by Sarah Grosh as told to Sylvia Grosh

I stepped off the small Cessna airplane right into the Garden of Eden—at least it seemed that way. Lush forests in every shade of green surrounded me. The jungle looked vibrantly alive compared to the city where I’d lived. I had arrived!

I’m a 10-year-old missionary kid (MK). My parents work in the jungles of Papua New Guinea with people who speak Kaluli. Mom and Dad’s main job is to translate the Scriptures into Kaluli, so the people can have God’s Word in their own language.

The Kaluli used to worship spirits and be afraid of them. Now many of them have learned about God and accepted Him as their Savior. They don’t have to live in fear anymore, because God is more powerful than the spirits.

I like going to the village with my parents. It’s fun being an MK. I learn about different kinds of people and different lifestyles. The Kaluli are our friends. They have many different customs and ways of doing things.

Jungle Village

The Kaluli people are very clever. Because they live so far out in the jungle, there are no stores close by. This means that they have to make the things they need out of natural materials.

They make houses with a thatch roof and woven walls. Sometimes they use heavy bark for the floor. Other times the ground is the floor. They know how to make string bags out of strips of bark for carrying babies, garden vegetables and firewood. And they know how to make “flashlights” (torches) out of wood and sap. In the old days, they even made their clothes from jungle materials. They created beautiful grass skirts. But now it’s easier to get material and sew up a simple skirt.

The Kaluli people even know about disposable dishes. They use banana leaves for plates. Then they roll them up and throw them away. Disposable cooking pots come from pieces of bamboo. They put green leaves and a little water in a bit of bamboo and steam it over the open fire. When it is done to perfection, the “pot” can be used as fuel for the fire.

When we go out to the village, there is no television, no e-mail, no Internet and no electricity. But there is plenty to do.

I especially like visiting the young children and babies. It’s a challenge to make friends with them. I also like to go to the river with my brother and sister. We swim in the crystal clear pool, climb on the boulders, sit in the waterfall and wash our hair in the biggest natural outdoor “bathtub” you’ve ever seen!

I also enjoy walking in the village. We go barefoot, and the dry clay paths feel good under our feet. I have to admit that the leeches are scary, though! The younger kids come out of their homes when we walk in the village. We give them marbles and play together inside longhouses.

God of the Jungle

I try to help out with my parents’ work, too. Even though I’m young, I can still show Jesus’ love to others and find ways to be a part of what God is doing in the Kaluli people.

The last time we went out, I helped with a literacy project. If people can’t read, there is no sense in giving them God’s written Word. I helped make a book with parts of Genesis in Kaluli and brightly colored pictures. It took a long time. We worked carefully so that the finished product would be something nice. No one wants to have a sloppy book. God’s Word should be attractive.

I helped by preparing coffee for my dad and the Kaluli men who were helping him translate. I also fixed cold drinks and snacks for the missionary bush pilots who land at our small grass airstrip sometimes.

I am glad God called my parents to go to Papua New Guinea. The life of an MK is interesting. It’s neat to be a part of reaching others for Christ. And as a side benefit, I get to visit the Garden of Eden!

	Q: What did one lightbulb say to the other one? A: “Watt are you doing?” Charles R., 10, Georgia Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe