Prayer Letter - New Guinea News
(from PNG)

December 6, 2006

What kind of music have you been listening to lately? Do you hear Silver Bells in the air, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, or how about Away In A Manger? Our December has been filled with a different kind of music. We’ve been listening to lalits and kundus. A lalit is an instrument made out of bamboo with a narrow slit cut out of it. The Patpatar hit it with a stick to keep time to the singing. The Kundu drum is made of wood, and the top is covered with the skin of a large lizard. The use of these instruments accompanies the traditional dancing here.

Right now is a time of school closings. This is a time rich in the culture of the people. Yesterday, we sat and listened to the sounds of the Patpatar and watched as they danced. As we watched questions were asked. We watched as a man spat white substance on the dancers. A lady close by told us that he was spitting power on the dancers so they could dance well. People went to the center and started to throw white powder on people, slapping them on the back or whipping them with long grass or twigs, and taking away the dancers’ head pieces. We found out later that if you go and touch a dancer of the opposite sex, it means you like them. With finding out all of this information, I was thankful to be only a spectator. My heart left heavy as I was reminded of the lost souls of the Patpatar. Please pray for us as we observe, that we will continue to gain insights into the people’s ways.

Once again, Aaron is on another survey helping to scout out a possible new location for some new missionaries. He said when he left (December2), that he’d be home Saturday, December 9. I was later told that they were expected to be back on Thursday, December 7. The latest is that they’ve had boat trouble, so we really don’t know when Daddy will be home. Please pray for a successful trip and for safety for all involved, as well as for the boat to be fixed.

Thank you for being part of the Patpatar team through prayer, financial giving, and encouragement. We appreciate each and every one of you!



In His Hands,

Lori Luse, for the Luse family-Aaron, Lori, Avalon and Sierra