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.
