This footage was taken over a year ago when traveling to Goroka from Mt Hagen on a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) on the Highlands Highway. It is missing a few things like people chewing betel nut and spitting, smoking, being stopped to pay road tax (someone else did), and the amazing scenery. I had fun making this video and one scene made me laugh a lot. But overall I hope it gives some insight what it is like traveling for people by road in PNG, if there is a road.

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The MAF ministry team’s activity has continued a little throughout the year and now has increased the last few months. The team has consisted five of us, three nationals and two expats. With some programs other MAF staffs have joined the team. The villages we have been serving can range from churches in Mt Hagen, to villages out bush outside of Hagen and very remote villages only accessible by air. The programs range from End of the Spear movie (forgiveness – a big issue in PNG), HIV/AIDS awareness training (biblical based, not sissy based like some organisations – again a big issue in PNG, especially in the Western Highlands), Jesus film and others. We plan and organise the programs during the week at work during our break time.

1. Andakapla Church

I have been struggling with tiredness the last few months, especially with studying. Now that I am having a break from studying, it does free me up. But I still have been tired and wanting a break. So with this it has been a battle to go out to minister to people on a Friday or weekend. To get home from work and leave promptly or going straight from work. At the moment we have four weekends booked out of five and two of them being all weekend programs. We are half way through this schedule. But despite how hard it can be sometimes to go out. Once I am there it is such a blessing to be there and to be with these people, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. If I wasn’t there, I would be missing out what God wants to do there. Let alone a great opportunity to encourage the believers and reach out to the community. The other week God was reminding me and encouraging me of the great importance of the Great Commission. You would think that being a missionary in a third world country, that you wouldn’t need reminding of this. But just as I needed constant reminding in Australia, so do I in PNG. It is easy to become focused on other things, yourself and what needs you have, prioritise other things. By this losing focus on what is truly important.

2. Sharing my testimony @ Mt Hagen Four Square Church

A few of the places we have visited the past two weeks have been villages outside of Hagen. The first one being Andakapla Church which is located outside of town several km’s from Newtown. It is well known for harboring criminals (‘rascals’) in the community, some of whom have stolen MAF vehicles in the past. It was refreshing just to be out in a village in the bush. We had a very good reception by the people there, the building was over flowing. That night after a time of worship, we introduced the team, did MAF awareness (which was so important for the people to understand) and showed Indescribable, plus a talk. For the believers there they were really blown away to see how big God really is. Two men recommitted their lives to Christ and one young man gave his life to Christ. I was able to talk to the young man afterwards (all in Tok Pisin) about the gospel and encourage him. It was amazing to see God at work in his life and others.

3. Kids @ Kenta Lutheran Church

Last Friday we ventured out to Kenta Lutheran Church which is past the airport. As we had more people coming, we had two vehicles. On arrival there were kids running out of the bushes all over the place. The church had written an invitation to us this time last year to come out and minister to them. They had waited almost 12 months for us to come out. The church building was quite small. So for the first time since I have been involved we set up the equipment outside under the stars and had open air cinema. We waited till 1930 to start, even though the place wasn’t full. I was able to entertain the kids by taking photos and showing them their photo on the little camera LCD screen. This time round they handed straight over to us to start. Again we introduced ourselves, did MAF awareness and for the first time for the ministry team showed the Jesus film in Tok Pisin, which included a good gospel talk by Timon. It did start to rain during the movie, the wet season is starting here, but we pushed on. After packing up, saying goodbye, dropping people off home, I drove home (joking with the guys if we will stop at McDonald’s on the way home).

4. Watching the Jesus film in Tok Pisin

It is a huge blessing and privelege to be part of this ministry and to see God at work in these communities. We have an all weekend program this weekend and despite being tired I am looking forward to it and a break.

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Indonesian Photo's

Photo's from nine night holiday in Papua, Indonesia back in July 2009

114 Photos

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New newsletter is finished, always a relief to get it done. It’s very hard to sum up four months in two pages. I am trying to share more in the newsletters, rather than just events. It is work in progress and may have to go back to two monthly newsletters. You can get it here.

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1. After the flight

At the end of September we started a C check on MFU. We were given three and a half weeks to complete the check and have the aircraft ready for service. To me it seemed like not enough time, as there was a lot of inspections called up, 1000, 1500 and 3000 hourly inspections, let alone defects. But in the end we were able to have the check done in time, even though we had to await some parts. MFU is the oldest aircraft in our fleet and out of our Twin Otters at forty two years old, that is quite old for an aircraft.  The three Twin Otter’s we have operating in PNG are maintenance intensive, in time and cost. They do require a lot of time and work. But I really like the Otter, it’s performance and what it can do. There is currently nothing out there that can perform with the Twin Otter for the work MAF does in PNG (Except for the new 400 series which is in the process of certification).

