What a joy to be home at last in Ama!

Traveling up the logging road from the river in our yellow mission truck, happiness shone in our faces as we saw our mission house for the first time. We had seen pictures and video updates from afar, but it could not compare to that moment when the Ama again joyfully greeted us and showed they were “amamas tru” (very happy, in Tok Pisin). The people were beaming with gladness to have us back with them. The family of Daniel, the man who first donated the ground, warmly greeted us. They want us in Ama.

Within minutes, my familiarity with Tok Pisin opened the way for a conversation with a local Ama man, who was ready to teach me some of the local language of Sawiyano. As I wanted to know what it would be like to climb up the Ama mountain that we can see from our mission house, I asked in Tok Pisin how to say “wokabout” in Sawiyano (like the Australian “walkabout,” meaning, to “go for a walk”).

“Mano,” he replied as we both had fun with the exchange.

Joella and I long to better understand the Ama’s language and culture. God is knitting our hearts to people we have prayed for, longed to be with, and finally get to see face-to-face. The Ama are our new family.

With the Ama around us in a circle, our front porch felt like home. For Joella and me, it has been a long wait. But it is so worth it. Thank you for your prayers and gifts that helped make this moment—and many more to come—a reality!

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