Pastors Kelly Bayer Derrick, Wanda Childs, Michael Church, and Derek Boggs have arrived in the Papua New Guinea Islands. The whole ELCA group, friends from North Carolina, North/West Lower Michigan, Central States, Virginia Synod, gathered in Cairns, Australia and spent some time getting to know each other and building community before continuing the journey to PNG. One of the adventures included enjoying a boat ride out to Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef to see God’s magnificent tropical creations through a glass bottom boat.
After a layover from Port Moresby to Lae, the whole group made it to Lae, which is where the ELCPNG headquarters is located. They were welcomed with beautiful flowers, joyful smiles and a joint Morobe group (not a singular tribal group) sing-sings (traditional welcome ceremonies).
They began the ELCA and ELCPNG partnership consultation by spending time getting to know one another and building up the body of Christ. This time included a round of Q & A, sharing of stories about their names, singing together, working together to build a cup tower, and talking about the joys and struggles of working together as partners. Kelly shared “the close of our day felt like the Day of Pentecost! So many cultures and languages, so much dancing and joy, so much praising God!! It was glorious!” In the evening they had a cultural evening which included more singing and dancing and even a sing-sing that Pastors Derek and Wanda were invited to participate in.
On Sunday they worshiped together at Martin Lutheran Seminary in Lae. Pastor Kelly shared “I give thanks to God for the gift of Christ Jesus, the Bread of Life. I give thanks to God for the gift of Pastor Cassie who preached the Word, inviting us all to be the Bread of Life, the body of Christ for one another. (Pastor Cassie is the first woman pastor ever to preach at MLS!) I especially give thanks to God today for the gift of women pastors and women leaders. Thank you, gracious God, for my women colleagues in the ELCA. Thank you for the women and girls in PNG who engage in ministry every day, sharing the love of Christ with their neighbors.”
They arrived yesterday in New Guinea Islands and were welcomed at the airport with a sing-sing welcome by youth of the Kimbe Circuit. They were escorted to Bethel Lutheran Church in Kimbe Town, West New Britain, PNG. Pastor Wanda stated they were “showered with flowers (literally), another sing-sing with kundus, processions, prayers, words of welcome, flower leis, food and so much love. Again, my heart is full.” Bethel has an elementary school, and the kids greeted us with a song: “Singing Glory, Hallelujah!” Then they received greetings from Pastor Martin (pastor of Bethel), the women’s group, and Pastor Gedisa (the interim president [like a synod bishop] of the NGI District).
