Tsak Valley - At Last!

It was overwhelming the outpouring of love and acceptance experienced when I got to embrace my family, tribesmen, culture and nation on August 3, 2013. All around my eyes beheld the fruit of God in His people. The seeds planted by early Lutheran Missionaries had taken hold developed and produced fruit in keeping with repentance (eternal that is passed down from generation to generation). In fact, I am one of those very seeds that was transplanted in America and 40 years later now grafted in as a natural branch. Praise the Lord! Anyway, it was in many ways surreal. As I went around this large crowd of people from the Tsak Valley I met (meaning hugged, shook hands and cried) with about 200 immediate family members. I have more mothers and fathers than I could ever have dreamed possible. Many who have prayed and sought the Lord on my behalf for many years. It was if for once in my life it finally felt like I belonged. I really felt very unworthy to be so loved and accepted as I went around and met so many of my family and people with such quality and content of character that it can only be from God.  

I was able to meet my Aputi (Enga for Grandmother). She is the youngest and last living wife of my grandfather Taso who from all accounts was a great leader to the people in the Tsak Valley and surrounding communities. What an honor it was to meet her.

So many people were the former students of my mother during her early missionary years in this remote part of Papua New Guinea. Really, I believe the crowds of people there more to honor God and the commitment and sacrifices of early missionaries than they were to see me. Which is totally cool! I was just glad to be in my homeland amongst my people. It was too bad that I never got the chance to meet my father in person. Like the stories of my grandfather Taso, my Father Frank was also very well respected in the community and surrounding areas.  My father, Frank Yasima Taso, firstborn son of Taso was laid to rest in September of 2006 when his heart gave out on him during an asthma attack. His grave is right by the Lutheran School which he dedicated so many years of his life to as a teacher and leader of his people. I had always hoped that my visiting his grave for the first time would be a private moment but I guess God had different plans. His grave was right at the end of the huge chain of family members that I had just met. I really didn’t stand a chance of maintaining my composure. So I broke down and wept in front of a large crowd of people and soon they joined me in my weeping. That moment I was truly a broken man! Funny thing is that God seems to really be able to work with that and I could somehow sense a healing taking place not just in me but all around. I don’t know and words can’t really describe it. It just did.

Well, I got meet a lot of family but from what I am told there are still many more so as time goes on I hope to meet them all. After, the crying and a few words from different leaders in the village, community and nation we all ate. I was able to present a few more pigs, chickens and lots of other food to one of our nation’s leaders on behalf of my tribe the Yamberdan Watenge and the leader in turn shared it with all the crowd present at the occasion. It was a truly beautiful and life changing day. I was blessed to sit down with my father’s wife (I call her Mammi Apanz) and we shared large plate of food during the reception afterward. Then we loaded up into the Landcruisers and left my village to return to town because we were flying back to Port Moresby the next day. What a weekend! I’m tired of crying but it seems to be the thing to do around here to I guess that’s okay. To God be the glory for the great things He has done!  Tasol!

Tsak Valley – The Mountains Under Feet

Finally! To walk the ground my forefathers walked. To eat and drink of the goodness of the earth that sustained generation after generation of the Son’s of Pembe in the Tsak Valley. Oh what a joy it is to finally be amongst my family, clan, tribe of the Tsak Valley (Green Valley). It was very humbling to look over the sea of faces of relatives and loved ones of who I had never seen before in my life. Yet it was if for once in my life I finally felt like I belonged. I had felts hints of that same feeling when I stepped off the plane in Port Moresby two weeks prior. That hint of being home began to get stronger as I began to work in Port Moresby and be around my fellow PNGean’s. However, when I got off the plane in Mt. Hagen and breathed in the air while taking in the majesty of the mountains and valley it was like something that had long been sleeping in my innermost being was being stirred. An awakening had begun and over the next few days as I was taught by some of my fellow tribesmen how to break the backbone of an earthen oven- roasted pig to share others and how to eat pig with wild greens (I can’t remember what they were called) and cooked ginger. The fruit of the land near Wapenamanda and Tsak Valley also produced some of the absolute best tasting vegetables and fruit that I have ever tasted. The broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and bananas were like none I have ever tasted. Talk about organic! Forget those hippie communes in California and Washington State (USA) that claim to be organic. They can’t even come close to the vegetables of the PNG Highlands.

