Study Opportunities in the USA for PNG students

Waldorf College is a bachelor's college with an enrollment of approximately 600 students, which offers degrees that combine a strong liberal arts base with applied learning. Co-curricular programs ranging from the second oldest acapella choir in the nation to the outstanding theater program to highly competitive athletic teams provide students with a wide range of opportunities for meaningful participation and personal development.

Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa is committed to bringing the world to our students through international student recruitment and study-abroad programs. Every student is challenged to excel in Waldorf's community of faith and learning where students are treated with dignity and respect. The College has an attractive campus with fourteen major buildings and excellent technology resources. All students receive a laptop computer for their use while enrolled, and the College is committed to the integration of technology to enrich instruction and enhance the student's educational experience.

Waldorf College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and aims to model in all its programs and activities the Lutheran understanding of life lived in response to God's grace--a divine calling in service to God and the human community. Waldorf welcomes students of all faiths and Christian denominations.

Waldorf is part of the Western Iowa Synod.

www.waldorf.edu

N.B. Let me know if you've interests to study at the above college or other universities and colleges in the USA.

Study Opportunities in the USA for PNG students

Waldorf College is a bachelor's college with an enrollment of approximately 600 students, which offers degrees that combine a strong liberal arts base with applied learning. Co-curricular programs ranging from the second oldest acapella choir in the nation to the outstanding theater program to highly competitive athletic teams provide students with a wide range of opportunities for meaningful participation and personal development.

Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa is committed to bringing the world to our students through international student recruitment and study-abroad programs. Every student is challenged to excel in Waldorf's community of faith and learning where students are treated with dignity and respect. The College has an attractive campus with fourteen major buildings and excellent technology resources. All students receive a laptop computer for their use while enrolled, and the College is committed to the integration of technology to enrich instruction and enhance the student's educational experience.

Waldorf College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and aims to model in all its programs and activities the Lutheran understanding of life lived in response to God's grace--a divine calling in service to God and the human community. Waldorf welcomes students of all faiths and Christian denominations.

Waldorf is part of the Western Iowa Synod.

www.waldorf.edu

N.B. Let me know if you've interests to study at the above college or other universities and colleges in the USA.

Study Opportunities in the USA for PNG students

Waldorf College is a bachelor's college with an enrollment of approximately 600 students, which offers degrees that combine a strong liberal arts base with applied learning. Co-curricular programs ranging from the second oldest acapella choir in the nation to the outstanding theater program to highly competitive athletic teams provide students with a wide range of opportunities for meaningful participation and personal development.

Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa is committed to bringing the world to our students through international student recruitment and study-abroad programs. Every student is challenged to excel in Waldorf's community of faith and learning where students are treated with dignity and respect. The College has an attractive campus with fourteen major buildings and excellent technology resources. All students receive a laptop computer for their use while enrolled, and the College is committed to the integration of technology to enrich instruction and enhance the student's educational experience.

Waldorf College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and aims to model in all its programs and activities the Lutheran understanding of life lived in response to God's grace--a divine calling in service to God and the human community. Waldorf welcomes students of all faiths and Christian denominations.

Waldorf is part of the Western Iowa Synod.

www.waldorf.edu

N.B. Let me know if you've interests to study at the above college or other universities and colleges in the USA.

Corruption, mismanagement a hindrance to good governance

Why have we done so poorly when four years ago, the Somare government declared its commitment to achieve good governance? There are three contributing factors that undermine the foundation for good governance: l Politics - It has advantages and disadvantages at all levels of government. With more than 20 political parties, it is difficult to work collectively with like-minded leaders to ensure good governance when their policies are not transparent and implemented, while their agendas and motives are diverse. Cheap political point scoring and power hungry politics is one thing and vivacious, candid and unprejudiced politics is another. For the past four years, it seems to us that the former was ubiquitous. We can make little progress if the number of political parties is minimised with few parties with sound policies to lead the country with less politics. No matter what political party an MP is affiliated to, all who form the government must be loyal to each other to work collaboratively to fully implement the Government’s policies; l Corruption - Is a result, it is not a cause. To deal effectively with corruption, one must not look at treating the symptoms of corruption but must deal with the cause. Effective prosecution and punishment is not dealing with the cause but the symptom. In the public eye, the outcomes of some of these high profile cases are dubious. The judiciary system needs to have more teeth. The Government’s Medium Term Development Strategy will bear fruit when the law has its course. If prosecutions were done accordingly, perhaps it should send a chilling message to daylight robbers who habitually embezzle from the public coffers. The most important tool to minimise corruption is being honest to yourself, your fellow country man/woman and the nation at large; and l Mismanagement - For all variety of reasons, honesty and integrity are becoming noble words in this day and age. No matter how much honesty it takes, greed and shrewdness in dealings are common symptoms that need to be eliminated by a vibrant law and justice sector. Mismanagement and corruption may go hand in hand and they both are here to stay for the reason that leaders and people in positions of trust cannot be trusted. The current scenario in the Finance Department is a classic example. What the situation requires is for all of us to work together. People must stop pushing members for handouts because they will manipulate their RDF and non-discretionary electoral funds to give what the people want.

— David Ketepa Ulg

Corruption, mismanagement a hindrance to good governance

Why have we done so poorly when four years ago, the Somare government declared its commitment to achieve good governance? There are three contributing factors that undermine the foundation for good governance: l Politics - It has advantages and disadvantages at all levels of government. With more than 20 political parties, it is difficult to work collectively with like-minded leaders to ensure good governance when their policies are not transparent and implemented, while their agendas and motives are diverse. Cheap political point scoring and power hungry politics is one thing and vivacious, candid and unprejudiced politics is another. For the past four years, it seems to us that the former was ubiquitous. We can make little progress if the number of political parties is minimised with few parties with sound policies to lead the country with less politics. No matter what political party an MP is affiliated to, all who form the government must be loyal to each other to work collaboratively to fully implement the Government’s policies; l Corruption - Is a result, it is not a cause. To deal effectively with corruption, one must not look at treating the symptoms of corruption but must deal with the cause. Effective prosecution and punishment is not dealing with the cause but the symptom. In the public eye, the outcomes of some of these high profile cases are dubious. The judiciary system needs to have more teeth. The Government’s Medium Term Development Strategy will bear fruit when the law has its course. If prosecutions were done accordingly, perhaps it should send a chilling message to daylight robbers who habitually embezzle from the public coffers. The most important tool to minimise corruption is being honest to yourself, your fellow country man/woman and the nation at large; and l Mismanagement - For all variety of reasons, honesty and integrity are becoming noble words in this day and age. No matter how much honesty it takes, greed and shrewdness in dealings are common symptoms that need to be eliminated by a vibrant law and justice sector. Mismanagement and corruption may go hand in hand and they both are here to stay for the reason that leaders and people in positions of trust cannot be trusted. The current scenario in the Finance Department is a classic example. What the situation requires is for all of us to work together. People must stop pushing members for handouts because they will manipulate their RDF and non-discretionary electoral funds to give what the people want.

