Back from Papua New Guinea!

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Hello everyone!

I’m back from an amazing 25-day trip to PNG!

If I could describe this trip in one word:

Ineffable :   
“Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.”

But I’ll try my best to walk you through my trip!

The guys and I, including Paul- a friend and representative from one of our home churches in Seattle, had the privilege of visiting three out of the four regions of PNG where NTM serves. After arriving in the capital, Port Moresby, our first main stop was a mature tribal work in the highlands region. Mature? A church has been planted and been discipled unto maturity, with elders established. We had the privilege of visiting at the tail end of an outreach – the outreach was some of the tribal believers and the missionaries visiting a neighboring tribe and teaching through the Bible foundationally (Genesis through the ascension of Christ).

*Note- I received word that the result of this
outreach was that a new church was born, with 35 believers!! The believers in the tribe we visited will continue going to this neighboring tribe to disciple the new believers! This coming Thursday (Wednesday in the USA), will be the first return visit for discipleship. Keep the tribal teachers and the missionaries in your prayers!

After our time in the tribe, we visited three of the NTM centers and had the opportunity to ask questions and meet the leadership in those areas. This includes the region we will be living in for our first 6 months to a year, Madang. Madang is a beautiful region, and it was exciting to see firsthand where we will be!

At this point, Paul flew back to the States, and I continued on to visit a new tribal work. New? The missionaries have recently moved in and are currently learning the tribal language and culture. In the next 1-2 years they will hopefully be able to begin teaching through the Bible foundationally in the tribal language! It was at this leg of the trip that the sobering reality struck me like a 2×4 across the face-

These people are living and dying without knowing Christ. No clear presentation of God’s redemption plan through Jesus.

Interacting with these tribal people, knowing they are not believers, really enforced a sense of urgency in me for getting to the field, learning the language AND culture, and presenting Christ to them with understanding. Please pray that these missionaries will learn the tribal language and culture quickly! 
It was encouraging to hear a statement said by one of the missionaries- ‘We work hard but we also play hard.’ Meaning? Knowing that it will take a lot of hours and hard work and energy to reach the finish line. But also knowing that it’s ok to… play a game, or have a movie night, or go swim in the river with the crocodiles… etc… Learning the balance. 🙂
It was an amazing trip, and I’m so encouraged, excited, and ready to bring my family over to PNG and dive in to this task that the Lord has called us all to. (Yes, you too! You are an essential part of our team, whether you give financially, pray, or encourage us. He asked His Church to be involved in His heart mission, not just the ones who literally go.)
Would you be a part of our team? Find out how you can get involved with us by contacting us directly, or visiting www.ntm.org
Thank you for all of your support!
~Noe

Comments

  1. Having seen how powerfully the trip impacted you, (it was "incontheivable" 🙂 as well as ineffable, obviously) I am impressed with how well you captured your trip with just a few words and pictures. For several years I have been praying for the unnamed tribe you will serve. Now I can sense "them" better. I am more excited than ever for your work to begin…praying for Ling in OK and for all the remaining parts of your support to come together. (and I am NOT praying about Disneyland) (inside family joke)

  2. Great post for an 'ineffable' experience; a word to go in my vocabulary and continuing to pray for those there and your journey ahead.