2. Kalex & Stanley up the back

The other week after some overtime, MFU was ready for it’s return to service flight. An aircraft requires a check flight after any maintenance that affects the flight characteristics of the aircraft and one is normally done after a C check, especially as a large amount of work is done. I had never flown on one before and at the very last minute I got on with a few of the guys. People always talk of them being a bit wild and occasionally people needing a sick bag. So I was quite looking forward to it. We took off more steeply than normal, quite steep. and gained a lot of altitude. During the check flight the pilots go through a set of checks. Some being stalls, tight and steep banking turns  etc. But the one thing I enjoyed the most was pulling positive 2G’s in these turns. Something that I have not experienced before in a plane, two times my body weight pulling down, especially on my face. And the other one being negative G (1G) so you lift up, I did want to undo my seat belt, but was instructed not to. So the return to service flight was a lot of fun. But it was a real encouragement to see the aircraft serviceable and flying.

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Several months ago Aunty Rosa, our flight operations admin assist, was sharing with me about her new ministry and the stories from this. Hearing her stories of these children was quite heavy and I battled to control my emotions. I was really cut to the heart and moved by what she shared. As you are aware of people in PNG living in poverty, but with the wantok system, you don’t often think of or hear of children and women being completely abandoned. Since then I have tried to assist her starting her ministry. By sharing part of her story I hope to bring awareness to her ministry and the great need there is amongst this community. And the great encouragement Aunty Rosa is serving and reaching people with little her family has, despite the great need and trusting in the Lord with each step (photos courtesy of Dave Schreier).

1. Aunty Rosa

Bible Faith Outreach by Aunty Rosa 24/09/09 (abbreviated)

The Call

“In August 1999 we (The Kepo family) moved to the current location called, New Town area of Mt Hagen Town. The area is well known of its criminal activities, illicit markets of home-made brew (beer) and marijuana together with other unlawful events.

When we moved in there, we witnessed many raped victims, orphans, abused and abandoned due to deaths by HIV and other similar diseases. Some were victims of rapes with fatherless children.

In the last five years till the time we started the orphanage in May 09, The Lord challenged us with His Words in Matt 25:34 – 46. Being Christians and doing nothing about it when we saw them naked – (without clothes or only had the one on them but very dirty due to no extra clothes to wear); in prison – (prison in poverty); hungry – (destitute for food); The voice inside of me said continuously, ‘Do you care as much as I care for you? Can you share and tell them of My Love, Joy, Mercies and remind them of My Faithfulness? How much longer will you delay? Have you realized how many have died without hope?’

2. Their compound being used to feed and teach the children

However, I always gave excuses due to financial difficulties, not enough education, no vehicle to move around from one end of the town to the other for church and other reasons. And then, His Word from Isaiah 55:8-9 ‘His thoughts and ways are higher than ours’ came to me and I realised that even though I didn’t have the resources for this work, He could and will provide.

Finally, on a cold Monday morning, 26th of May, this year, amazingly, The Holy Spirit came upon me so mightily and witnessed that; I should not delay any further but start the orphanage. God allowed a situation as a confirmation of the work. As I was walking towards the pickup point for work, I noticed a half dressed little boy, walking bare foot, together with an elderly woman, just a few steps ahead of me. We exchanged greetings and during the brief conversation while walking along, she mentioned that, this little boy was found in a dumping area – (when he was a baby). So she picked him up and nursed him up till now he is 6 years old but malnourished.

As I looked on them, The Lord spoke to me and said, ‘You know where you came from – Shouldn’t you want to show the same love and care I had for you and how I have brought you up?’ – (Aunty Rosa’s testimony is not included in this story – as a child she would of ended up in the same position if God had not intervened)

3. Ben, Eric & Matthew

From there on, I said to myself, away with the excuses in the past, and today it’s going to be taking the risk of faith to look after these children. Lord, I will do what you have asked me do right now. So I only had .60t (30 cents AU) so I gave to Fabien and his mother for breakfast. There are a lot of cases like these and far worse ones. The image of the little boy and the woman didn’t go away from my mind the whole day, and I was in tears. Then, the scenario of others which I had seen through the years also came rushing into my mind like slides in that short time. Then a remorseful feeling took all over me, that I had done little or nothing at all, for the last ten years. As a result of my delay and excuses, many died without hope, others in prison due to stealing, lying, gambling, etc.. Others are abused and deprived of the hope in living. Honestly, this saddened my heart on that day.

Like a scroll, God showed the road of life I had already travelled since 1994. Through my years of service with the church children, many were lead to Christ and still serving God. They are in the Universities, Colleges, and even becoming Teachers in the Christian schools. So there is no exception working with these unprivileged orphans, abandoned, abused and rejected children to help them take the similar steps in the path of life ahead of them. The call came much stronger and stronger, so we said “YES LORD, SEND US FOR YOUR USE TO THE LOST”. My husband had the same confirmation, we are glad to work together with the orphans and unprivileged children. As a result, Bible Faith Outreach came into existence.”

