About the Missionaries

At the Conference

You have been given a couple of information sheets to familiarize yourself with the people we will be ministering to. One list contains the names of the people who were originally scheduled to attend the conference. Another list gives you the names and a small picture of the family if available.

The mission base is very international with several types of backgrounds and various ages. There will be missionaries from USA, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, and England. Please be sensitive to other cultures and realize everyone is not “American”. Don’t assume everybody is from America and everything is the same as America. As in any group, personal preferences are varied in regard to food, drink, music, games. Most of them realize there are several cultures represented and don’t get easily offended. However, in most of the other countries, “bum” is quite offensive, so don’t call someone a “bum” or refer to your rear end as your “bum.” “Fanny” is quite vulgar so don’t wear “fanny packs” wear “hip packs.” The other vocabulary from Australia or Ireland is just fun and different and may take a second to figure out.

In Bom

In the tribe, the big thing is dress for the woman. You should not to be overly sensitive or worried, but you should be aware of a few things with the PNG woman. Guys are welcome to smile and greet the woman, but should not be overfriendly. If you raise your eyebrows at the opposite sex (in a flirtatious way) it is an invitation to sleep with them, so is maintained eye contact. Most people here think that Americans are loose and would want nothing more than to get a white man or white woman. We just want to be careful not to give the wrong indications, but still be friendly.

• Serving the Patpatar people speaking Pigdin (trade language)
• Aaron & Lori have 2 girls (Avalon & Sierra)
• Butch & Tammy Kunzer (4 girls- Hannah, Ellen, Ainsley, Rebecca)

Practical Reminders

We are in a different environment – Macho doesn’t count (small cuts & scrapes can be serious)
Get plenty of rest, liquids, sunscreen, and insect repellent (watch out for one another)
We are servants and learners

Key Values for the Team

• Servant’s Heart: This trip is not about you or me
• We are serving & representing New Tribes Missions
• Testimony: They have to live with the consequences of our actions
• Remember the Microscope! – They are watching you and will magnify what you do and say!
• We can undo months of work – unity is imperative
• Flexibility: Everyone has to be able to adapt
• Your idea of how things should happen is your idea
• When a decision is made – support it and do your best to make it work