— David Ketepa Ulg

Corruption, mismanagement a hindrance to good governance

Why have we done so poorly when four years ago, the Somare government declared its commitment to achieve good governance? There are three contributing factors that undermine the foundation for good governance: l Politics - It has advantages and disadvantages at all levels of government. With more than 20 political parties, it is difficult to work collectively with like-minded leaders to ensure good governance when their policies are not transparent and implemented, while their agendas and motives are diverse. Cheap political point scoring and power hungry politics is one thing and vivacious, candid and unprejudiced politics is another. For the past four years, it seems to us that the former was ubiquitous. We can make little progress if the number of political parties is minimised with few parties with sound policies to lead the country with less politics. No matter what political party an MP is affiliated to, all who form the government must be loyal to each other to work collaboratively to fully implement the Government’s policies; l Corruption - Is a result, it is not a cause. To deal effectively with corruption, one must not look at treating the symptoms of corruption but must deal with the cause. Effective prosecution and punishment is not dealing with the cause but the symptom. In the public eye, the outcomes of some of these high profile cases are dubious. The judiciary system needs to have more teeth. The Government’s Medium Term Development Strategy will bear fruit when the law has its course. If prosecutions were done accordingly, perhaps it should send a chilling message to daylight robbers who habitually embezzle from the public coffers. The most important tool to minimise corruption is being honest to yourself, your fellow country man/woman and the nation at large; and l Mismanagement - For all variety of reasons, honesty and integrity are becoming noble words in this day and age. No matter how much honesty it takes, greed and shrewdness in dealings are common symptoms that need to be eliminated by a vibrant law and justice sector. Mismanagement and corruption may go hand in hand and they both are here to stay for the reason that leaders and people in positions of trust cannot be trusted. The current scenario in the Finance Department is a classic example. What the situation requires is for all of us to work together. People must stop pushing members for handouts because they will manipulate their RDF and non-discretionary electoral funds to give what the people want.

— David Ketepa Ulg

Let's look for opportunities

Britain’s kind gesture is appealing

THE agreement signed by the British and Papua New Guinea governments to allow young people from PNG to work in UK is very charismatic (Post-Courier, October 27).
Britain’s kind gesture towards PNG would pave the way for more vibrant bilateral relations between the two countries.
Not only will the agreement alleviate PNG’s unemployment rate for a short-term but would enhance young Papua New Guineans to be exposed to the outside world to experience and acquire skills and knowledge to develop PNG when the term expires.
On the same token, PNG should not beseech Australia and New Zealand for a similar gesture.
I don’t think PNG would receive a favourable answer from these so-called closest neighbours soon.
The motives of their decline are obvious, as Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said..
Among other things, Mr Howard said good “governance” is the key to install investor confident that would in turn create job opportunities.
If Mr Howard is correct, let us clean our backyard and at the same time focus on formulating a strategy to send our young people to UK.
After that approach is in place and works successfully in the UK, show proof of it to Australia and New Zealand about the outcomes.
I hope these two countries would have some leniency in our approaches.
Nevertheless, the approaches taken to send workers to UK will be welcomed in most of the rural areas who are educated and could not find formal employment.

David Ketepa Ulg
Michigan, US

Let's look for opportunities

Britain’s kind gesture is appealing

THE agreement signed by the British and Papua New Guinea governments to allow young people from PNG to work in UK is very charismatic (Post-Courier, October 27).
Britain’s kind gesture towards PNG would pave the way for more vibrant bilateral relations between the two countries.
Not only will the agreement alleviate PNG’s unemployment rate for a short-term but would enhance young Papua New Guineans to be exposed to the outside world to experience and acquire skills and knowledge to develop PNG when the term expires.
On the same token, PNG should not beseech Australia and New Zealand for a similar gesture.
I don’t think PNG would receive a favourable answer from these so-called closest neighbours soon.
The motives of their decline are obvious, as Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said..
Among other things, Mr Howard said good “governance” is the key to install investor confident that would in turn create job opportunities.
If Mr Howard is correct, let us clean our backyard and at the same time focus on formulating a strategy to send our young people to UK.
After that approach is in place and works successfully in the UK, show proof of it to Australia and New Zealand about the outcomes.
I hope these two countries would have some leniency in our approaches.
Nevertheless, the approaches taken to send workers to UK will be welcomed in most of the rural areas who are educated and could not find formal employment.

David Ketepa Ulg
Michigan, US

Let's look for opportunities

Britain’s kind gesture is appealing

THE agreement signed by the British and Papua New Guinea governments to allow young people from PNG to work in UK is very charismatic (Post-Courier, October 27).
Britain’s kind gesture towards PNG would pave the way for more vibrant bilateral relations between the two countries.
Not only will the agreement alleviate PNG’s unemployment rate for a short-term but would enhance young Papua New Guineans to be exposed to the outside world to experience and acquire skills and knowledge to develop PNG when the term expires.
On the same token, PNG should not beseech Australia and New Zealand for a similar gesture.
I don’t think PNG would receive a favourable answer from these so-called closest neighbours soon.
The motives of their decline are obvious, as Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said..
Among other things, Mr Howard said good “governance” is the key to install investor confident that would in turn create job opportunities.
If Mr Howard is correct, let us clean our backyard and at the same time focus on formulating a strategy to send our young people to UK.
After that approach is in place and works successfully in the UK, show proof of it to Australia and New Zealand about the outcomes.
I hope these two countries would have some leniency in our approaches.
Nevertheless, the approaches taken to send workers to UK will be welcomed in most of the rural areas who are educated and could not find formal employment.

