Asia Journal ’24 - #5:

 

Another blessed day of interviews, and worship at Jim Yost’s Worship Center (Pokem). Powerful! A wonderful cross-section of worshippers gathered, from the most professional (there were 2 ladies who studied in Portland, OR) to the humblest of society. All the elements of good worship and community were experienced. Their extensive praise song set was sung with extreme energy. However, when they sung a Papua song in the local indigenous idiom, the whole place came even more alive. This I find true worldwide in the global south. And this point was emphasized in the interview with a group of Papuans after the service. I was also blessed to have another enlightening interview with Matt, an ethnomusicologist working in this region for the last 26 years. We ended the day with another very authentic Papuan meal - Papeda.