Faces of Tobo

Counter Cultural Crutches

Only 7 weeks left (44 days!) left here in the States before we begin our journey back to our ministry among the Tobo people. Recently we have seen God answering prayers and encouraging us with some exciting things that we will be going back to. Our co-worker, Chad Mankins and his family have been faithfully continuing the work there in Tobo and have just recently finished teaching the book of Romans. Here is what he says:

“Our considerable time spent in chapters 12 and 13 alone has been very profitable for the believers here. We have seen a few instances where they have gone above and beyond the cultural norms of helping each other out in the context of family and clan relationships, and also helping those who will then owe them. This “payback” system, (good for good and bad for bad) is prevalent in our area as well as much of the country of PNG. So it was encouraging when Welsen and I went up to visit a lady in the village named Bula.

Bula is lame and her legs and feet are much too weak for her to get around without aid. This confines her to her house and porch, and she has to sit and shuffle back and forth on a rough plank bench leading to her outhouse. In spite of her circumstances, this very kind lady has an excellent sense of humor and an infectious laugh. When Welsen and I got to talking about her plight, we decided that maybe there was some way to help her. So I scrounged up some leftover plywood pieces from the various “honey-do” projects we missionaries do out here in our bush homes. Some nails were thrown in and her grown sons were all to glad to take it from there and build her a narrow plywood covering the once splintery and uneven plank bench pathway. They even had enough for a nice sitting platform just on her porch to allow her extra comfort when she scoots out from the smoke-filled house to sit and take in the fresh air from time to time.

But as we were discussing what to do, Welsen did not stop there. He suggested that we try to make some wooden crutches for Bula! I donated a couple of old tin cans for the feet, and he selected the wood and carved them himself. So on the Sunday after our church meeting when we first carried up the plywood, we also brought the hand-hewn crutches along with us. Welsen, Ambux, and Musanggi (Asa Selep, or “Grandpa Finger”) and I all pitched in to help, drawing more than a few curious stares from the villagers we passed. When we arrived with the wood, Bula could not contain her tears as she expressed her gratitude. I paused to see what my brothers would say in response and was rewarded with a display of gracious humility as they deflected her praise from ourselves and all to God.

And I too stood there and gave grateful praise to God for, you see, though generosity is very prevalent in Tobo culture, the type of help that we gave was not something that most Tobo people would ever dream about. The typical response would be, “Ah, it’s her sons’ responsibility. Let them take care of her,” or “She’s not in our clan,” (implying also the following: “There is nothing we will get in return, no prestige or big status will come to us from this. She is not a big man in the community either, so is it worth it?”). But of course you readers and I all know that the Spirit of God uses the Word of God in His children to cause them to do good works that transcend and exceed all expectations from the clan and the culture at large. It is one thing to discuss on a Sunday the fact that the Spirit will lead us to help people even if they are not closely related to us or prestigious community members, or to get a big name publically or curry extra favor with God and man. Yes, it is one thing to say these things, and entirely another thing altogether to put these words into action. And this was not a missionary-driven project, rather an expression of Christ’s love by members of His body here. What a great testimony! And what a great example of some young believers living out what they’ve been learning from Romans."

As we get even closer to our departure, I thought it’d be fun to do a little family interview, since we get asked these things so often! It also helps to hear how the kids sum up their time in the States, although sometimes I think they know just what to say and they make my answers seem so materialistic J. Are you excited to go back to PNG? Judah- “Yes! I want to see Elijah (our co-worker’s son) and the Tobo people.” Eden- “Yes, because I like the Tobo people” Nisae- “Yes! I can’t wait to be in my own house again and be in one place for more than a week!” Kadynn- “Yes, because I miss my friends & I have a lot of games I can play there and not in America.” Jason- “Yes! I’m already there in my mind.” What do you like most about living in PNG? Judah- “To teach people about God” Eden- “My friends” Nisae- “Raising my kids there and being a part of what God is doing in the lives of the Tobo people” Kadynn- “That we can teach the Tobo people about God” Jason- “The rewarding relationships that we have with the Tobo people. “ What has been your favorite thing about living in America? Judah- “To get a car and a house like we asked for.” Eden- “My Grandmas and cousins” Nisae- “Shopping, seeing family, not cooking, and my dishwasher and dryer!” Kadynn- “Going to Disney World” Jason-. “Starbucks, TV, Internet – oh, and family!” What will you miss the most when we leave America? Judah-“I’ll miss our pool and Dawson (his cousin).” Eden-“Restaurants” Nisae- “Shopping & Pizza” Kadynn- “My Grandmas & Grandpas” Jason- “Family, our home church, the college football season, Sonic restaurants and Wal-mart in my backyard!” And while we prepare physically to get back in the tribe, communicating our many needs with you, we’d ask that among your prayers for God’s provision for us that you also remember to pray for continued growth in the Tobo church as they embark on Ephesians and for prepared hearts in the remaining villages that have yet to hear the Truth. Humbled to be His Hands & Feet, Jason & Nisae Williamson Kadynn, Judah & Eden