David Ketepa Ulg
Michigan, US

We can change the cause of our lives

IT is fascinating to note that you can change course of the journey in your life to make your life better or worse. That comes as an assessment at the end of each year and beginning of each new year. Each one of us strives to live a better or worse life in things we get ourselves involved in everyday.
At the start of each new year, we make unequivocal promises to quit some of our old habits to proceed in a new course that would lead us to live better lives. I hope each one of you has that opportunity to do so before the year 2008 begins. I’ve done that over the years and succeeded in some while I failed miserably in others. On January 1, at 12 midnight, I made two new year resolutions. I decided not to 1, take alcohol 2, have sex outside of marriage. I only chose two new year resolutions because I don’t comply when I have more. If I were a politician, a bureaucratic, or a public servant my new year resolution would be to minimise corruption, mismanagement, nepotism, and finally say no to bribery. If we all had new year resolutions to minimize some of our pressing issues that are consuming the fabrics of our societies, I think we would see significant changes at the end of 2008. It’s only the beginning of the year and I hope you’re coping with the pressing temptations as a result of quitting some of your worst habits. You’ve made a right choice so stand firm. I am already feeling the pitch of having a good SP beer with my friends on the weekend. Unless I walk to the store and get it with my hands, I will still stand firm on my new year resolution in the years ahead.
I hope you can do it too!

– David Ketepa Ulg

We can change the cause of our lives

IT is fascinating to note that you can change course of the journey in your life to make your life better or worse. That comes as an assessment at the end of each year and beginning of each new year. Each one of us strives to live a better or worse life in things we get ourselves involved in everyday.
At the start of each new year, we make unequivocal promises to quit some of our old habits to proceed in a new course that would lead us to live better lives. I hope each one of you has that opportunity to do so before the year 2008 begins. I’ve done that over the years and succeeded in some while I failed miserably in others. On January 1, at 12 midnight, I made two new year resolutions. I decided not to 1, take alcohol 2, have sex outside of marriage. I only chose two new year resolutions because I don’t comply when I have more. If I were a politician, a bureaucratic, or a public servant my new year resolution would be to minimise corruption, mismanagement, nepotism, and finally say no to bribery. If we all had new year resolutions to minimize some of our pressing issues that are consuming the fabrics of our societies, I think we would see significant changes at the end of 2008. It’s only the beginning of the year and I hope you’re coping with the pressing temptations as a result of quitting some of your worst habits. You’ve made a right choice so stand firm. I am already feeling the pitch of having a good SP beer with my friends on the weekend. Unless I walk to the store and get it with my hands, I will still stand firm on my new year resolution in the years ahead.
I hope you can do it too!

– David Ketepa Ulg

We can change the cause of our lives

IT is fascinating to note that you can change course of the journey in your life to make your life better or worse. That comes as an assessment at the end of each year and beginning of each new year. Each one of us strives to live a better or worse life in things we get ourselves involved in everyday.
At the start of each new year, we make unequivocal promises to quit some of our old habits to proceed in a new course that would lead us to live better lives. I hope each one of you has that opportunity to do so before the year 2008 begins. I’ve done that over the years and succeeded in some while I failed miserably in others. On January 1, at 12 midnight, I made two new year resolutions. I decided not to 1, take alcohol 2, have sex outside of marriage. I only chose two new year resolutions because I don’t comply when I have more. If I were a politician, a bureaucratic, or a public servant my new year resolution would be to minimise corruption, mismanagement, nepotism, and finally say no to bribery. If we all had new year resolutions to minimize some of our pressing issues that are consuming the fabrics of our societies, I think we would see significant changes at the end of 2008. It’s only the beginning of the year and I hope you’re coping with the pressing temptations as a result of quitting some of your worst habits. You’ve made a right choice so stand firm. I am already feeling the pitch of having a good SP beer with my friends on the weekend. Unless I walk to the store and get it with my hands, I will still stand firm on my new year resolution in the years ahead.
I hope you can do it too!

– David Ketepa Ulg

Gang banger (Poem)

From the inner city streets
to Waigani - gang bangers
why must you kill?
Too many dead babies
Too many weeping mothers
Too many lost sisters and brothers
It’s time to call a truce
Time to give love and understanding
A chance and see what peace will
produce.
We know that death and destruction
is all that war is worth and
that’s exactly what we’ll get
if we don’t get along and
share this earth.
Gang bangers - don’t bang any more
Gang bangers - do we need another war.
Gang bangers - put your banging tools away and let’s approach tomorrow in a brand new way.
Gang bangers it’s time to end
the violence and stop the wars!
Gang bangers - please!
Don’t bang any more!

By David Ketepa Ulg

Gang banger (Poem)

From the inner city streets
to Waigani - gang bangers
why must you kill?
Too many dead babies
Too many weeping mothers
Too many lost sisters and brothers
It’s time to call a truce
Time to give love and understanding
A chance and see what peace will
produce.
We know that death and destruction
is all that war is worth and
that’s exactly what we’ll get
if we don’t get along and
share this earth.
Gang bangers - don’t bang any more
Gang bangers - do we need another war.
Gang bangers - put your banging tools away and let’s approach tomorrow in a brand new way.
Gang bangers it’s time to end
the violence and stop the wars!
Gang bangers - please!
Don’t bang any more!

By David Ketepa Ulg

Gang banger (Poem)

From the inner city streets
to Waigani - gang bangers
why must you kill?
Too many dead babies
Too many weeping mothers
Too many lost sisters and brothers
It’s time to call a truce
Time to give love and understanding
A chance and see what peace will
produce.
We know that death and destruction
is all that war is worth and
that’s exactly what we’ll get
if we don’t get along and
share this earth.
Gang bangers - don’t bang any more
Gang bangers - do we need another war.
Gang bangers - put your banging tools away and let’s approach tomorrow in a brand new way.
Gang bangers it’s time to end
the violence and stop the wars!
Gang bangers - please!
Don’t bang any more!

