An early morning start for 2 parties in the group. The seven travelling to Dogouro had to leave early for their journey by plane, boat and overland vehicle. The 7 leaving for Mt Hagen left shortly and after a plane journey would in the highlands.

The nine pilgrims left were all going to the New Guinea Island of West New Britain, and had the morning to sit and talk, re pack the cases and enjoy the warm weather.

Bishop Denny joined us for an hour and talked about the Anglican church in Papua New Guinea and his life and education in a rural community. He grew up in an Anglican family of 13 children, and was the seventh child. He received a full education and trained as a teacher, then worked as a banker before being called to ministry 21 years ago.

The minibus arrived for us just after midday and after some mechanical change to the vehicle, we set off to the airport, where we caught the twin propeller plane across the island to Hoskins airport.

At Hoskins we were welcomed in wonderful style by the warriors and dancers and Bishop Alan. Greeted and 10 minutes of procession with garlands to our bus and open topped truck.

A delight for me to travel in the back of the truck and see this beautiful island as the evening approached. Walkers on the road waved and called Oro, Oro( Welcome, welcome).

We arrived at Banuale at the Franciscan Friary, a real retreat in the rain forest

, and a place of peace. We met with Father Eduardo( who was also an excellent cook) and brothers.

That night I slept under the mosquito net and to the sound of the frogs  just outside.

We began the day Celebrating Mass in the Franciscan Friary at 6.30am in chapel. At the start of the day the rain forest sounds were gentle and entrancing.

In the 2 trucks we travelled to Bialla, some 3 hours of Tarmac road and mainly dirt tracks with very large holes. Every so often passengers sitting sideways in the back slid uncontrollably towards the front and this was followed by a very large series of bumps. A thrilling journey for the scenery, the mode of travel
and the company. There were innumerable bridges, some of which were photographed, and river bed crossings, where the bridges had been carried away in the last rainy season.

Half way through the journey, we stopped at a roadside
market. We bought some green coconut juice, which was very
refreshing and chopped open for us by the girl with a very large
machete!

There was also a large use of Beetle nuts, which
stains people’s mouths and teeth, plus the spitting out of the
remains!

And then, somewhere in the midst of the rain forest we came
to Bialla. The entrance to the village was bedecked with flowers
and plants.

Our welcome into the village was with the warriors, incredible,
beautiful and wonderfully rhythmic. The men and the Spirit Man led us ,in with the women and girls walking alongside. A very powerful entrance, based on welcome, acknowledgement and acceptance.

10 minutes later we arrived at our seats and were formally welcomed. In the middle of the rain forest, the remoteness of Bialla was obvious. This was a village that lived with its own resources,
food, water, toilets, and then there was the presence of The Company, the oil palm factory and plantation. There was a real benefit of being employed by the company.

There was entertainment including our own and we all talked
about our work, our homes and ourselves.

The journey home was just as bumpy and long. We stopped at
the bank in Kimbe and whilst we waited a woman carrying her
shopping came and talked with us, she was a missionary.
Back at the Friary, we ate an early meal and then In the
moonlight in the rainforest, the warriors arrived and danced for
us.One of the dances was as a snake wandering through the
forest.

Our entertainment was not quite so colourful but gave them
much chance for laughter; Mud, mud, glorious Mud with an amazing second chorus by
Bishop Jonathan, Bishop Andrew and Ryan sang, Tutira Mai, the four girls sang Any Dream Will Do, and Eleanor and Brian sang Early One Morning, followed by Sue leading on Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes. The Warriors and young dancers joined in with
all the actions, lots of laughter!

We turned in for sleep at 9.00pm, a really late night for us!
Rev’d Sue Martin

We started the day after breakfast on a drive in the
trucks to Mosa. Forty minutes only in the truck with
the cool air shreaking through the system.
The start of the journey was through the oil palms
and was on Tarmac. But we soon turned off onto a dirt track, through the plantation and carried on through the dusty road to Mosa. The village was beautiful, an open green space with flowers and plants lining our way. We were met by the warriors and led in procession a welcome into the village. A wonderful sight and experience, the sounds, the smells, the bright sunshine, the clear and strong colours.

This was our first service on the island and simply 
wonderful.
The procession in with the bishops, awe inspiring
led in by the girls gently moving in Immaculate
rhythm to the drums and singing of the men and
women.
This procession was repeated for the entrance of
the gospel and also the offerings.
Communion was received and blessings were given
to many many children and people, those in the
church and the children sitting in the door
entrances and on the grass outside.
The service lasted for 2 hours and followed by food
like a banquet with speeches and. entertainment.
We left Mosa at about 1.00pm and in the burning heat made our way through the tiny and pitted track to Saraclock, a really small settlement. But the welcome was huge and we followed the children and musicians into a small areas with an awning and side covers, for the speeches and entertainment.
The children were intrigued and for many of the women I talked with, I was the first white woman they had seen. Lots of people to shake hands avidly and exchange names.
More good food and although the bread became toasted in the sun it was very welcome.
We were about to leave when we asked to visit the school. This was an eye opener on to their real life. Two small rooms with wooden benches for chairs and tables, a board and 2 teachers, a husband and wife team, who managed with no resources, no paper,
no pencils, no books, nothing a part for themselves and a programme of work.

We visited the Diocesan oil palm project, a 10 acre plantation, which is now starting to be harvested. Bishop Alan has stared this project and it is aimed at enabling the diocese to create its own income. A great project idea and lots of potential.
A hot journey back to the Friary for a swim in the South Pacific!

Rev’d Sue Martin