Purpose of the step of faith

“As Christians, we are obligated to show the same love and care God shows to us. We desire to be part of God’s mission to reach out and give hope to the hopeless. The Children are considered as Precious Jewels for God’s Kingdom, and we are obliged to minister to them in their needs as God provides through His People. ”

4. The children gathering before a meal, Aunty Rosa teaches them beforehand

Progress

“The moment when we said, ‘Yes Lord, send us’, God started bringing His people from MAF to help us with one purpose, to give hope to these children. These special people had hearts to give. I could see God speaking through them to confirm the calling.

Not long, food, clothes, and money, rolls of fabric, towels, buckets, soap and children’s story books started coming in. It was all coming in together comfortably that, it was the perfect timing of God for this mission to commence and we made ourselves available for His Purpose to be fulfilled.

5. Banded together as a family

We started feeding 10 children on the first Saturday 31^st May. The number grew rapidly in the weeks. We have 150 children coming and going. In August, we saw the need and decided to feed three days a week. Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays. The number is increasing.

In the last couple of weeks, we have had four young girls aged 16-25 walk into the Saturday Scheduled Feeding time. They have continued coming and on Sunday, 20^th of September, they committed their life to Christ. I know and feel they have a story to tell me, but are yet to share. They seem to be ashamed from whatever they have experienced. Followed by that, young boys aged 14-16 came in too. They are all orphans, abused and rejected, living with someone else and upon hearing of the orphanage they came. They are all now part of this big family.

The Children are so blessed that they want to do everything for us too! What a unspeakable joy to see them change little by little in their wild behaviour. Yes, they will be “…..OAKS of RIGHTEOUS” as His Word says, in His Perfect timing! Now they love coming to church and Sunday school and learning to know right from wrong. Most of the children are learning to pray.

6. Current housing for some boys

During the last three consecutive Sundays, The Good Lord has brought Blessings! The children committed their lives to God. Fifty four went to church with us and 30 of them committed their lives to Christ. One of the abused orphans, who has two babies, aged 2 and the other 1 & 6 months old came asking to be baptised. I spoke to her about the doctrine of baptism. God is moving in the orphanage at the moment and it is a joy to witness that… This is our whole heart’s desire and purpose of this outreach ministry. “

Long Term Plan

• We will have pidgin literacy class for older children for them to learn to read The Pidgin Bible. The children aged 4-12 will have normal classes in English. A Christian School with its existing curriculum with churches but in our orphanage. When the older ones identify numbers and alphabets, they will be taught life skills as shown in our “Goal and Vision” statement – sewing, cooking, carpentry, mechanic and many others as The Lord provides;
• A Property to build a big orphanage to cater for all of them;
• A Board to be in place;
• The children will be taught from The Bible which is God’s Word. The teaching will teach for practical living. I am sure they will know the purpose and the reason why they ever existed when they continue in the Word of God. Then be ready to meet Him when He comes for His Chosen Ones.

7. Martin

Urgent Needs

• We need funds to feed, clothe, and provide medication and literacy, etc.
• A van/bus long deck truck to transport children to and from church while waiting for funds for our new property, when we build a Chapel in the property.
• Government Approval for the Ministry still pending with IPA in Port Moresby. Pray that it will be come through soon!.
• Pray for us for Wisdom, Strength and God’s Presence

Community Support

“The community supports morally and in security. The children are well protected in the neighbourhood and town as well.

However, there is no support of food, clothing and money due to their own needs. It’s hard to give out, because they are all struggling to live to make their ends meet. This is a long way off idea for neighbours and the community.

My Church Missions Dept helps with a bag of rice fortnightly and The Church Sunday School supports with clothes, especially from the children who attend Sunday school.”

Thank you and God bless you accordingly

With much prayer and Christian love,

Aunty Rosa & Uncle Jiwa

For the Orphans and Unprivileged

8. Aunty Rosa & Uncle Jiwa with the kids

If you would like to support Bible Faith Outreach, please do not hesitate to contact me (Matt). Whether it is receiving prayer updates and praying for the children and ministry, or financial donations or physical gifts.

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Here are some more photo’s of the children, youth and women Aunty Rosa serves. These again were taken by Dave Schreier a few months ago. A Christian photographer who visited PNG and volunteered his services to MAF. Thanks again Dave for your service and these photo’s.

Aunty Rosa's Kids

A collection of photo's of Bible Faith Outreach in Newtown, Mt Hagen PNG

33 Photos

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I had forgotten all about this footage, but recently put this together. It is from my village living experience in Dogea which is around 30-40 mins from Madang. I spent six nights in the village June 2008, which the five weeks at POC beforehand was preparing me for. It was a very interesting experience, but did have a lot of challenges, especially culturally, mainly with misunderstandings. This video was filmed one Sunday afternoon so that’s why it is so quiet in the village. Few things missing from it like the beach, their garden, where to get water etc. But hope it gives an insight into how the majority of people in remote areas live in PNG.

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