By David Ketepa Ulg

Earthling (Poem)

If a man from Mars
Fell from the stars
We’d call him a Martian
By any other name
But if you or I took a trip in the sky
To a far off place
In outer space and
Met a Martian face to face
And it knew nothing of our
Labels of color, creed or race
And if that Martian asked

“Who am I?”
I could not lie
I’d look that Martian
Directly in it’s Martian eyes
and tell it one thing

I come in peace
I’m an Earthling.
One World - One People
We’re all in this together.

By David Ketepa Ulg

Earthling (Poem)

If a man from Mars
Fell from the stars
We’d call him a Martian
By any other name
But if you or I took a trip in the sky
To a far off place
In outer space and
Met a Martian face to face
And it knew nothing of our
Labels of color, creed or race
And if that Martian asked

“Who am I?”
I could not lie
I’d look that Martian
Directly in it’s Martian eyes
and tell it one thing

I come in peace
I’m an Earthling.
One World - One People
We’re all in this together.

By David Ketepa Ulg

Earthling (Poem)

If a man from Mars
Fell from the stars
We’d call him a Martian
By any other name
But if you or I took a trip in the sky
To a far off place
In outer space and
Met a Martian face to face
And it knew nothing of our
Labels of color, creed or race
And if that Martian asked

“Who am I?”
I could not lie
I’d look that Martian
Directly in it’s Martian eyes
and tell it one thing

I come in peace
I’m an Earthling.
One World - One People
We’re all in this together.

By David Ketepa Ulg

Let's be thankful to God for what we already have

Thankful

Thanks to all my fathers
Thanks to all my mothers
Thanks to all my sisters and
Thanks to all my brothers
Thanks for all that I have
And all I ever will
Thanks
for all the dreams come true
Thanks
For allowing the goodness of me
To know the goodness of you
Thanks for all there is and
all there ever was
Thankful, thankful, thankful
To the Lord above
For the blessings of life and the
Gift of love

By David Ulg Ketepa

Let's be thankful to God for what we already have

Thankful

Thanks to all my fathers
Thanks to all my mothers
Thanks to all my sisters and
Thanks to all my brothers
Thanks for all that I have
And all I ever will
Thanks
for all the dreams come true
Thanks
For allowing the goodness of me
To know the goodness of you
Thanks for all there is and
all there ever was
Thankful, thankful, thankful
To the Lord above
For the blessings of life and the
Gift of love

By David Ulg Ketepa

Let's be thankful to God for what we already have

Thankful

Thanks to all my fathers
Thanks to all my mothers
Thanks to all my sisters and
Thanks to all my brothers
Thanks for all that I have
And all I ever will
Thanks
for all the dreams come true
Thanks
For allowing the goodness of me
To know the goodness of you
Thanks for all there is and
all there ever was
Thankful, thankful, thankful
To the Lord above
For the blessings of life and the
Gift of love

By David Ulg Ketepa

Let's keep Hagen Town clean

AFTER spending a month in Mt Hagen, I don’t think it deserves to be called the third city. There were rubbish and betelnut stains everywhere, even in front of shops and Kapal Haus. Store goods are being sold on the streets and footpaths were created on flowerbeds. Pocket picking and petty crimes are also rampant and the police are helpless. The facilities in the newly built Mt Hagen market have been vandalised and it is a shame to Western Highlanders for not looking after the market. Mt Hagen has some serious cleaning up to do.

- David Ketepa Ulg, Los Angeles, USA

Let's keep Hagen Town clean

AFTER spending a month in Mt Hagen, I don’t think it deserves to be called the third city. There were rubbish and betelnut stains everywhere, even in front of shops and Kapal Haus. Store goods are being sold on the streets and footpaths were created on flowerbeds. Pocket picking and petty crimes are also rampant and the police are helpless. The facilities in the newly built Mt Hagen market have been vandalised and it is a shame to Western Highlanders for not looking after the market. Mt Hagen has some serious cleaning up to do.

- David Ketepa Ulg, Los Angeles, USA

Let's keep Hagen Town clean

AFTER spending a month in Mt Hagen, I don’t think it deserves to be called the third city. There were rubbish and betelnut stains everywhere, even in front of shops and Kapal Haus. Store goods are being sold on the streets and footpaths were created on flowerbeds. Pocket picking and petty crimes are also rampant and the police are helpless. The facilities in the newly built Mt Hagen market have been vandalised and it is a shame to Western Highlanders for not looking after the market. Mt Hagen has some serious cleaning up to do.

- David Ketepa Ulg, Los Angeles, USA

Inner city plea (Poem)

Save the whale and the spotted owl
Save the rain forests and the ecology
But who's concerned about saving me
Save the oil, the gas and the gold
But what about us
Haven't we suffered enough?
Save a toea - save a kina
While our next generation is doing time

Save a country that is my own
Save a thief at a savings and loan
Save enough to accumulate more wealth
But what about the people in the streets
Don't care enough to save our race?
We're not asking for handouts anymore
Because with this statement
We are declaring a political and
conscious raising economic war -
Actions speak louder than words
So act now to our inner city plea
Because if you act too late
No telling what you may see

You've seen the riots, the fires, rapes,
and the floods
Now what are you going to do?
Because the same troubled waters
that surround us now
Will also drown you.

-By David Ketepa Ulg

Inner city plea (Poem)

Save the whale and the spotted owl
Save the rain forests and the ecology
But who's concerned about saving me
Save the oil, the gas and the gold
But what about us
Haven't we suffered enough?
Save a toea - save a kina
While our next generation is doing time

Save a country that is my own
Save a thief at a savings and loan
Save enough to accumulate more wealth
But what about the people in the streets
Don't care enough to save our race?
We're not asking for handouts anymore
Because with this statement
We are declaring a political and
conscious raising economic war -
Actions speak louder than words
So act now to our inner city plea
Because if you act too late
No telling what you may see

You've seen the riots, the fires, rapes,
and the floods
Now what are you going to do?
Because the same troubled waters
that surround us now
Will also drown you.

