PNG
THE MISSION
In 2016, APSE will be conducting a cross cultural mission to Papua New Guinea. The
mission will have three aims:
1.
2.
3.
Come alongside the DOJ Community in Papua New Guinea to conduct
different service outreaches.
Provide an opportunity for the team to put into practice the evangelisation
skills they learnt at the Youth Ministry Equipping School and assist both the
locals and their fellow team mates to continue learning and growing these
skills.
To experience the unique culture of PNG and forge lasting friendships.
WHEN
5th – 16th July 2016
WHERE
Port Moresby
and Mt Hagan
[email protected]
The Asia Pacific School of Evangelisation (APSE) seeks to serve the Catholic Church in the Asia-Pacific region. APSE conducts
formation programs and mission focused on evangelisation, including initial proclamation, discipleship and formation of
communities. In 2016, APSE will conduct missions to Fiji, PNG and Indonesia. APSE will also conduct the
Youth Ministry Equipping School in partnership with CSYMA (Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia).
APSE is a national work of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community (DoJ) and a partnership ministry with the Missionaries of
God’s Love (MGL).
ABOUT THE MISSION
Papua New Guinea has had a connection with APSE since 1998! It all began when two men from PNG came to an APSE
school in Darwin. Since then, participants have come across to Australia for youth ministry training and to be equipped
in the work of evangelisation. In 2002, the first APSE school was conducted in PNG, with many more in subsequent
years. We are very excited to be venturing back to Papua New Guinea to once again join forces with the PNG team to
conduct a number of outreaches. The team will be made up of members of the MGL, APSE and CSYMA Networks.
The program in PNG will touch many Papua New Guinean people’s lives, as well as those of the team, who have the
opportunity to see the generosity and love of the local people. The mission team will conduct various outreaches, such
as rallies, and visiting orphanages, schools and disadvantaged families. The team will put into practice what they learnt
at the Equipping School and use means of evangelisation such as sharing personal testimony, games, inputs, reflection,
prayer and response. Afterwards, there will be a team debrief in tropical paradise, where everyone has the opportunity
to share about their experiences and come together for prayer.
LEADERSHIP
There will be a leader (and co-leader) of the trip who does all the planning, preparation, communication and sets the itinerary. That
leader will ensure that you are fully equipped and ready for departure. They will then lead you and your team throughout the
mission experience and will ensure that you are pastorally and spiritually supported.
Before the trip, Sr Therese Mills will be the contact person for the mission to PNG. She is able to advise you of cultural challenges,
tips, things to pack, as well travel specifics such as passports and visas (if necessary). Feel free to talk to her about any concerns you
have prior to the mission.
Sr Therese Mills is in her 17th year of being with the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters. She has had over
20 years of experience in youth ministry, is currently the vocations director for the MGL sisters and some
of her work involves forming young people in mission, and taking them out on short term mission trips in
the Asia Pacific region. Sr Therese is most passionate about bringing young people into a personal
relationship with Jesus.
PAPUA NEW
GUINEA
Papua New Guinea is situated just above Australia, consisting
of a mainland and approximately 600 islands. The country
has a population of approximately 7.3 million people
(equivalent to less than half of Australia’s population). All
those who have visited PNG have been amazed by the
adventurous atmosphere. The local Papua New Guinean
people are very welcoming, humble and loving. While staying
in PNG, you will most likely stay with a local family for some
of the time and get to experience their traditional culture.
PNG has over 800 known languages, but the official
languages spoken are English, Tok Pisin (commonly called
Pigin) and Hiri Motu. Most people you will meet will have a
basic understanding of English, but the locals will love to
teach you Pidgin! It is surprisingly similar to English, with a
mix of Malay, German and Portugese. Some words you will
pick up intuitively, such as ‘How are you?’ is ‘You orait?’,
pronounced ‘you o-right’ and ‘See you later’ is ‘lukim yu’.
