The compound we are staying on is for the Aboriginals (natives) to stay as they travel to and from the hospital.
The first couple of days I had no clue who these people were. I had heard stories but nothing made sense. All I was being told was words. I had no understanding of the people.
That all changed when Natalie and I were traveling back from the farm one night. Pastor Merv was talking about how the ministry and how they made money to keep it going and mentioned that the sick stay for free because the government paid for the room. I chose this moment to get to know the culture of the Aboriginals a little better.
Before I get going on what I learned, let me recap my thoughts prior:
*SHOCK*
-people talked to us openly
-asked us to pray for them
-they are nice
-talk about Jesus
I was not expecting any of those things to happen. I thought Merv and the other workers had lost their minds.
Ok so back to Mervs information lesson/what I learned about the Aboriginals:
-they get money every month from the government. They usually get double or triple the money on children because parents and grandparents all claim the same child.
-they blow their money as soon as they get it on grog, drugs, and expensive items.
-they only live for today. They don't live for the future. Which is why they don't save money up.
-They are often given free items or special privileges because they are native to the land.
-they know the stories of the bible and say they are Christian and live for God but they still practice black magic. To them culture and religion are two different things. They can live one way but believe in something else.
-they will lie to you the first time, tell some truth the second time, and the third time they will trust you and tell you the truth.
-they can't be tried for murder if it is by black magic or boomerang.
-they live off the land. They are gatherers and not hunters.
-when women get married they knock a front tooth out.
-every girl is gang rapped at a young age.
-they see spirits and notice when a Christian is around. They don't mess with Christians because they know Gods power.
-it is hard to leave the community. Only one woman has left and became a Christian in the twenty years the ministry has been open. One is better than none. Stephanie is able to give great insight to the ministry to help reach more people.
-they don't punish their children because that child might be their grandfather. Only one uncle is allowed to punish the kids in the family.
After getting to know a very small bit of the culture I got the attitude of why try. The same attitude I see the workers have on the compound. I have listened to many stories and they are all the same. Yes I want to help them. I noticed my behavior and have changed it because i am the missionary not the judge.
It is just hard to hear them talk about God and then see them go back to black magic. I was listening to one lady who says every night the spirits come to get her. I told her she needs to pray to God at those moments but she was too scared of them to take the advice. I haven't seen her since.
This compound is a very dark place. Many things go one that I don't even know about but I know I am safe because I know God is with me.