-By David Ketepa Ulg

Inner city plea (Poem)

Save the whale and the spotted owl
Save the rain forests and the ecology
But who's concerned about saving me
Save the oil, the gas and the gold
But what about us
Haven't we suffered enough?
Save a toea - save a kina
While our next generation is doing time

Save a country that is my own
Save a thief at a savings and loan
Save enough to accumulate more wealth
But what about the people in the streets
Don't care enough to save our race?
We're not asking for handouts anymore
Because with this statement
We are declaring a political and
conscious raising economic war -
Actions speak louder than words
So act now to our inner city plea
Because if you act too late
No telling what you may see

You've seen the riots, the fires, rapes,
and the floods
Now what are you going to do?
Because the same troubled waters
that surround us now
Will also drown you.

-By David Ketepa Ulg

Teen angel (Poem)

Sister, daughter, cousin, niece, a mother,
A heavenly blessing
A child of peace
So remember
Little boy
She's not a toy
Or a video game
Not someone to call
Out of their name
So
Teen angel
Respect yourself and take good care
Watch how you act and
What you wear
And carry yourself with pride and dignity
For the whole world to see
You're the future
A young lady
A woman to be


By David Ketepa Ulg

Teen angel (Poem)

Sister, daughter, cousin, niece, a mother,
A heavenly blessing
A child of peace
So remember
Little boy
She's not a toy
Or a video game
Not someone to call
Out of their name
So
Teen angel
Respect yourself and take good care
Watch how you act and
What you wear
And carry yourself with pride and dignity
For the whole world to see
You're the future
A young lady
A woman to be


By David Ketepa Ulg

Teen angel (Poem)

Sister, daughter, cousin, niece, a mother,
A heavenly blessing
A child of peace
So remember
Little boy
She's not a toy
Or a video game
Not someone to call
Out of their name
So
Teen angel
Respect yourself and take good care
Watch how you act and
What you wear
And carry yourself with pride and dignity
For the whole world to see
You're the future
A young lady
A woman to be


By David Ketepa Ulg

Drive (Poem)

As long as you keep gas in your tank
In the form of motivation
Stay between the lines
In righteous determination
And keep your foot on the pedal
Within legal limitations
You'll get to where you're going
Your final destination.
The joys in the journey
So never let it end
Enjoy the ride
But don't lose the drive
You need it to survive

-By David Ketepa Ulg

Drive (Poem)

As long as you keep gas in your tank
In the form of motivation
Stay between the lines
In righteous determination
And keep your foot on the pedal
Within legal limitations
You'll get to where you're going
Your final destination.
The joys in the journey
So never let it end
Enjoy the ride
But don't lose the drive
You need it to survive

-By David Ketepa Ulg

Drive (Poem)

As long as you keep gas in your tank
In the form of motivation
Stay between the lines
In righteous determination
And keep your foot on the pedal
Within legal limitations
You'll get to where you're going
Your final destination.
The joys in the journey
So never let it end
Enjoy the ride
But don't lose the drive
You need it to survive

-By David Ketepa Ulg

Railway idea timely

THE Government’s foresight in developing a railway system is timely (Oct 8). Railways adopted by most countries around the world are cheaper to maintain and can last longer. If the proposed railway system is properly planned and executed, it will not only save the Government millions of kina but also minimise transport costs for businesses and ordinary citizens. I think this proposal will suit the needs of the people.

– David Ketepa Ulg

Railway idea timely

THE Government’s foresight in developing a railway system is timely (Oct 8). Railways adopted by most countries around the world are cheaper to maintain and can last longer. If the proposed railway system is properly planned and executed, it will not only save the Government millions of kina but also minimise transport costs for businesses and ordinary citizens. I think this proposal will suit the needs of the people.

– David Ketepa Ulg

Railway idea timely

THE Government’s foresight in developing a railway system is timely (Oct 8). Railways adopted by most countries around the world are cheaper to maintain and can last longer. If the proposed railway system is properly planned and executed, it will not only save the Government millions of kina but also minimise transport costs for businesses and ordinary citizens. I think this proposal will suit the needs of the people.

– David Ketepa Ulg

Change for better or worse – it’s up to YOU

IT is fascinating to note that you can change the course of your life’s journey for the better or worse.
At the start of each New Year, we make promises to quit some of our old habits so that we will lead a better live.
I hoped each one of you had that opportunity to do so before the year 2008 began.
I’ve done that over the years and succeeded in some and failed miserably in others.
This year, I made two resolutions.
I have decided not to take alcohol and have sex outside of marriage.
I only chose two resolutions because I don’t comply when I have more.
I am already feeling the urge to have beer with my friends but I hope to stand firm on my resolution.

David Ketepa Ulg

Change for better or worse – it’s up to YOU

IT is fascinating to note that you can change the course of your life’s journey for the better or worse.
At the start of each New Year, we make promises to quit some of our old habits so that we will lead a better live.
I hoped each one of you had that opportunity to do so before the year 2008 began.
I’ve done that over the years and succeeded in some and failed miserably in others.
This year, I made two resolutions.
I have decided not to take alcohol and have sex outside of marriage.
I only chose two resolutions because I don’t comply when I have more.
I am already feeling the urge to have beer with my friends but I hope to stand firm on my resolution.

David Ketepa Ulg

Change for better or worse – it’s up to YOU

IT is fascinating to note that you can change the course of your life’s journey for the better or worse.
At the start of each New Year, we make promises to quit some of our old habits so that we will lead a better live.
I hoped each one of you had that opportunity to do so before the year 2008 began.
I’ve done that over the years and succeeded in some and failed miserably in others.
This year, I made two resolutions.
I have decided not to take alcohol and have sex outside of marriage.
I only chose two resolutions because I don’t comply when I have more.
I am already feeling the urge to have beer with my friends but I hope to stand firm on my resolution.

David Ketepa Ulg

Thank those who are doing good to PNG

Farewell Mr Ambassador

IT is cheerless to hear of the Japanese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Katsuo Yamashita’s departure (Post-Courier, November 3) after his services in the country.
In the past three years, Mr Yamashita had travelled immensely across the nation to touch the lives of many people in the rustic areas through his grassroots program where the PNG Government had failed miserably to deliver for decades.
He also helped in the economic assistance programs through his leadership with the help from the Japanese Government and its people.
His influential leadership depicts not only Japan’s commitment to PNG but to buttress the existing bilateral relations in the years ahead.
He will be gone but his kind gestures will be remembered in the lives of those he met during his term in PNG. Farewell Mr Yamashita.

