They are born and grow up.
They go to school and get jobs.
They get married and have children.
They grow old and die.
Without Christ.
This is the case for thousands of people in hundreds of villages dotting the landscape of Papua New Guinea.
Oh, they have gods.
Many, many gods.
Gods that become angry and do terrible things. Gods that desire rituals. Gods that demand sacrifice. Gods that kill children and crops. Gods that cause disease and hunger. Gods that have no regard for status or position.
Many generations of villagers have spent their days in fear and bondage to these “gods”. Appeasing them takes constant observation and skill, persistent fear and doubt, relentless angst and uncertainty.
Someone came into their village fifty years ago and blessed them “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” and told them they were Christian.
Since that day they’ve had three new gods to appease.
To live in fear is to live in bondage and to live without Christ is to live under condemnation. For thousands of people in Papua New Guinea this is a way of life. Bondage and condemnation.
Do you remember what that’s like?
Can you imagine if there had been no one around to share the gospel with you, to point you to the ultimate freedom that is in Christ?
Our desire is that God will use our family, in some small way, to make his name famous among the nations. We are excited about our upcoming move, but we know that our lives will be much different once we step foot on the island of New Guinea. The spiritual darkness there is oppressive and we are praying that God is already working in the hearts of those we will come in contact with. We pray that many will experience the freedom that comes from trusting Christ with their lives.
Freedom from idol worship, fear, and bondage to evil spirits.
Freedom from the yoke of sin.
We have most often used this blog to keep you updated about our whereabouts and daily life, but I fear that we sometimes neglect to keep our passion at the forefront. We have left friends and family, hearth and home, comfort and security, not so that we can somehow earn favor in the eyes of God or man, or so that we can go on some grand adventure around the world. We have been compelled to do this in order to take the name of Jesus to these tribes so that the name of God will be glorified, even to the utter ends of the earth.
And so we go.
We go knowing that none of this can be accomplished in our own power, no matter how hard we work.
The results are up to God.
We go willingly and joyfully, but with no trust in our own worthiness.
He alone is worthy of the praise of the nations.
We go boldly and without fear.
For we have been promised a harvest:
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10
And even if the harvest isn’t realized in our life time, we hold to the hope that is in Christ. His word never fails. His promises are always kept. His plans are always good.
Please consider partnering with us to reach these lost tribes of Papua New Guinea. We are always in need of prayer, but we are also in need of finances. We are confident that God has set us on this path, so we know that he will provide those finances. He may even do it through you!
If you are interested in financially supporting our work among the unreached, please click this link.
Gladly would I leave behind me
All the pleasure I have known
To pursue surpassing treasures
At the throne of God the Son
Worthy of unending worship
Love and loveliness is He
By His precious death were millions
From the jaws of death set free
“Gladly Would I Leave Behind Me”
Sovereign Grace Music
Sanders Party of Five 