Weekly Update #7
An amazing thing has been happening. As the days go by, and the more I talk with people in the mission house and out on the streets about the Lord, I can literally feel my understanding of Tok Pisin opening up. The Lord has given me the ability to lead people to Christ in another language; however, leading them to the grocery store can still be quite the challenge.
Theresa has begun to understand and speak the language as well, though we still have a ways to go. The mission home staff has been a tremendous help to us in this area. They have tolerated much babbling.
Destany had a playdate with Missionary Joshua Seilala’s children, and they had such a fun time. This family are missionaries from—and to—the people of Papua New Guinea. We know them from Mt. Hagen Baptist Temple.
The mission home is operating smoothly. I’m becoming more comfortable with the day-to-day operations. This week brought many tedious tasks, but nothing unmanageable.
Missionary Wayne Fair and his travel partner, Isaac, stayed at the mission home for a few days. It was honor to meet them and spend time with them. Mr. Fair had been on the mission field of Papua New Guinea for 30 years. Recently, the Lord gave him liberty to return to the United Stated and continue serving there. He took my family and I to see a nice resort called Rondon Ridge that overlooked the city of Mt. Hagen. Afterwards, we had lunch at The Squash Club where he told many stories of his years on the field. Later, we heard him preach at the Mt. Hagen Baptist Temple. It was a bittersweet time in his life, as the next day he left Mt. Hagen for the last time.
We also met returning missionaries, Doug and Ramona Shields and Jonathan and Amy Taylor. We had a good time of fellowship.
I am becoming more comfortable going out onto the streets in front of the mission home to share the gospel in small groups or one-on-one. I remain very vigilant, as some people can be quite unpredictable. Many people in Papua New Guinea do not live according to Western norms, and appearances can be deceiving despite modern clothing and accessories. I am learning to constantly remind myself not to try to change the culture, but simply to preach the good news of Jesus Christ so that some might be saved.
This week, Mrs. Cundi, a teacher on the Pangia Mission Station, hosted an ACE event for teachers at the Mount Hagen Missionary Home. Many of the Pangia school staff attended, and it was a true joy to see them again. This group of people is like family to us. Ms. Cundi and a few others asked for a copy of our book, CPR: The Biblical Guide to Soul Winning. Please pray that the Lord will use this booklet to help others learn and teach the art of soul winning.
One day, I was witnessing to an older man on the front steps. I could tell he was trying to understand the gospel, but he was very confused because a Lutheran priest had sprinkled him with water as a small child and declared him saved. He came under conviction and was absolutely terrified of going to hell. Our friend Judy came out and helped me, and she ultimately led him to the Lord. After he got saved and the Lord lifted his burden, the man said, “Tingting bilong mi i stret na klia…” or, “my thinking is clear.”
Noel, a teacher from Pangia, is helping us with final edits on a gospel tract. Theresa and I are currently working on two. Once completed, we will have many printed in Tok Pisin and will make them available on MomentsWithTheBook.com. We will also make a pointed effort to distribute thousands throughout Mt. Hagen.
I think I’ve found a system that works. I go out on the sidewalk where dozens of people pass by. When I gesture to offer someone a gospel tract, they gladly run over to take one. I begin talking with them, and within minutes a small crowd gathers. From that crowd, one or two will be drawn by the Lord, while many others simply stand and listen with blank stares. After the gospel is presented, I take those who are under conviction or have questions aside and sit with them on the front steps of the mission house, showing them Bible verses in both English and Tok Pisin. I am starting to see familiar faces and am becoming known; however, many passersby come from other villages and even other provinces.
This week, we have had five (5) people profess faith in Jesus Christ. Each person is invited to “story”, or talk about the Bible one-on-one. I express the importance of understanding the Apostle Paul’s blood gospel and the importance of learning the Bible for themselves. I avoid discussing denominations because all this country has is church; however, very few church goers are saved.
Regarding the CPR Missions YouTube and TikTok platforms, I have put those on hold for now- unless I’m able to make on in English. I will most likely need to create an entirely new account geared toward the people of Papua New Guinea who speak Tok Pisin. If the Lord opens that door, I want to be able to produce quality content, which means I need to speak the language more fluently. Still, I hope to build a platform here as well. Please be in prayer about this and for the direction the Lord would have us go, in His timing.
For now, I believe we are exactly where the Lord would have us to be and we are doing exactly the work he’d have us do.
CPR Missions 