– David Ketepa Ulg
Michigan, US

Thank those who are doing good to PNG

Farewell Mr Ambassador

IT is cheerless to hear of the Japanese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Katsuo Yamashita’s departure (Post-Courier, November 3) after his services in the country.
In the past three years, Mr Yamashita had travelled immensely across the nation to touch the lives of many people in the rustic areas through his grassroots program where the PNG Government had failed miserably to deliver for decades.
He also helped in the economic assistance programs through his leadership with the help from the Japanese Government and its people.
His influential leadership depicts not only Japan’s commitment to PNG but to buttress the existing bilateral relations in the years ahead.
He will be gone but his kind gestures will be remembered in the lives of those he met during his term in PNG. Farewell Mr Yamashita.

– David Ketepa Ulg
Michigan, US

Thank those who are doing good to PNG

Farewell Mr Ambassador

IT is cheerless to hear of the Japanese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Katsuo Yamashita’s departure (Post-Courier, November 3) after his services in the country.
In the past three years, Mr Yamashita had travelled immensely across the nation to touch the lives of many people in the rustic areas through his grassroots program where the PNG Government had failed miserably to deliver for decades.
He also helped in the economic assistance programs through his leadership with the help from the Japanese Government and its people.
His influential leadership depicts not only Japan’s commitment to PNG but to buttress the existing bilateral relations in the years ahead.
He will be gone but his kind gestures will be remembered in the lives of those he met during his term in PNG. Farewell Mr Yamashita.

– David Ketepa Ulg
Michigan, US

Let's speak against Corruption

Wingti's outcry outrageous

WESTERN Highlands Governor Paias Wingti’s outcry over the National Alliance party and its founder Sir Michael Somare is outrageous (Post-Courier 10/10/06). What has he done for the country and WHP when he was the prime minister? PNG politics has hindered development and we need leaders who can put politics and their interests aside to serve the interests of the people. We the silent majority have had enough of being manipulated by cunning and greedy leaders and their cronies. We need unsullied minds and blood to cater for the affairs of the nation. Leaders who can put the simple people first and their interests last to be servants to others. Enough of petty politics! Political rivalry has led us nowhere in the last 31 years! When are our so-called leaders going to be guilty of their mistakes? I ponder for answers but I can't find them anywhere — David Ketepa Ulg

Let's speak against Corruption

Wingti's outcry outrageous

WESTERN Highlands Governor Paias Wingti’s outcry over the National Alliance party and its founder Sir Michael Somare is outrageous (Post-Courier 10/10/06). What has he done for the country and WHP when he was the prime minister? PNG politics has hindered development and we need leaders who can put politics and their interests aside to serve the interests of the people. We the silent majority have had enough of being manipulated by cunning and greedy leaders and their cronies. We need unsullied minds and blood to cater for the affairs of the nation. Leaders who can put the simple people first and their interests last to be servants to others. Enough of petty politics! Political rivalry has led us nowhere in the last 31 years! When are our so-called leaders going to be guilty of their mistakes? I ponder for answers but I can't find them anywhere — David Ketepa Ulg

Let's speak against Corruption

Wingti's outcry outrageous

WESTERN Highlands Governor Paias Wingti’s outcry over the National Alliance party and its founder Sir Michael Somare is outrageous (Post-Courier 10/10/06). What has he done for the country and WHP when he was the prime minister? PNG politics has hindered development and we need leaders who can put politics and their interests aside to serve the interests of the people. We the silent majority have had enough of being manipulated by cunning and greedy leaders and their cronies. We need unsullied minds and blood to cater for the affairs of the nation. Leaders who can put the simple people first and their interests last to be servants to others. Enough of petty politics! Political rivalry has led us nowhere in the last 31 years! When are our so-called leaders going to be guilty of their mistakes? I ponder for answers but I can't find them anywhere — David Ketepa Ulg

THE MELPA LUTHERAN CHURCH IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA (MLC-PNG)

The Melpa Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea (MLC-PNG) is an offshoot of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG). The doctrines are the same as that of the original ELC-PNG Church and the Gutnius Lutheran Church (GLC), but operate as an independent Church with its own administrative structure. It has its own Bishop (Sanangke Dole) and Ecclesiastic officials. It is presently headquartered in Mount Hagen, but has definite plans to expand to other parts of the country by opening regional and district offices in close cooperation with ELC-PNG and GLC-PNG.

The primary objective of the Church is to follow the footsteps of the great teacher, healer,
helper, redeemer, and savior in spreading the word of God so that all who believe in him
may find everlasting peace and life in Jesus Christ. Thus, a fundamental aim here is to set
out the philosophical parameters for a spiritually fulfilling and healthy living.

Our vision for the Church is threefold: (1) spiritual development; (2) social development;
and (3) maintenance of public order and harmonious human relationship. We anticipate
that over the next decades the church will grow on the basis of faith in the Lord. It is the
responsibility of pastors to train their members in a correct manner so that they become
responsible citizens. The emphasis ought to be on theological training.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said; I am the real vine, and my father is the gardener. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will become clean and bear more fruit. You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you.

Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me (John 15). The words that Jesus spoke to his disciples over 2000 years ago remain true to this day. It is therefore appropriate that we view pastors as the branches and the people as the grapes.

If pastors teach people correctly and follow the principles of the Bible, then the people will
remain strong and faithful to God. In this way the church will gain strength and grow.
The word of God and faith in God is the foundation of this church. Without faith (attaching
the branch to the vine), the church has no future. Believing in God is important, but it is
also necessary to proclaim that Jesus is Lord and to announce the Good News to everyone.
The message to Christians can be found in the first letter of Peter:

But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, and God’s own
people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of
darkness into his own marvelous light. At one time you were not God’s people,
but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God’s mercy, but now
you have received his mercy (I Peter 2:9-10).

