From the Highlands of PNG
The Mothers Union have started visiting the Disabled Centre in Lae. When this photo was taken the mothers had only brought their children out of their homes a couple of times because they felt so ostracised. Photo Leonie Silk
Leading the Sing Sing at Mt Hagen. Photo Leonie Silk
Adventures in the Diocese of Aipo Rongo
This is an update to an article in the Tasmanian Anglican last year telling of Leonie Silk’s adventure to Mt Hagen to work for the Anglican Church for 12 months.
The Diocese of Aipo Rongo is immense, being the largest in PNG supporting 33 parishes with many of them inaccessible by road or plane. Infrastructure and communications are the two major challenges we face, not mentioning the infamous 'raskalls'.
Although the country is gradually changing, many people still live in small villages making a living from subsistence agriculture. Health issues including HIV/AIDS and illiteracy are a major concern.
The Church has a three-fold mission: ministry, education and health.
During Lent I am reflective of my presence in this frontier town where the tribal villages meet western culture, sometimes for the first time.
With Easter approaching I am also buoyed when I realise that I am now into the eighth month of my assignment and I’ll be seeing my family again before too long. The challenges are immense and Bishop John was correct when he spoke of the inevitable mistakes I’d make and the understanding that would come knowing that God is leading me. I gain comfort from Romans 5:1-5 and the song ‘Here I am, Lord’ – yes we sing that here too.
The next three months will be busy finding my replacement as well as a property manager. We’ll be enthroning the new Bishop, hosting Synod, providing good governance training, and facilitating a ten-week sewing course for women that will build on their literacy skills and increase their awareness in issues such as maternal health, educating their children, how to speak out against violence, HIV/AIDS and other health concerns such as malaria and STDs.
In the meantime I’ll be submitting more funding proposals and try to keep the sewage from creeping back into the houses we own! Children, cholera and raw sewage isn’t the best environment.
So much has happened, yet so little.
Rather than give a long written account of my life here I’ve included some photographs that will hopefully tell some of my story. Perhaps when I come back to Tasmania you will invite me along to your parish to share my experiences and tell of the great need faced by these wonderful people of PNG.
Note: Amanda Harper who is a friend, musician and work colleague in Tasmania has donated 12 guitars for our youth ministry in the Koinambe and Simbai deaneries but freighting them to PNG is out of our financial capability. Rotary International are arranging freight for us and are renowned for their support throughout PNG.
From Leonie Silk, St George's Parish Sorell and St Michael's and All Angels Parish, Mt Hagen