Dedication

PNG is the ‘land of the unexpected,’ a motto well proven one afternoon when we found ourselves late additions to the Bishop’s VIP guest list for the decorative, ceremonial and long dedication ceremony of… a fuel pump. There were tears in the prayer of dedication, long speeches and choral items. As special guests we were ‘flowered’ (that’s what the programme called it) with a necklace of plastic flowers. As the leaders of a Sunday School translation workshop, we found ourselves singing in the vernacular with the choir. We were introduced as the ‘Tiang Translation Team Choir’… nothing like being named on the spot! We were thankful for those who could not come, as it meant less speeches and amused by the fact the longest speech was by the man who started with ‘I have nothing to say’ (that at least seems similar across cultures). Then, after three hours, we were amused by the final item, when the ladies guild and the youth group started line dancing to a praise pop song. I really did not see that one coming!

Decorations, man skirts and an official fuel pump opening

Although the events of the afternoon amused and bemused us, there is more of a story than the surface decorations suggest. The fuel pump was a dream of the late Bishop, a part of his desire that the church circuit become financially independent. I admire their commitment to not relying on outside funding and that they are working with local needs. The tears in the dedication prayer were for the late Bishop, his dreams and that he did not live to see this one realised. He must have been quite a man, as people were genuinely touched by his absence. It is interesting to note that while this church was seeking independence through fuel sales, their equivalent denomination in Australia was pulling all investments out of the oil and gas industry as an expression of their care for creation. Different reasons drive different decisions in different places.

Line dancing mamas and youth

That we were flowered guests even though the Bishop only met us that day is testimony to the generous welcome we receive all over PNG. People appreciate the work we do and so make us most welcome however they can. Singing with the choir was another way we are welcomed and included, for although we had only worked a few days with the Tiang, they claimed us as their own during that event and made sure we were part of things.

As for the line dancing mamas… there is no response but delight to such an unexpected event which everyone was enjoying.