As this message indicates, Christians must take heed of advice from the Bible whilst at the
same time announce to the world that God has done great things for them.
Our vision for the future is that the church will grow in strength so that all our programs
can run successfully. It is our greatest desire that missionaries from this Church may oneday
witness for God in other countries. As the scripture says:

Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in
the name of the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to obey
everything I have commanded you.

Our greatest desire is to work with the other two sister Lutheran Churches and the
independent state of Papua New Guinea as equal partners in development. We believe that
the churches are in a better position to understand the problems of rural people than the
government which is based away from the ordinary people and claims to represent its
citizens but rarely gets in touch with ordinary people in remote parts of the country.

For more information, click here to go to the MLC -PNG website.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

THE MELPA LUTHERAN CHURCH IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA (MLC-PNG)

The Melpa Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea (MLC-PNG) is an offshoot of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG). The doctrines are the same as that of the original ELC-PNG Church and the Gutnius Lutheran Church (GLC), but operate as an independent Church with its own administrative structure. It has its own Bishop (Sanangke Dole) and Ecclesiastic officials. It is presently headquartered in Mount Hagen, but has definite plans to expand to other parts of the country by opening regional and district offices in close cooperation with ELC-PNG and GLC-PNG.

The primary objective of the Church is to follow the footsteps of the great teacher, healer,
helper, redeemer, and savior in spreading the word of God so that all who believe in him
may find everlasting peace and life in Jesus Christ. Thus, a fundamental aim here is to set
out the philosophical parameters for a spiritually fulfilling and healthy living.

Our vision for the Church is threefold: (1) spiritual development; (2) social development;
and (3) maintenance of public order and harmonious human relationship. We anticipate
that over the next decades the church will grow on the basis of faith in the Lord. It is the
responsibility of pastors to train their members in a correct manner so that they become
responsible citizens. The emphasis ought to be on theological training.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said; I am the real vine, and my father is the gardener. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will become clean and bear more fruit. You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you.

Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me (John 15). The words that Jesus spoke to his disciples over 2000 years ago remain true to this day. It is therefore appropriate that we view pastors as the branches and the people as the grapes.

If pastors teach people correctly and follow the principles of the Bible, then the people will
remain strong and faithful to God. In this way the church will gain strength and grow.
The word of God and faith in God is the foundation of this church. Without faith (attaching
the branch to the vine), the church has no future. Believing in God is important, but it is
also necessary to proclaim that Jesus is Lord and to announce the Good News to everyone.
The message to Christians can be found in the first letter of Peter:

But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, and God’s own
people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of
darkness into his own marvelous light. At one time you were not God’s people,
but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God’s mercy, but now
you have received his mercy (I Peter 2:9-10).

As this message indicates, Christians must take heed of advice from the Bible whilst at the
same time announce to the world that God has done great things for them.
Our vision for the future is that the church will grow in strength so that all our programs
can run successfully. It is our greatest desire that missionaries from this Church may oneday
witness for God in other countries. As the scripture says:

Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in
the name of the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to obey
everything I have commanded you.

Our greatest desire is to work with the other two sister Lutheran Churches and the
independent state of Papua New Guinea as equal partners in development. We believe that
the churches are in a better position to understand the problems of rural people than the
government which is based away from the ordinary people and claims to represent its
citizens but rarely gets in touch with ordinary people in remote parts of the country.

For more information, click here to go to the MLC -PNG website.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

THE MELPA LUTHERAN CHURCH IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA (MLC-PNG)

The Melpa Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea (MLC-PNG) is an offshoot of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG). The doctrines are the same as that of the original ELC-PNG Church and the Gutnius Lutheran Church (GLC), but operate as an independent Church with its own administrative structure. It has its own Bishop (Sanangke Dole) and Ecclesiastic officials. It is presently headquartered in Mount Hagen, but has definite plans to expand to other parts of the country by opening regional and district offices in close cooperation with ELC-PNG and GLC-PNG.

The primary objective of the Church is to follow the footsteps of the great teacher, healer,
helper, redeemer, and savior in spreading the word of God so that all who believe in him
may find everlasting peace and life in Jesus Christ. Thus, a fundamental aim here is to set
out the philosophical parameters for a spiritually fulfilling and healthy living.

Our vision for the Church is threefold: (1) spiritual development; (2) social development;
and (3) maintenance of public order and harmonious human relationship. We anticipate
that over the next decades the church will grow on the basis of faith in the Lord. It is the
responsibility of pastors to train their members in a correct manner so that they become
responsible citizens. The emphasis ought to be on theological training.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said; I am the real vine, and my father is the gardener. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will become clean and bear more fruit. You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you.

Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me (John 15). The words that Jesus spoke to his disciples over 2000 years ago remain true to this day. It is therefore appropriate that we view pastors as the branches and the people as the grapes.

If pastors teach people correctly and follow the principles of the Bible, then the people will
remain strong and faithful to God. In this way the church will gain strength and grow.
The word of God and faith in God is the foundation of this church. Without faith (attaching
the branch to the vine), the church has no future. Believing in God is important, but it is
also necessary to proclaim that Jesus is Lord and to announce the Good News to everyone.
The message to Christians can be found in the first letter of Peter:

But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, and God’s own
people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of
darkness into his own marvelous light. At one time you were not God’s people,
but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God’s mercy, but now
you have received his mercy (I Peter 2:9-10).

As this message indicates, Christians must take heed of advice from the Bible whilst at the
same time announce to the world that God has done great things for them.
Our vision for the future is that the church will grow in strength so that all our programs
can run successfully. It is our greatest desire that missionaries from this Church may oneday
witness for God in other countries. As the scripture says:

Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in
the name of the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to obey
everything I have commanded you.

Our greatest desire is to work with the other two sister Lutheran Churches and the
independent state of Papua New Guinea as equal partners in development. We believe that
the churches are in a better position to understand the problems of rural people than the
government which is based away from the ordinary people and claims to represent its
citizens but rarely gets in touch with ordinary people in remote parts of the country.

