After many years in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Randy and Diana Smyth now serve with New Tribes Mission Mobilization in New England.
Randy’s first introduction to mission aviation was in 1970 when New Tribes Mission Aviation pilots (then called Tribal Air/Communications) landed in the front yard of his house (at what is now the Wayumi campus) where his parents were receiving missionary training. Looking for aircraft before crossing the yard to visit the neighbors was essential! His first airplane ride was given by a missionary pilot trainer.
Later, in Borneo, missionary pilots supported his family while they worked in pioneer missions among the formerly headhunting Embaloh and Urun Da’an peoples.
Randy began flying as a pilot in training in 1983 and after finishing aircraft mechanic training, Bible training and missionary training, joined New Tribes Mission Aviation in 1992. Randy has served as a missionary bush pilot in Papua New Guinea since 1994 . He has logged over six thousand hours, most of them in Papua New Guinea. Randy has Certificates as an A&P Mechanic, Commercial pilot in Single and Multi-engine land aircraft and is a Certified Flight Instructor in Single Engine, Multi-engine Instrument Airplanes.
After years working with Cru, and marriage to Randy in 2002, Diana joined the New Tribes Mission Aviation team in Papua New Guinea in 2003. Her main ministry has involved Flight Following aircraft, Communications, Hospitality, Computer Training and using her gifts in general encouragement. (See our old web site at missionpng.com.)
Randy & Diana’s main passion is bringing glory to God through the planting of maturing indigenous Bible-believing churches among unreached people groups. Since Randy began serving in PNG more than 38 people groups have heard and understood the Good News of Jesus Christ. With more than 700 people groups still untold, there is much work yet to be done. Please pray for laborers!