National Day of Mourning

The stats for violence against women in PNG are staggering--some of the worst in the world.  Half of women have been sexually assaulted.  Two thirds are victims of domestic violence.  Not to mention torture for witchcraft, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer, and other heavies that disproportionately affect women.  YIKES.

Due to some high profile cases and grass-roots efforts, people are beginning to speak out.  On May 15th, we observed a National Day of Mourning.  Rallies were organized around the country to bring attention to the problem of violence against women.  Nazarene Hospital sponsored its own event in the outpatient department.  Waiting patients, their watchmen, and whoever else happened to be around head presentations by Voice of Change and some of our hospital leaders.  A community man spoke on behalf of all men, apologizing for the treatment of their mothers and wives and sisters and daughters.  Our hospital chaplain shared a brief devotional and lead in a time of prayer.

One very small step in the fight against violence in PNG!

Here are a couple of links to additional articles relating to this issue...

Day of Mourning

PNG Prime Minister apologizes for violence against women

Women in PNG:  blue ribbon for abuse, white ribbon for violence

Crying Meri:  violence against women in PNG

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

~ Matthew 5:4

Brutus really is a wonder dog

Beck (and Pamela) and I moved into a new house about 4 months ago.  Since the move, our dog Brutus has managed to catch three rats and one mouse.  I'm not sure it is intentional, because Brutus is so stinkin' sweet he wouldn't hurt a flea.  He probably sees the rodent scurrying across the floor and thinks of it as some sort of toy.  It appears that the rat or mouse is then drooled to death, as we find an intact but slobber-covered carcass on his blanket the following morning.

I heard a bit of commotion in the living room about three AM this morning.  Sure enough, Brutus had added another mouse to his tally.  He is pretty proud of himself.  And righty so, 'cause this pooch is more than worth his weight in gold!

Assault with a deadly weapon

This week is General Assembly for the Church of the Nazarene.  Tens of thousands of Nazarenes from around the world are gathering in Indianapolis, Indiana to attend conventions, take care of church business, and to worship together.  About 80 Papua New Guineans are there taking part in the events.

General Superintendent J.K. Warrick spoke during the Friday evening service.  Here is an incredible story that Dr. Warrick shared about D.S. Andrew and his wife Erika.  Andrew is the district superintendent for the Western Highlands Province in PNG.  I wasn't there myself because someone had to stay and look after our patients, so the story is retold by Dr. Andy Bennett.

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Hired thugs came to the district center to kill D.S. Andrew.  Andrew and Erika were warned, and hid.  But when Erika knew that the thugs had entered her house where her children were, she went to their aid.  Thinking that it was unlikely that the men would want to hurt anyone except Andrew, he remained in hiding.

The men accosted her, and demanded to know where Andrew was, threatening to kill her if she didn't tell.  They struck her on the wrist with a bush knife, but only a small scratch resulted.  They then placed an AK47 against her jaw, and again demanded that she tell them where Andrew was.  When she still refused, they fired the gun.  Although it discharged, and she fell to the ground, only a small red mark was left on her face where the muzzle of the gun had been.

When several neighbors, hearing the shot, rushed outside to see what was going on, the thugs jumped into their car and sped away.

Dr. Warrick had shared the story a few weeks later in a camp meeting message.  After the service George Wood approached him to tell that he had had a vision of shooting a Christian with an AK47, and had had been praying that God would plug the barrel of any AK47 used to try to harm a believer.  A week or two before this meeting, he had felt relieved of the burden to pray for this.

This evening in the service, Dr. Warrick shared the story again.  He had arranged for Andrew and Erika and the Woods to be seated in the front row, and introduced them.

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"He is the God who avenges me,

who subdues nations under me,

who saves me from my enemies.

You exalted me above my foes;

from a violent man you rescued me.

Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;

I will sing the praises of your name."

~ Psalm 18:47-49