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 31st 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, 20th 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.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Love the article Matt! I really appreciate your heart and desire for these kids. I am trying to figure out ways I can sell my PNG photos and send the money to help Aunty Rosa and these wonderful children. I am also toying with creating a book of photos from PNG. Last week I was contacted by a company who used one of my images without permission. They said sorry and decided to send me $500US. Once the money arrives I will be sending it to you all. God is good and he will provide. Thanks for being a blessing to others. I will do what I can to bring in more money from my photos.