Recently, your prayers carried us into a remote village in Papua New Guinea – and into something far bigger than we anticipated. We are deeply grateful for your prayerful support and excited to share how God moved in ways that surprised us all.
“The people were delighted when he said that God still loves – and can use – people from out-of-the-way places.”
Not too long ago, we had the most amazing opportunity to experience the reality of life in a village in PNG. Two former students of Kenneth, Jacob and Jennifer, had invited us to go. Jennifer had been very concerned before we left, that conditions would be too difficult for people as old as us. Still, we headed with them into the great blue yonder. We originally expected it would just be a ‘visit to a village,’ but then we were told there was to be a missions conference (it was a gathering to raise support for the couple) and people from several villages in the area would be there. Then we were told it would be nice if Kenneth spoke for ten minutes while we were at the conference. Next, he was told that he would be the keynote speaker for two of the sessions.
Our experience
Despite the public speaking, we’re very glad that we went. We had no idea how much our presence would mean to the villagers. Apparently, no missionaries had visited since the last ones left many decades ago, and the people were feeling isolated and forgotten. As we climbed out of the bus, we were surrounded by weeping women who seemed overcome. Even the local pastor sobbed as he hugged Kenneth. There was a lot of emotion throughout the three days we were there, but good emotion. Jacob and Jennifer told us that our arrival was greatly reassuring to the village that CLTC (Christian Leaders Training College) was a good place. To have leadership come with Jacob and Jennifer has demonstrated a level of confidence in them.
We stayed in a western-style wooden house about 30 minutes away by bus (possibly 10 km; it was slow going). They put on a generator especially for us so that each evening we would have a few hours of electricity. And they put it on for us in the morning, so that we wouldn’t sleep past 6 am. The house was basic, but it was good enough for the cockroaches. The houses of the people were more basic; walls made like woven mats, with a thatched roof and one room with a sleeping area to the side, and probably a kitchen outside.
We received a tremendous welcome. The Girls’ Brigade had been practising, and sang and danced us into the conference area. It was a big canvas, with a raised platform at the front. A music group of young men played during the times of praise and worship, with keyboard and guitars to accompany the enthusiastic singing of the congregation.
Their response
Kenneth’s first talk was about what led him into missions, and the second explained what it is like being a missionary, and how people back home can be involved. He talked of the ways people can pray for their missionaries before, during, and after their ministry. He mentioned he came from a town a long way from all the cities of significance in New Zealand, and the people were delighted when he said that God still loves – and can use – people from out-of-the-way places. The first session lasted from 10:30am until 1:30pm. The next day it was raining, so people arrived late. We went to see the local Prayer Mountain on the way to the conference, climbing up to pray for the area, and so we arrived about noon. The singing had already been going for about an hour. Then there were a lot of tributes to Jacob and Jennifer, and people brought lots of gifts. Most brought fruit and vegetables, which were sold off and the money used towards school fees, and others gave donations of money. They raised about 7000 kina (about NZ$2700), which delighted everybody. Finally, Kenneth gave his talk. People told Jacob and Jennifer how much the talks challenged them, and Jacob was really delighted with the messages. At the end people who had been spoken to by God during the talks were encouraged to go forward, and a number of young people did so. Praise God! After five hours it was time to head home.
It was too late to go back to CLTC, so we spent another night with the cockroaches.
Please pray
So, far from it being just an ‘interesting cultural experience’, our visit became something quite different. We praise and thank our great God for this amazing opportunity and are praying that the momentum gained during our time there would continue, and that support for missions, and for Jacob and Jennifer, would continue to grow.
Please pray for the villagers with their renewed interest in missions, and for those touched by the Spirit of God during the weekend. Pray especially for Pastor Gibson, who has a vision to unite the communities in praying for local evangelism and for missions at the ‘Prayer Mountain’.
Pray for us back at CLTC. Kenneth has another busy workload; he feels very underqualified to teach one of the subjects to B.Th. (Bachelor of Theology) students. Jane will have a big time commitment at the library until a new senior librarian is appointed and takes up that position.
Thank you.
Kenneth and Jane
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