In another month we’ll be hitting a significant “mile marker” reaching the end of our first year in Papua New Guinea. Some of you might be wondering when, exactly, will we be getting into a tribe? Well, Benjamin is about to embark on another survey trip which will help us to answer this question.
On Tuesday Benjamin will accompany Tony and Dennis on a week long assessment of the Alfendio people group. Tony and Benjamin have been working together doing People Group Assessment work since last May, and Dennis is a believer from the Yembi Yembi tribe who will bring a much needed PNG perspective to the effort. This trip will be the second assessment of five that have been scheduled for different people groups in our area between now and Christmas. We are trusting the Lord to be able to begin working among one of these people groups in the new year.
The first village the guys need to visit is only accessible by helicopter. They will be shuttled in from another airstrip close by and then will spend the week making their way through each village in the language group. They have two and a half days of hiking and another full day on the river to get to their rendezvous point and catch the plane home. The trail will take them through 6 villages in all – four of which belong to the Alfendio language group. They have planned their week as best they can, and are relying on the Lord to put them in contact with the right people on the ground.
If you remember the last survey we were praising the Lord for the guides Thompson and Peter who where a huge help to Benjamin and Tony. We’re trusting that the Lord will guide us to the right helpers and “people of influence” in each of the villages that the guys visit this time. There are so many factors on a trip like this that are totally out of our control. Pray that Benjamin, Tony and Dennis will manage to stay safe and healthy. Pray that the Lord would give them the ability to think clearly while being physically worn out. Pray that they would remain culturally sensitive and that their communication would be clear. They both feel the burden of responsibility as they lay the ground work for a team of church planters to possibly follow.
We can’t overstate the great privilege we feel that we have being here in Papua New Guinea so close to expanding the reach of the Gospel even further. Thank you for making this possible through your faithful prayers and gifts. You are an amazing encouragement to us.
Benjamin and Missy