Melanesian Institute Part 1: The Good

The Melanesian Institute was a wonderful experience. There were 13 priests, 4 Religious Sisters, 4 Religious Brothers and two Lay Missionaries. They all represented the world and I was the only American. Goroka was so nice and the weather was cool and refreshing. We had three weeks of training (beginning January 7) and I developed great new friendships.  

The seminar itself was very good. It answered questions about my mission and helped to put my almost first year experiences into perspective. We had many opportunities to share our various experiences and received many great suggestions and ideas on how to help us move forward in our mission. 

We were put into groups and had to come up with a few dances and mini plays for our Saturday night get-togethers. My group had a Priest from China, a Priest from Mawai, a Priest from Kenya, a Sister from Nigeria, a Brother from India and me. We actually won one of the cultural competitions. I was so proud of my group and we had so much fun together. We left with some great memories. 

A few of us had a chance to visit the Don Bosco School in Shindu Province as a side field trip. It took us 3.5 hours to get there, but a beautiful drive through the mountains. That was a special day with a few of my fellow missionaries who were associated with St. Don Bosco. The church was very nicely decorated and the community spirit was warm.  

A few of us took another e- ride adventure as we drove to the top of one of the Goroka mountains (the 4 wheel drive was necessary) where we toured an outhouse commode and shower making factory. We saw how they manufacture and install them under sanitation regulations. The ones they had completed were locked and we could not see inside, but was told there was a small sink to wash your hands. ???? Would have liked to see proof of that.

The grounds were beautifully landscaped and lush with flowers, trees, fruit, a waterfall and other beautiful vegetation. There were animals there as well and the view was awesome. The clouds parted and the mountains and valleys opened up. But again the road was a dirt road filled with potholes where a four wheel drive was necessary, especially after the continuous rains during the rainy season in PNG. This e-ride adventure took about two hours. The countryside, the village huts along the way were always nice to see.  

The meals were really good and very tasty and nourishing. But what was truly interesting, no dessert besides fresh fruit. Nothing. At an American seminar, there would be all kinds of goodies - cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy of all varieties, etc.  Here - no sweets except ice cream and cake for feast days and special occasions (a birthday or two). 

Our last day in Goroka, we had an international food fest where we made a dish representing our culture. Fr Jacek, a Polish Priest from my own diocese of Kimbe helped  me make stuffed cabbage representing my Polish background and his country of Poland. I can’t believe I made this dish, but the cabbage was just so beautiful in the market place and I was so hungry for it, too.  If Fr Jacek wasn’t here, I probably would have kept with something really simple, like guacamole- the avocados were nice too. There was a variety of food to sample from different countries. It was especially fun going from kitchen to kitchen with others making dishes representing their countries and sampling the food they were making. Everyone was joyful and proud of their cultures and were eager to share what they had. Everyone who tried our stuffed cabbage, some eating it for the first time, enjoyed it and it was yummy.  

I just wish I could have taken the weather of Goroka and transport it to Kimbe. I bought lettuce to take back with me to Kimbe, something you cannot always get in Kimbe. 

This is the end of part one (the good...) of my Melanesian Institute experience. Thank you again for your support and prayers. God bless you all and I welcome your comments.