“I think this typewriter really has them fascinated this morning.”

1962 May 15

Letter written by Alvin Erickson from the Malalo Mission station to Mr and Mrs A.S. Erickson, Box 1327, Glendive, MT USA

Dear mom and dad,
This morning I am writing you from a bush material house at the very southern end of my circuit. About 50 yards in front of me, the ocean is pounding against the sand. There are several islands straight out to sea.

Yesterday we came here by boat and last night had a meeting in the village Piowa, not to far from Morobe. This part of my area is the real fisherman‘s delight. A white man’s boat then comes around and buys their fish from them. They drop their lines down about 200 feet so I can imagine it is quite a bit like the fishing we did in the Pacific.
For supper last night they gave me two fish. I only ate one but was it ever delicious. There are no white men in this area, but it is really a dream land. I only wish I could have gotten a picture of some of the beautiful islands, water and mountains I saw yesterday.
The government is about to buy all the timber rights from two of our villages here. This one and another closer Malalo. They are going to pay these people about $22,500 which is really a fantastic amount of money to put in the hands of these people. One of the hardest problems to overcome is the irresponsibility these people have with money. They grow their own food and build their own houses and have very little expense for clothes. They have no monthly bills. If they go to work for a white man, their board and room are provided. Therefore, since money is not an essential for them as it is for us, they have never really learned to use it. You can well imagine how much money is thrown and gambling here. Now suddenly to dump certain amount of foresight and know how, it would not be hard to see what they should do. With good leader ship they could do quite well I believe by investing in a fish boat, net freezer and really going into the business. They have some of the best fishing waters and all of New Guinea and there is really a terrific market for fish right now. However, having observed the New Guinean  for several months now, I doubt if they would have the necessary understanding, discipline, precaution, and business sense to make something like this pay period and expensive boat for instance, would probably have a very limited life under their supervision.

We received your very thoughtful package. Thank you so much for the very beautiful shirt. I’m really making good use of all my short sleeve shirts now. We haven’t opened some of the packages yet as we are waiting for Paula‘s birthday. Her eyes really light up when we bring out a package.
As usual there are quite a number of school children sitting outside watching the activities of the missionary. I think this typewriter really has them fascinated this morning. I’ve just been over looking over some of the fish huts they have here in the village. These people live at the mouth of a quite a nice sized jungle stream so there are certain times when there are many fish which come up close to the beach here and a net works very well. They also have a knack for the big sea cow which I mentioned in a letter. The net is made of rope. They put it out in the water when the sea cow has crawled up on the beach and then they scare it back into the water and trap it in the net.
The language is still getting up down although I am now able to get some of what is said and to understand quite a bit of what I read. It’s just seems that most of the people talk too fast. We are really starting to see how important the language is as these people have a little respect for anyone who doesn’t think the way they do and you have to know their language in order to do that.

We have received some very nice records from both the L Matheson’s and Langton Bells. We want to send a letter to these people quickly but in case you see them will you give them our thanks. I think Ina sent a letter to the Matheson’s. By the way we sent a package to Helen’s. It is stuff for the women and kids. I have a bad feeling that it is going to get quite beat up and transport. The purse is for Helen, shells for Greg, The grass skirt for Vicki, basket for mom and one hot dish holder should go to each household.

We have been having quite a time with the kids lately, I think Paula had the measles with a bad cough and now Tommy has the same thing and also new teeth.

The congregation has sent two girls along to cook for me. Of course they will expect a little pay but it is one way of making sure that things are done right and washed clean. One girl work for our mission for two years so she knows how to handle food. The people here just gave me a chicken and the girls are cleaning it.

If you come to New Guinea, I will want to take you down this way for a little fishing and a chance to see this area. New Guinea has so much to offer for anyone like ourselves who are used to the many beautiful shades of green. Glad to know it is getting summer in America. It feels funny to be in a place like this in the winter.

We are starting to realize that we are going to be dealing with many little problems in our work here. There’s so many facets to the work and as long as things run smoothly, we don’t hear much about it but when something gets fouled up, it finds its way to our ears. For instance the other night we got a report that a man from one of the villages was dying of cirrhosis of the liver. He had not let anyone come and tell us he was sick and by the time we heard, he was too weak to be sent to the hospital. Besides, the sea was very rough. But those are just the kind of things which are continually going on since these people really don’t have a full understanding of what medical work is. They think a pill will cure anything.
Well this is a different sort of letter that will maybe give you a little more insight into our life here. We feel our main task is being patient with many weaknesses of these people as they are with ours and to help them grow up into the faith into which they have been called.

Thank you for your wonderful support and encouragement toward us. May we more clearly see the greatness of our God and the wonder of his love towards us.

All our love, Al, Ina, Paula, Tom.

Piowa is at the very bottom of this map - not noted on this map but it is the southern boundry of the Malalo circuit.