We vs. The World

Challenges are an endless part of every human life. The daily struggle is constant. This is also true for us, who live in the beautiful Papuan highlands. The stunning nature constantly brings us closer and reminds us of the immense power of the Creator of life.

How can we not be grateful? It rains almost every day, giving us enough clean water for our daily needs at home. The sun, which only shines for a few hours a day, is enough to meet our home’s electricity needs. Waking up in the morning is greeted by a refreshing breeze, with temperatures dropping to 5-6°C. It feels like living in a snowy country, when in reality we live at the foot of Mount Carstensz, which is famous for its eternal snow. Food is all around the house, from sweet potatoes as a staple, to cooking spices, and a variety of vegetables and fruits that grow lush in the yard. Fresh fish is available in the pond behind the house. Chickens also breed well, helping to fulfil the family’s protein needs. Our family’s nutritional needs are met with organic food of guaranteed quality, because it is grown, cared for, and nurtured by our own hands.

Nature provides for our family’s basic needs. As time passes, abundant blessings and grace fill our days. The Owner of life has entrusted us with children who are present in our family. They bring with them a grace and joy that fills our days with laughter and cheer.

The story of our family unfolds like a tapestry woven with threads of both wonder and hardship. Living in the heart of the Papuan highlands is akin to dwelling at the edge of the world, far removed from the golden glow of city lights and the hum of urban convenience. Here, every sunrise is a curtain lifting on an untouched stage, where the green expanse of valleys and mist-draped mountains paint the landscape with strokes of wild beauty. The air carries the fragrance of damp earth and blossoming foliage, so vivid that each breath seems to draw the essence of nature itself into our bodies. Birdsong and the rush of a distant river replace the relentless thrum of traffic—a symphony that serenades us every morning.

Life in the highlands demands resilience. The absence of bustling markets and supermarkets means our hands become both harvesters and nurturers. Senses must be sharpen. Eyes scan for ripe fruits in the garden, ears catch the subtle splash of fish in the pond, noses memorize the scent of freshly turned soil. The simplicity is profound, yet it is laced with daily challenges. Unlike the city, where light is summoned with the flick of a switch and water flows with abundance, here, every resource is a gift bestowed by the mountain’s moods and the sky’s generosity. The rain, sometimes gentle and sometimes relentless, sustains us with water, while the fleeting sun teases us with only a few precious hours of warmth and saving solar energy.

Yet, this closeness to nature is a double-edged sword. We find joy and gratitude in thriving gardens and self-raised livestock, in the laughter of children echoing across open fields. Our hearts swell with pride, knowing that every meal is a testament to our labour and love. But beneath this gratitude lies an ever-present longing—a silent ache born of what cannot be found in the wilderness. The city offers a world of convenience at one’s fingertips: paved roads, endless shops, swift healthcare, and above all, schools that promise the future for our children. Here in the highlands, such opportunities are rare as precious diamond, and the absence of proper educational facilities weighs heavily on our minds.

There is no smell of chalk dust or the murmur of classmates in a well-lit classroom. Our children’s aspirations, as vast as the sky above Carstensz, often clash with the limits of what is available. As parents, our hope is a flickering lantern, one we guard against the winds of uncertainty. We cherish the closeness of our family, the bond forged from shared struggle and mutual care, but we worry that the distance from the city might become a barrier too high for our children’s dreams to climb.

In this wilderness, every day is a balance—a dance between gratitude for what we have and yearning for what we lack. The highlands embrace us with their breathtaking vistas and generous yields, yet remind us, with every sunrise and sunset, of the roads less travelled, and the chances we must weigh for the sake of those we love most.

But above all, we do not write this as a complaint about the limitations and hardships we face. We write it as a form of gratitude, because the Owner of life always empowers, gives strength, and pours His blessings on us. This writing is just a reminder of the struggle we live out, and work for with joy as we face the world.

“We vs. World” is a struggle against ego, against wants over needs, against the offer of a safe life in the city, and against some life principles that differ from others. It’s a struggle for us as parents to provide for our children’s needs so that they can become what they aspire to be. To become people who bring great benefit to others, to become the best version of themselves so that they are always a channel of blessing wherever they go, are, and meet others.

This is a prayer of gratitude, a memory, a hope, and something that we, as parents and children, fight for together in this transient world.

Kreator : Vidya D’CharV