For more information, click here to go to the MLC -PNG website.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Melpa Church invests in David

By LUCY KAPI
In 2001 the Melpa Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea (MLC-PNG) in Western Highlands province decided to support David Ketepa Ulg to do further studies in the United States.
David, 32 is from Minimp village in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
David's parents were committed members of the MLC, and he and his two brothers and a sister were raised under strong Christian principles taught by their parents.
David completed primary and secondary education in his home province and in 1992 was selected to attend Balob Teachers College in Lae, Morobe province where he graduated with a Diploma in Teaching in 1994.
He taught for six years. In 2000 he decided to become more involved with church activities, committing himself to planning, worship, stewardship and preaching.
The church was confident that sending him for studies overseas would equip him with new skills and knowledge that would benefit the church in future.
The MLC recommended David for a scholarship in the US to the German Lutheran churches in Hannover, Germany.
The trip was made possible in Aug 2001 with all expenses for the first four years of his study at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, USA to be paid by these churches in Germany.
David's graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Financial Management in 2005 from the college.
He currently is living and working in Savannah, Georgia, US and working part-time as a financial analyst as well as taking classes for his Masters in Business Management (MBA).
Describing the experience of living in one of the world's wealthiest countries, David said all material things that one needs is here.
"The US economy works 24-hours a day seven-days a week. The only hard work is putting the food into your mouth but everything else; you can sit in your room using the computer.
"Technology plays a vital role here and people sit back using the comforts of the internet."
His main problem is being homesick.
"I miss my family, friends, and PNG dishes and of course my sweet home Mount Hagen - as they always say home is where your heart is!"
David is thankful that there is a programme for international students known as the "host family".
Through this programme the college arranged with the Dyste family to take David into their family.
His host dad Pastor Jerry Dyste is a retired pastor in the Lutheran Church. His wife, Sonja, retired in 2004 as a librarian from the Waldorf College.
He described the Dystes as caring and loving people who provided the best for him.
The couple have two children, James, 38, Melanie, 45 and three grand children.
"They came and picked me up for places to visit, invited me for dinner, took me out to church, and provided accommodation for me during the long school holidays.
"They helped me financially too for my books, personal expenses and other stuff that I needed during the course of my studies."
He recalled some of the best times with the Dystes were during Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving Day.
"The very fun part comes during Thanksgiving Day - where we cook huge turkeys and all kinds of food to celebrate this with all other family members, their children and grand children.
"During this time, we have many games to play and lots of stories to tell and of course, I do more storytelling for them about how life is like in PNG which they are so interested in hearing."
Other activities David is involved in include the Toastmasters meeting to learn public speaking and English improvement skills, the men's choir at the Evangelical Lutheran church of Ascension, and teaching at Sunday school.
David attributes his success to God and people at the MLC that worked to make this dream come true.
"After living, working and studying here for seven years, I have broadened my knowledge and acquired a lot of skills that I think I can utilize within the MLC.
He thanked his family and friends for their support and prayers.
To the young men and women who want to continue further studies, his advice is "to look beyond the horizon for opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills".
Education, he says does not end when one is considered a dropout or when working for a living.
"Always have hope and tell yourself that you can do it but most importantly, have constant relationship with God and show Him what you need and like to do in life. He will show you awesome and marvelous things and take you to places where you knew nothing about."

Melpa Church invests in David

By LUCY KAPI
In 2001 the Melpa Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea (MLC-PNG) in Western Highlands province decided to support David Ketepa Ulg to do further studies in the United States.
David, 32 is from Minimp village in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
David's parents were committed members of the MLC, and he and his two brothers and a sister were raised under strong Christian principles taught by their parents.
David completed primary and secondary education in his home province and in 1992 was selected to attend Balob Teachers College in Lae, Morobe province where he graduated with a Diploma in Teaching in 1994.
He taught for six years. In 2000 he decided to become more involved with church activities, committing himself to planning, worship, stewardship and preaching.
The church was confident that sending him for studies overseas would equip him with new skills and knowledge that would benefit the church in future.
The MLC recommended David for a scholarship in the US to the German Lutheran churches in Hannover, Germany.
The trip was made possible in Aug 2001 with all expenses for the first four years of his study at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, USA to be paid by these churches in Germany.
David's graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Financial Management in 2005 from the college.
He currently is living and working in Savannah, Georgia, US and working part-time as a financial analyst as well as taking classes for his Masters in Business Management (MBA).
Describing the experience of living in one of the world's wealthiest countries, David said all material things that one needs is here.
"The US economy works 24-hours a day seven-days a week. The only hard work is putting the food into your mouth but everything else; you can sit in your room using the computer.
"Technology plays a vital role here and people sit back using the comforts of the internet."
His main problem is being homesick.
"I miss my family, friends, and PNG dishes and of course my sweet home Mount Hagen - as they always say home is where your heart is!"
David is thankful that there is a programme for international students known as the "host family".
Through this programme the college arranged with the Dyste family to take David into their family.
His host dad Pastor Jerry Dyste is a retired pastor in the Lutheran Church. His wife, Sonja, retired in 2004 as a librarian from the Waldorf College.
He described the Dystes as caring and loving people who provided the best for him.
The couple have two children, James, 38, Melanie, 45 and three grand children.
"They came and picked me up for places to visit, invited me for dinner, took me out to church, and provided accommodation for me during the long school holidays.
"They helped me financially too for my books, personal expenses and other stuff that I needed during the course of my studies."
He recalled some of the best times with the Dystes were during Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving Day.
"The very fun part comes during Thanksgiving Day - where we cook huge turkeys and all kinds of food to celebrate this with all other family members, their children and grand children.
"During this time, we have many games to play and lots of stories to tell and of course, I do more storytelling for them about how life is like in PNG which they are so interested in hearing."
Other activities David is involved in include the Toastmasters meeting to learn public speaking and English improvement skills, the men's choir at the Evangelical Lutheran church of Ascension, and teaching at Sunday school.
David attributes his success to God and people at the MLC that worked to make this dream come true.
"After living, working and studying here for seven years, I have broadened my knowledge and acquired a lot of skills that I think I can utilize within the MLC.
He thanked his family and friends for their support and prayers.
To the young men and women who want to continue further studies, his advice is "to look beyond the horizon for opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills".
Education, he says does not end when one is considered a dropout or when working for a living.
"Always have hope and tell yourself that you can do it but most importantly, have constant relationship with God and show Him what you need and like to do in life. He will show you awesome and marvelous things and take you to places where you knew nothing about."