Papua New Guinea and Australia Mission Report – July 2016

 

 

We recently returned from travel to Papua New Guinea for ministry in Numba Village, followed by a Bible conference in Australia. We praise God for your prayers and support that continue to make this ministry possible.

 

 

in every place … your faith in Christ has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.” 1Th 1:7–8

 

It was a great joy to be back in Numba, teaching the graduate students, many of whom are now pastoring, working as travelling evangelists, or doing long-range mission work. The impact of EBI among the Managalasi people is dynamic!

 

The books of Second Peter and Jude were covered in this course, and relevant doctrines relating to spiritual growth, discernment, and identifying false teaching were included. Please pray for these men and women, as many left intending to travel to their home villages or beyond to share what they had learned with others in their villages and churches. We will list their names for prayer at the end of this report.

 

While Gene was teaching the graduate class, Roger Thiele from Curlew, Washington was teaching New Testament Survey to the new intake of students. This new class will graduate in January 2018. They will be the sixth set of students to graduate from EBI.

 

 

“In your name they rejoice all the day, and by your righteousness they are exalted.” Psa 89:16

 

Look at the beautiful smiles on the faces of Pastor Michael and his wife Virginia. As you know, Michael is the one the Lord lifted up to oversee the running of Ese Bible Institute. Virginia works tirelessly to cook and feed the students year-after-year. Now, they are facing a great trial in their lives as their eldest son, Dick, has a very large and cancerous mouth tumor. Yet, they continue to trust God, and serve Him in the midst of their pain. We were able—through your support—to help bring Dick back home to the village of Numba to be with his family.

 

Please pray for him, his wife Maureen, and their two young children. And, of course, pray for Michael and Virginia as they are greatly burdened over the condition of their son.

  

 

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.” Psa 127:3

 

 

Once again, Nan was privileged to be able to do some classes with the ladies

in Numba and travel to various villages to teach the hungry children.

 

The Sunday schools in Numba and the surrounding villages are doing so well under the leadership of trained Sunday school teachers.

 

Praise God!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Blessings in the Village

“He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy He will save.” Psa 72:13

 

It was four years ago that we were last in Numba village. We were so encouraged to see how God has blessed the believers in Numba over this time. They are growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Many are being moved by God to go out as missionaries beyond the borders of their village, and even their own language group, to bring the good news of the Gospel to those who do not know the precious truth of Jesus Christ

 

Beyond the spiritual blessing of the saints in Numba, we see that God is helping them in the difficulties of their life. Last year, Cross Road Bible Church in Perth brought a team of talented workers who were able to tap a spring on the mountain above Numba and enable the flow of clean water right into the village. This has been such a blessing to everyone in the village.

 

How fun it was to see the kids play under the taps during hot, humid afternoons! Perhaps the women have benefited the most as they are now able to wash dishes, clothes, and babies just outside their doorstep.

 

Everyone in the village now has easy access to clean drinking water. It seemed everyone was a little bit cleaner and better dressed than ever before!

 

 

  

 

“Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted.” Psa 10:12

 

While in Numba, we visited with an older couple, Rose and Uvia, who are really suffering. Rose’s whole body is extremely crippled with arthritis, and she weighs only about 50–60 pounds. All she is able to do is lay on a thin, dirty sheet in this hut— day-after-day and year-after-year. Her husband Uvia is old and going blind, yet tries to care for her. In addition, they have several grandchildren they are caring for. They are unable to tend a garden and, therefore, have very little food.

 

We walked up the hill to their hut several times to bring some help in the form of

money, food, blankets, fellowship, and prayer. On our first visit, we entered the

porch and asked Uvia how he was doing. he waid, "My story is coming to asn end."

Soon, Rose and Uvia will be clothed in righteousness, and their suffering will be removed far from them forever and ever.

 

To God be the glory! In the meantime, please pray for them!

 

 

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” Mat 28:19–20

 

As we mentioned earlier, many of the graduate students are now involved in full-time ministry within and even beyond their own language group. Often, they travel at their own expense over difficult trails and rough conditions. Please pray for these workers who are instrumental in ministering the Gospel and the sound teaching of God’s Word to men, women, and children across the jungles of Papua New Guinea:

 

Pastor Lawrence, training and sending missionaries

Winston Garvi, training and sending missionaries

Taylor and Lydia Tioja, ministry to PNG military and Jesus Video Evangelism

Chris and Windora Isaac, children’s ministry outreach

Nemuel, child evangelism in hospitals

 

All of the graduate students of Gene’s class also ask for your prayers. We assured them that many across the world would be faithful to pray for them. Here is a list of their names:

 

Dunston and Rebecca Sihugo

Japhet King Namuka

Mark Philip Sohupa

Russell Murabas

Fabian Jaotos

Elaston Aguido

Dick Brian Ukana

Each of these students also wrote prayer requests, including personal spiritual growth, family health and needs, and continued opportunities for greater ministry. We thank you for praying for them. God knows their needs, and He hears and answers our prayers.

 

Following our time in Numba, we were blessed to be able to catch up with children and grandchildren in Australia. In addition, we had a Bible conference with Cross Road Bible Church in Perth. How refreshing it was to be face-to-face with so many of the precious believers that we lived and served with years ago! Gene and our son-in-law, Daniel Zanich, presented classes countering the teaching of “lordship salvation” and other misunderstandings in Scripture. The classes are on the BTBM website now. Continue to pray for the saints in Australia.

 

Serving with joy,

Gene and Nan

 

For more pictures of the PNG mission go to:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3161vbte2cchuqu/AAD58hOufVoo4eMzor3dAKEka?dl=0