Our last trip to Papua New Guinea, in March 2015, was a very encouraging one. Three believers were baptized and we also saw good evidence of spiritual growth among the small group of believers. My first visit to that country was in 2013, but other Australian brethren have been visiting PNG for over ten years with the Gospel, especially brother Alf Grant from Conference Hall, Brisbane. For the last two years, efforts have been concentrated in a village called Erepo, in the Hela Province, as well as the surrounding towns and villages. A man named Albert was saved in that area during one of the first visits made by brethren from Brisbane, but at that time most of the work was in the Western Highlands province, approximately seven hours from Erepo. Unfortunately, the work didn't go well in the Western Highlands, and so, after much prayer and two years of waiting in the Lord, we started visiting Erepo, more regularly, where Albert lives.
Albert has been very active sharing the Gospel with his family and neighbours and the Lord has blessed his efforts with some souls being saved and also with Christians from other groups becoming interested in learning about gathering unto the Name of the Lord. However, they need a lot of help with Bible teaching and also guidance in regard to their Gospel work. They have never been in an assembly gathered unto the name of the Lord, and they are surrounded by all kinds of "churches" and organizations that bring a lot of confusion. Consequently, we often keep in contact with them over the telephone, as they always have questions and problems to share with us. We would like to go more often, so we try to do as much as possible every time we are there, helping with the Gospel, Bible teaching and advising them in regard to New Testament doctrine and other issues.
The Hela province, similarly to most of Papua New Guinea, does not have many of the facilities we are used to in other countries. Electricity is unknown to many villages, including Erepo, and sewage is not available in those remote areas. The soil is very rich, and being in the tropics it rains very often, so virtually every house has its own garden where they grow sweet potato (their main meal) and other vegetables. Tropical diseases are every where and they are a real danger to those coming from other countries. Insecurity is also a big issue, as tribal fighting is very common. Foreigners are also targeted by robbers and other criminals. But regardless of all the inconveniences, the natural beauty of PNG is overwhelming and tourists from all over the world go there for bush walking and also to observe the rich variety of birds.
The kindness and eagerness of the small group of new believers have been an inspiration to us. Although they don't have Bible conferences, special ministry meetings and so much literature available as we do, they have a real desire to learn from the word of God, and it is a real pleasure to talk to them about the Scriptures. They are also willing to work hard with their hands, and a big block of land has been cleared up by them, using only a few shovels, with the purpose of building a hall in the future. In the will of the Lord, we are planing our next trip for November this year, when there is the exercise of having some more baptisms and gather them to remember the Lord in the breaking of the bread for the first time.
Please pray for the believers in that village, that they may keep growing in the Lord and see others saved. Pray also for the great need of the construction of a hall, as they have their meetings in the open air in front of one of the believers' huts, just sitting on the ground. Finally, also pray for us. We need the Lord's guidance to organize our trips there, and also security and protection from diseases, but more especially for help and wisdom with the preaching of the Gospel and the teaching of His word every time we go
Summer 2015
Written by Willians and Kylie Alcala
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