Now back to the awakening. It’s can sometimes be difficult to remain objective but nonetheless it is what it is. The few days I spent in Wapenamanda prior to going to the Tsak prepared me to go the next length of the journey. The Lord placed Godly men and women around me on this journey in every step of the way. These ones provided wise counsel, provision, protection and strength because I certainly could not have made this journey alone. There are four Godly couples that have cared for me on this leg of the journey here in Papua New Guinea since my arrival. I thank God for them and their commitment to God, their families, their country, and to me, a new son of PNG. My prayer is that God will honor and bless them for their willingness and sacrifices to help me along the way.

Over those next days I experienced PNG culture like I could never have dreamed. I witnessed every school and church in a District line up to welcome and honor their country’s leaders as they visited the people they serve in Wapenamanda. Many people walked for many miles of some very rugged terrain to honor the men elected to represent their best interests. I then saw leaders make personal sacrifice to share a feast with thousands in attendance. I observed the beauty of young children singing our National Anthem with such intensity that it brought tears to my eyes even though I couldn’t quite understand the Tok Pidgin and Enga. I observed reconciliation between leaders present and leaders past. There were promises of a better tomorrow and delivery on those promises today. Waves and waves of our people some wearing national colors some in traditional dress but all joining in a spirit of hope, unity and pride; for the land underfoot, Papua New Guinea. Those days I began to learn how to take pride in this Nation of PNG of which so many of us share.

The combination of all these things strengthened my resolve to continue this journey of personal discovery; this journey to PNG. I didn’t quite get to my trip to visit to Tsak yet but I have posted enough for this blog entry. – Tasol

Getting Closer - Wapenamanda

On July 30, 2013, I boarded a plane travelling from Port Moresby, PNG to Mt. Hagen. At last I was getting closer to the land of my father and fore-fathers. The coastal city of Port Moresby was hot and humid and one would break into a sweat just walking the distance over the tarmac to the plane. It was just about a 90 minute flight to Mt. Hagen, a busy commercial hub right in the middle of Papua New Guinea in the Western Highlands District. Stepping out of the plane at the Mt. Hagen airport I was greeted to a pleasant surprise of temperature of about 65 degrees with a beautiful crisp breath of fresh mountain air. Ahhh, it was so good to breathe it in. After a quick lunch our party made it's way towards Wapenamanda on the famous Highlands Highway. It was a beautiful drive around and through cloud covered mountains and lush green valleys. It almost appeared as if earth met heaven right in that location. As we made our way towards Wapenamanda (by the way...I found out "manda" means mountain), I begin to sense that I was getting closer to a place that had been for so long just a dream in my mind. I took in all the sights, sounds and overall atmosphere of my surroundings and it still seemed somewhat surreal to be so close to home. Arriving at our destination, the town was found to be in a scurry or frenzy of excitement as it was beginning to prepare for the Prime Minister's visit to this town laying right between Mt. Hagen and Wabag in the Enga Province of Wapenamanda. I took refuge in the thought that the Prime Minister was coming to visit so I could just fly below the radar of the busyness of the event and not even be noticed so I could quietly walk around and take in the countryside and people. The team I was on had very little time to prepare for the upcoming visit so we all "hit the ground running" with lots of things to do and preparations to make. I was grateful for that because it gave me a little more time to process all the events of the past several hours and days. So many changes! Anyway, here is pic from the event. I'm not sure of everyone's names but I do know that the Prime Minister was not able to make it and one of his staff members came on his behalf. The event went well and as an observer I couldn't help but get excited over all the development programs that the Wapenamanda's District Member of Parliament had obtained funding for and was implementing. In addition, to large financial commitments from the PM's office there are some really innovative development programs being piloted in the District ranging from renewable energy through the building of mini-hydro electric schemes, to schools and health centers being built or rehabilitated, transportation infrastructure, emergency disaster relief and all kinds great efforts that will make a positive and measureable impact on the people in the District. It was really cool to be a part of something like that. There was a strong spirit of unity among the leaders present and it was clearly evident to anyone in attendance. Even past differences were set aside and many were able to witness reconciliation and oneness of Spirit & Vision. I guess you had to be there :)

Outside of Comfort Zone

Before I left Port Moresby to go up to Wapenamanda near my home in the Tsak Valley of Enga I ran into some "Early Pioneers"of this country Papua New Guinea. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit down and spend some time with them talking about PNG life and culture. These four gentlemen were "Captains of Industry" here in PNG who as young PNG men had blazed a trail from the bush and coastal lands into high finance, engineering, law and business. Their stories and advice were quite noteworthy and I was lucky enough to be able to glean from their experiences. One thing I took away was the encouragement to share the journey to my homeland of Papua New Guinea with my fellow PNG brothers and sisters. Being a somewhat private person, this represents a big step out of my "comfort zone". However, as pointed out to me by one of our country's early pioneers in engineering, this isn't just about me it's about many people here in my homeland as I journey to connect to my family, culture and land. Not to mention their are so many people in the United States who have invested their time, energy, love and resources into my life so to keep it private would be doing them all a great disservice. So bear with me as I journey on my way!

