In the higher mountain villages they have never heard of school and don't understand it, but the missionaries are teaching some of them to read their native Pawawano language so they can at least read the bible.
All of the guys from the team went on the trip. It was long, very bumpy journey until the roads run out, and then keep going on a rough track... then a long, smaller track going towards the mountains. At that point we could go no further in our small coach and took trikes (motorbike with side car) up towards the mountains, crossing a river at a beautiful ford. Eventually there was an even smaller footpath through the jungle and the last part of the journey had to be walked (although on our way back we rode a water buffalo and cart!).
The village was made of beautiful, native-style houses, and staying in one was a lovely experience. They are very comfortable and feel safe because they are up off the ground away from the worst of the jungle animals and snakes.
The people were very friendly and let us see their houses and we watched them demonstrate things like beating rice. It was awesome to see what they do and meeting the people. I talked a little about my relationship with God at a meeting and enjoyed seeing everything and walking in the jungle. There wasn't any actual physical work for us to do, but it was lovely just to watch and see how the people live, and learn what these missionaries do. At some point, I would love to visit the remote villages because this one does know a bit about the world outside the jungle. They know there are schools - they are just to far away - and there is a generator for a few houses, so it wasn't the full jungle hut experience... but it was still great.
Click on the pic to see an album of photos I shot during the trip.
