New Guinea Trip

KNAPPNEWS
November 2017
Our newsletters often begin with reports from the “front lines” written by and about other members of our mission. Not this time.
We had the immense privilege and joy of visiting the Ethnos360 field center at supply center in the Highlands, Papua New Guinea for over 2 weeks. (Yes, we spend a few days on either side of that time as tourists in Honolulu, HI and Sydney, Australia.)
Over the last 45 years there have been many, many missionary candidates go through classes I (David) have taught who have served in Papua New Guinea. It has been a life-long dream to visit that exciting and needy mission field. Thanks to our children and many others who gave, that dream came true in October. THANKS.
First impressions were a mixture of a sense of familiarity and the newness of the unknown. Many sights were just like the hundreds of pictures we’ve seen over the years but the feel, smell and sounds were new. A renewed appreciation mounted while we were there for the many folks who are giving themselves to do backup and physical jobs so that the preaching and Bible translation can be done in the remote parts of the country. Our zeal only increased in sharing this all-important task of getting the gospel to those who haven’t heard from our trip with churches.
Crystal had the joy of sharing her testimony and story with ladies at the mission center. David presented one seminar on Understanding and Dealing with Grief and then was the keynote speaker at a regional field meetings of about 130 missionaries with Ethnos360.
It is nearly impossible to pick out a highlight from our time in Papua New Guinea. We both always love speaking and teaching things God has done and shown us. Ministering one to one with folks in the evenings were also very fulfilling times for us both.
The core of the work of Ethnos360, of course, still revolves around what God is doing in the remote villages of the various fields and the darkness that is being dispelled in the hearts of people who hear the truth of God’s salvation for the first time.
Our first experience in PNG was a day visit to a remote location. This people group has a functioning church and Bible translation work. The church leaders are pressing on with the work of the Lord. When we were there they were preparing for a regional Bible meetings of believers from other villages. We traveled with retired missionaries from that village and were all greeting with traditional dancing in traditional dress using Christian words giving praise to the God of creation and their salvation. You should have been there!!
One of the fun things about a field visit like ours includes seeing people who have been in one or more of David’s classes when they were in training. One such missionary invited us to come spend a night with them in their remote village. The second group live in the highlands of PNG. Our “guest house” was very comfortable with solar power and running water.
A walk through the village and a visit to a Bible study going on in the church building opened our eyes to life and experiences among the local believers. My favorite pictures are those of our missionaries doing their job among the people. Pray for the floundering church as it begins to grow.
Your prayers were answered for us in mighty ways during our travels both while we were in PNG and when we enjoyed other parts of the world while we were in route. Thanks for being such an important part of the work of reaching the lost with the gospel for the first time.
We have posted a few highlight pictures from our travels on our family blog spot; www.daviddknapp.blogspot.com

With full hearts;
David & Crystal Knapp
To donate to our continued financial needs; https://blogs.ethnos360.org/david-knapp/give/