Meeting my younger brother Alo for the first time.

First Church Service

On July 21, 2103 I attended my first church service in Papua New Guinea. It was here where I was again able to witness the faithfulness of God. First, I have to say that I was very warmly welcomed in love. Many of the people at this particular Lutheran Church in Port Moresby were members of my family and clan. What is really cool is that almost 100% of the church was from the area of where my father & my family are from in the Tsak Valley near Wapenamanda in the Enga Province of PNG. It was a beautiful service where we worshipped in Enga & Tok Pidgin (my native tongues that I am trying to learn now).

Here is what was so cool and "significant" about the event. I happened to arrive just in time to see one of the largest delegations ever sent by a church to the United States. These 22 men and women, many of them my family members, tribesman and fellow Engans, represented the fruit of the labor of the early Lutheran Missionaries (of which my mother was one). These young boys & girls grew up to be Godly men and women who carried an anointing of God into their families, jobs, communities and country. The work of the early missionary teachers in the Tsak valley produced and is still continuing to produce Godly men and women who are leaders in their communities, churches and in the nation of PNG. It is absolutely amazing so as the Word of God states the importance of giving honor where honor is due. I honor those early missionaries such ash Dr.Burce, McMillens, Luetke, Trevor & Linda, my mother Judy Faber, and many more of whom I am so grateful to. Mostly I am grateful to God as He has allowed me to be both a witness and be a part of His harvest. The picture is of me standing with the delegates of the Lutheran Church the day before they departed for their own journey to the United States.

Here is a little plug. We here in Papua New Guinea (particularly in the Tsak Valley) are looking for missionary teachers, healthworkers & pastors. It has been many years since any have lived and worked in the Wapenamanda District and it is a general consensus and prayer that God would answer our prayers and bring some missionaries back to the area to assist in the Lord's work. If you or anyone you know sense the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart to serve His people in the mission field we would certainly welcome any inquiries. Feel free to contact me personally if this is something that God is putting on your heart. 

Made it!

First of all, my apologies to everyone for not posting regularly. It has been just a whirlwind of events since I hit the ground here in PNG. I have also had some issues with dependable internet service on this side of the world. However, I believe these have been resolved. (Praise the Lord!) Most importantly over the past few weeks I have been able to witness firsthand the faithfulness of God over the generations on an individual level, family level, tribal level, and as a nation. The Word of God is proven true here in PNG according to Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Let’s see where do I start? Well, on July 20, 2013 when I arrived at Jackson Airport in Port Moresby, PNG; I received a welcome like I have never had before. Many of my family members were there to greet me. Many being over 100. Wow! Very emotional and overwhelming. It was a time full of joy, celebration, promise and many more things. The pic in this posting is one of my favorites with many of us just sitting together as one Body. 

Homecoming ~ Papua New Guinea

The past 24 hours has been a blur. After about 24 hours of flying and another 10 hours in airports. I was able to put my feet on the ground in Papua New Guinea. It was a very emotional and overwhelming experience. (In a good way…really in a God way)

I was greeted by many immediate and extended family members that I was just meeting for the very first time! (about 150 of them) I do not have the words to really describe it. I was able to embrace my brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and cousins all of whom I have never met and many never spoken to. To see myself looking back at me in all the faces around gave me a sense of belonging quite like I have never experienced in my 41 years of life on this earth.

After a lengthy reception in the hot sun I was able to find rest at my temporary residence a villa on a hill overlooking the ocean about 200 meters away. The cool evening breeze from the ocean brought relief from the hot tropical sun. Though I am exhausted and overwhelmed today I can say that it is truly well with my soul. Thank you Jesus Christ for the work You finished 2,000 years ago on the cross!

The only picture I have is one of me at the airport in Brisbane. I will have to wait and get pictures from other family members because I didn’t take a single one.