Approximately 85% of Papua New Guinea’s population relies
on farming for their livelihood, with the other 15% living in
urban areas (DFAT, 2016). According to data from UNDP in
2012, 37% of PNG’s population is living below the national
poverty line. The journey to achieve sustainability is slowgoing, with many Papua New Guineans suffering from
emotional and financial hardship. As part of the mission, we
will be participating in works of mercy to show compassion
and love in a practical way to our brothers and sisters in PNG.
In PNG, the team will conduct rallies, visit people in villages,
run sessions in the local schools, minister to the orphans and
children who can't or don't attend school, visit and pray with
patients in the hospitals/clinics, help train and form young
leaders in evangelisation and youth ministry, and immerse
themselves fully into the wonderful culture and history of
PNG.
Christianity is the largest religion in Papua New Guinea (96%
of the population), with approximately 27% of Christians
identifying themselves as Roman Catholic in the 2000 census.
Followed by 20% who are part of the Lutheran church. Other
religions in Papua New Guinea include Baha’i and Islam.
[email protected]
DRAFT ITINERARY
THE ITINERARY IS CURRENTLY BEING DRAFTED. WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING IN PNG INCLUDES:
DEPART AUSTRALIA TO ARRIVE IN PNG, WHERE LOCAL PNG PEOPLE WILL BE WAITING WITH
ANTICIPATION AT THE AIRPORT TO GREET AND WELCOME YOU AND THE TEAM. ALONGSIDE LOCAL
PAPUA NEW GUINEANS AND PAST APSE PARTICIPANTS, THE TEAM WILL CONDUCT VARIOUS
OUTREACHES SUCH AS:
•
•
•
•
•
YOUTH RALLY
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR
OUTREACH TO POOR FAMILIES
VISIT AND RUN A SESSION IN AN ORPHANAGE
OUTREACH TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND YOUTH GROUPS
The team will also have the opportunity to meet and visit the children who are orphans that the 'Have a Go'
organisation sponsors. 'Have a go' is a Disciples of Jesus outreach that sponsors, houses and schools children and
young people who are less fortunate or disadvantaged.
YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT INTO PRACTICE WHAT YOU LEARNT AT THE EQUIPPING
SCHOOL THROUGH SHARING PERSONAL TESTIMONY, GAMES, INPUTS/PREACHING, REFLECTION, PRAYER
AND RESPONSE ALL IN A CROSS CULTURAL CONTEXT.
You also have the option of supporting disadvantaged families, children, adults or communities/parishes by gathering
clothes, toys, school accessories, musical equipment, prayer resources and Aussie souvenirs etc. to take and give as gifts
to those who you meet and build friendships with on your mission trip.
The costs for the APSE PNG Mission is estimated to be approximately $1200-$1500.
Note: This is an estimated cost, and is subject to change.
This cost includes:
Auxilary costs ($400) - This cost includes food, accommodation,
ground travel and team debrief.
Airfares (Ranging from $800-$1100) – perhaps more if internal flights are
required
This cost does not include:
Health and travel insurances which costs approximately $70.
Vaccinations which cost approx $100-$200.
Visa.
All of these items will be completed in liaise with the APSE Mission Leaders.
EXPERIENCE GOD.
“I have thoroughly loved the 5 times I have been to PNG as part of an APSE mission team. I found their culture to be so rich, their
hearts were really open and hungry to hear and learn about Jesus. Going up to the highlands of PNG, was a real highlight. I learnt
so much about myself but also about one of our neighbours. Overall it was an enriching experience. I can't wait to go back.”
- Fiona Smith
“I recall taking my first steps in PNG. The hot air hit me in the face. The smell of hard work crept into my system. I gazed around
into the faces that were to be my family for the next ten days. I knew that God was here, alive in each and every one of these
people. PNG offered many challenges and opportunities for grace. I was privileged to see God reveal himself in the mightiest and
littlest of ways. He grew myself and others we were there to see into more of his children. It was incredible and awe-inspiring.”
- Sarah Gleeson