Trail Tales
Our team landed in then neighboring people group, Dinangat, to pick up our Dinangat brothers.
We sat down with Dinangat leaders, Pol (green shirt) Ronni (red shirt) and Felix (orange/tan), to talk through the survey. Ralf, one of the Dinangat missionaries went with us, as well. They came to represent the Dinangat church and be our eyes into the culture. They understand more than we ever could.
From Dinangat to Uruwa is a 6 minute flight. Just by flying we saved ourselves 3 days of rugged hiking (possibly even longer for us weaker ex-pats). We are so thankful for our pilots!
When we arrived in the main village, we were taken to their meeting area where 150+ people had gathered to hear what we had to say.
On our way to the farthest village, we walked by gardens on the mountainside. They build these walls to keep the ground from falling.
We shared the same message in every village we went. Here, Ralf is sharing about his own life and how he became a missionary in Dinangat.
This is the crest of the craziest hill. Hiking was brutal, and I’m so thankful for everyone who was praying for me during these hikes.
Elevation profile for one of the hikes if you’re into that.
This is a bridge constructed from bamboo and wooden logs. This river wouldn’t have been passable without it. It cracked and shook underneath our weight as we crossed.
Can you see the trail?
The Uruwa river divides the people. Recently this suspension bridge was constructed to cross it.
Looking down through the iron mesh to the raging river below.
We were told that every year people die from falling into this river.
The valley is full of water: waterfalls and rivers all flowing into the mighty Uruwa river.
Most trails looked something like this. Mountain on one side, sheer drop on the other. This day the clouds covered the valley in mist.
My co-worker Luke nearly falling off the mountain.
Every night looked similar to this as we talked around the fire. They build their houses with a fire pit in the center. The smoke trails out the grass roofs.
Crazy seeing a green python as snakes are said to not be common in this area.
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) came and picked us up. They sell eye glasses for a small price. This mute man wanted a pair so he could try and read.
Every day I would show a picture of Kelsey and the kids to whoever we were with. They were so excited to meet her and the kids.
Our families went in with us for the first time in November. Sienna is shy in crowds, but she warmed up quickly to one mama.
Giving us all this fruit was one of the Uruwa peoples’ ways of showing that they are in unity with us coming.
Sienna found some girls her age and went and picked flowers with them.
Our kids fell asleep by the fire while we drank Uruwa grown coffee.
This rock sits at the end of the airstrip. Our kids loved it.
