Culture shock is very real, and it has smacked us in the face. It is difficult to describe, but the closest comparison I can find is the grieving process after the death of a loved one. There is a weight to it, a disorientation that settles in the heart and mind, and a realization that things are not as we once understood them to be.
First came denial. We quickly learned that our way of reasoning does not hold the same weight here. Things that seemed obvious, orderly, and right to us are not viewed the same way in this place. Scripture comes to mind: “…but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21 KJV). There is a sobering awareness that truth, though constant, is often clouded by deeply rooted beliefs and practices.
Second came anger. It is hard not to feel it when we witness behaviors that seem so clearly wrong, yet are culturally accepted. There are times when justice appears absent, and people act without accountability. It echoes the words, “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25 KJV). This stage tests the heart, forcing us to confront not only what we see around us, but what resides within us.
Then comes sadness and, at times, a sense of hopelessness. The weight of it all can feel overwhelming. Yet even in this, we are reminded that the ultimate solution is not found in human systems, but in the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” (Romans 8:22 KJV). This world is broken, and no place on earth is exempt from that reality.
These feelings are real and natural. They are part of the process, something we must go through. We cannot go around it, over it, or under it—but through it. And by the grace of God, we will.
In the midst of these challenges, the Lord continues to show His goodness. This week, I hired a Land Cruiser and traveled back to a remote area of Jimi with two other preachers. When we arrived, about 25 people were waiting to hear the gospel. Many had walked one to three hours out of the bush just for the opportunity to listen. They had never heard how they could know for sure they were going to heaven.
Though missionaries in the past had established schools, hospitals, and helped maintain roads, the message they received was that they had to be good to enter heaven. That day, they heard the true gospel. The law revealed their sin, and they heard of Jesus Christ shedding His blood to pay their sin debt. Nine people raised their hands for salvation and were later counseled in small groups by national pastors, who showed them from the Bible how they could know they were saved. I am mindful of the reality of false professions, so I plan to follow up with them. There is a clear hunger for the Word of God. The current plan is to send a pastor weekly, rotating men from independent Baptist churches, and once a month I will bring them together for fellowship and shared ministry.
We also held our third meeting in Nebilyer, in a family’s kunai cook house. Around 30 people attended. I preached on the love of God using John 3:16. Ten children raised their hands for salvation. After counseling, we believe five showed genuine conviction, and two trusted Christ as Saviour and prayed to be saved. We will continue to follow up with the others, trusting that God knows their hearts and their needs.
Please be in prayer for these works. The Lord is drawing people to Himself and helping them grow spiritually.
On the home front, I have been busy with administrative work at the mission house, working to bring things up to standard. We also enjoyed some sweet fellowship with friends who stopped by, which was a great encouragement. Additionally, we picked up the Sumalpong family from the airport and spent some time getting to know them before they continued on to Pangia. They are on a survey trip and come from a church in the Philippines.
Theresa and Destany have also been feeling the weight of culture shock and the stresses of life here in Papua New Guinea. Still, we are hopeful and committed to working through this process in a healthy, God-honoring way.
Tomorrow, I will teach my final Sunday school lesson on the “7 Mysteries of Paul” at Temple Baptist Church. Afterward, I plan to take a day or two with the family for some much-needed rest. It is true—we are busy in the Lord’s work—but we are also learning the importance of balance between family, ministry, and personal rest, all while adapting to a new culture and language.
Please continue to pray for the Lord’s guidance in all of this.
CPR Missions 