If I read my

Bible correctly, that Is more Important,

This has been very much on our mind

A
very
dear
friend
from
Aviation
Fellowship,
Bob

anyway.

lately.
Missionary
Peaker,

was

September
example

killed

19.

of

He

In

was

crash

such

Chrlstl1keness,

on

good

other

than

not liking broccoli, that everyone loved

him.

The Nationals mourn his passing as

much as we do.

Yet we all know that he

has simply preceded us to our hoped for

destination.

Our
being

hope

held

up

1n

Christ

before

Is

us as

currently

one of

woiaen from our language group Is

of cancer at G+Hii.

the

dying

I do not know

her

village name as they have only given me

her "whlteskln" name.
You can pray for
her by the name Paulina.

It Is not so hard knowing that she

have a hope that makes
death a blessing.
The hard part Is the
suffering. Hopefully we will be getting
some medications on the plane (that
Is

his

perhaps to keep me

dyingwe

takes this letter out) that will relieve

the pain.

Yes, we bake cakes for Birthdays

Beth Is 12 now.

We are also thankful

to be

back

1n

the vfHage.
After we went out to
Madang for 6ob*s funeral, we went on to
the village of Y4-mnalani to work on an
airstrip being built in the mountains.

(Having been there, I guess that I am

now
PBT's
most
experienced
airstrip
workerI

have

projects.)

worked

All

in

on

all,

two

we

different

were

away

from our home for about seven weeks.

It

is nice to be back.

Up go the cross-beams on the new church

at G4lin>

We

are

also

thankful

that

the

KiaKele have started working on a new

church building.
The old one was
terrible.
We are wanting to help the
people do some special things to make
the building more durable, cleaner, etc.
Some of the things will have to wait
until next yearlike a cement floor, if
we can afford it.

Working on Hayward*s Airstrip

at YTmnalam.

While working

at

Yimnalarn

got

real thankful that we got to build our

airstrip in the lowlands.

The Yimnalam

airstrip,
being
in
the
mountains,
requires a bit of earth-moving to get
the appropriate gradients and
legal
dimensions.
The approach
is
nice,
though.
Just off the end of the strip
it

goes

into

steep

drop

for

about

4,000 feet.
I defy any tree to grow
tall enough to block that approach!

Plane day at home with Peter the Pilot

now

We are also thankful

that the kids

have

year

again.
back

their

Due

here

in

to

school
the

the

fact

middle

that
of

started
we

came

the

last

And
coming.

we are
happy
We
get
to

Christmas.

for
Christmas
be
here
this
I
personally

(Although

spring semester, they finished last year

wouldn*t

late.

Christmassy weatherif we were dressed

we

And we were slow in finding what

would

be

happy

with for

But we have them now, and

materials.

we are happy

with what we have.

mind

for it!)

we

little

bit

more

Christmas is the time of year

choose

to

remember

the

coming

of

God's special gift to mankindJesus.

And

we

are

thankful

for

each, of

you.
Your prayers, your love, your
concern, and your support allows us to
be here working to let the Kianele know
Christ in his fullness.
We thank God

for you.
And we thank you, too, for
being open to this ministry and to us.
Yours in Christ

Prayer and Praise

Praise God

1.
On one side of the divider D~III
creates a story.

Fort

A young woman by the name of Carol

who is able to help us in language work

2.

We are back in the village after

being away for a while.

3.

Beth and

D-III's school materials

have arrived and they are back to

school.

We are having fairly good health.

Pray to God For:

1.

Work on the Grammar Paper to get

done.

2.

The woman, Paulina, dying of cancer

3. The plane situation here.

We will
be without a pilot for a few months

while Peter goes on furlough and is

reassigned to Port Moresby upon his
return to PNG.

4. A young man who has spinal TB, but

whose family has kept him from getting

to medical help..
5.

That our crate will be found.

We

received an arrival notice, but they

While on the other Beth studies geometry

cannot find the crate.

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First Christian Church

Non-Profit Organization

809 SE Second St

U. S. Postage Paid
Newport, OR 97365

Newport, OR 97365

Permit Number 5

Mission Sorvices AssOc^,

PO Box 2427

Knoxville TN 37901

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED