Work has brought me to many different islands. I love travelling and when I had the opportunity to visit the South Pacific which includes Fiji Islands 2003 and PNG 2004, I made sure I experienced the local flavors for I am always interested in the culture, food and people of the places I have gone to.
In my second visit to the South Pacific Islands in Papua New Guinea, I am thankful that I had time off during Sunday mornings to attend Sunday mass. I was in Madang Lagoon up in the North across the Highlands. It took quite a while and a long story to get there. I went thru Port Moresby. I did not stay in Port Moresby where we were always escorted everywhere by friends and we were not allowed to even walk the streets.
On that Sunday morning, I planned to go with some other fellow participants to church but at 8am, no one was up for it. Thus, I went alone. I rented a taxi from the hotel. Upon arriving I was amazed that the church was full that even mothers and children were sitting on the floor along the sides and at the back wearing their beautiful colorful Sunday clothes with their "bilums". The mass was in Pidgin, a local language of Papuan/French/English. I literally understood nothing but I was aware of the Eucharist celebration and it moved me. As I stood there at the back pew, I was swimming in a church full of "Bob Marleys and Lauryn Hills" singing praises to God in tongues ---literally :O) I felt very blessed by the experience.
On my way back, my taxi missed me and a good lady gave me a lift back for she lives near our hotel. She knew that I was Filipina and she said that Filipinos attend mass at 5pm English service. I was happy that she recognized me as a Pinay. I thank God for taking care of me in that remote island and making me experience His loving providence through our South Pacific brothers and sisters. Now as I recall that morning, I can still hear their drum beats and soulful voices singing praises.
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