Mary and her family moved into her new
prayed that she would find work and be able
to, over time, create a home environment that home in late 2016, following a traditional
‘open house’ celebration that included the
she could share with her children. Mary’s
Pastor and the Head of the Church, the
children visited her regularly and her two
youngest children, Hannah (aged 8) and Max Chairman of her community, Mary’s
extended family and friends, and I think all
(aged 9) lived with her.
of the children from across the community.
Not really understanding her living
(I know because they all queued politely for
situation fully, we talked to her about
a slice of the cake that I was a cutting!)
helping her to rent a room/s in a house
The most incredible outcome though is
with running water and electricity closer to
that all of Mary’s children, and her grandson,
work. She felt safe in her community and
are now living with her in her new home, as
preferred not to move, despite it being some
walking distance and two bus rides to work. well as her daughter-in-law, Seniorita, and
Mary’s two little grandchildren who have
Soon Mary generously invited us to
moved from Popondetta to Port Moresby.
her community to meet her nephew and
Mary is delighted to be able to honour
his family and her children. It was our
the memory of her eldest son by giving a
first experience entering a PNG national
community, and it was certainly eye opening! permanent home to his family.
Of course, Mary and her family are
What struck us most was not so much the
very grateful for their new home, but we
poverty, although that was plainly obvious,
honestly feel that it is us who are truly
but how welcoming the community and, in
grateful. We feel blessed in immeasurable
particular, Mary’s family and friends were.
It was on seeing Mary and her children’s ways to have been welcomed into Mary’s
life and the lives of her children, her
home for the first time that we made a
extended family and her community.
silent vow to do something to improve her
Our experience here has forced us to
situation. Quite simply, we have always
reflect upon the encouragement, optimism
felt that those who have more than they
and positive expectations and reinforcement
need should share what they have with
that we experienced in our own formative
those who don’t have enough. Although
years; the opportunities that we have been
we have never felt this as strongly and as
afforded throughout our lives both in
profoundly as we do now.
education and professionally; the success
To cut a long story short(ish), for what
that we have been able to achieve with this
would be the cost of a holiday to us, we
strong foundation; and everything that has
were able to buy the materials to build a
brought us. It is hard not to feel incredibly
home for Mary and provision it. Mary’s
humble and blessed, and also to recognize
nephew gifted her a piece of his land,
that this is all an accident of birth.
and he and members of her community
Now, rather than buy gifts for our family
rallied around her, her family and us, and
at special times, we have decided to use the
built her a beautiful home (often working
money that we would normally spend to
from dawn until dusk). It was a delight
continue to improve the lives of others. We
to witness the build week by week, and
hope that having heard a little of Mary’s story,
experience the anticipation and joy on
you may consider doing the same.
Mary’s children’s faces.
ISSUE 2 OF 4 IN 2017
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