In Papua New Guinea

After preaching in village church one Sunday morning Doug was talking to a couple and they invited him to stay for lunch. In their “kitchen” as the cooking fire continued to burn they sat on small box like stools beneath a cloud of smoke which slowly percolated through the thatched roof and out the doorway. A generous serving of food all from their own garden was heaped on the plates. The children and others visiting sat under the cover of an adjacent shade house listening to the conversation through the open door. Any of the food left in the cooking pot would later go out to them but the guest was being served first and was able to eat as much as he wanted. The first helping was more than adequate. The hosts owned no fatten calf, but would have prepared one if they had one.

Food shared is often a measure of friendship and love by the giver. Recently, Antonia , the wife of employee prepared a feast of sweet potatoes, taro, various cooking bananas, squash, and pumpkin shoots which were all cooked together in coconut milk. The meat was smoked fish of various varieties. There was food more than enough for three meals of the missionary.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful." John 14:27.