Why we do what we do
Pete & Joy Palmer
Back on the island of PNG, where the Sepik River twists and turns and is fed by its many tributaries, sit 2 tribes that were first surveyed for NTM over 30 years ago by my father, Dale Palmer, plus a few other men. In more recent years God has made it possible for 5 missionary families to live among these needy people (2 families in one tribe and 3 families in the other). They have studied diligently to learn the tribal language and culture of 'their' tribe, and last month they started teaching God's Word. In both tribes, most of the population is attending the almost daily sessions.
Joy and I want to share this great news with you, as THIS IS WHY we do what we do—to bring God's Name to those who have not had a chance to hear about God's Glorious Good News. And you, our prayer partners, will be thrilled as well to hear what's being said as the teaching continues right now.
Holmquists and Woodards write:
The foundation has been laid. "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting YOU ARE GOD" (Psalm 90:2).
This verse is printed, laminated, and stapled to a long, flat piece of wood that hangs at the top of the teaching house. We have been carefully and systematically explaining Who God is and What He is like. He had no beginning; He had no end; He is not like man; He is everywhere at one time; He is all powerful; He is our Father and the Creator of all things.
Just beyond this piece of wood is the start of 6,000 beads. The week before teaching began, the Holmquist kids, along with a handful of tribal people, meticulously strung 6,000 sago palm seed nuts onto fishing line to make a timeline. Each bead represents one year. Every 100th bead is painted white. The string is looped back and forth, back and forth, and fills the roof of the teaching house. The last bead is marked '2008', and we have marked events in their tribe that go back about 100 years. It was so interesting to watch people's faces as we singled out a tribal man and asked him, "What was the name of your father? And what was the name of your grandfather? Your great grandfather? Your great great grandfather?" Because there are no written records in this place, they can only remember back about 4 generations. Brian then went on to explain that time has been going on for a lot longer than they can remember. And we have an accurate account of what happened in the BEGINNING, right here in this book: The Bible.
And the 2nd missionary team (Busers, Shonteres and Suttons) write that most of the population in their tribe is attending the almost daily teaching sessions. Some of the responses:
Lawrence said:
This is sitting really well in my stomach; I think this really is the truth and none of the other stuff we have heard in the past from our ancestors or from other people is true."
Aron (about 75 years old) said: "Our ancestors lied about Ga'awatok (a stone they formerly worshipped.) She wasn't our creator and God. This God we are hearing about now is the real God."
This is truly GOOD NEWS to lives that have lived under Satan's domain. Please pray with us: that the Holy Spirit will convict them of their sins and need of the true Savior, Jesus Christ; that the tribal folks will faithfully attend the Bible teaching so they can hear the whole story; and pray for the missionaries to stay well during this time of intense teaching.
If any of you are interested in hearing more, we receive almost weekly updates that we can gladly pass onto you, if you like.
Joy and I are enjoying our stay at the mission headquarters; we've been very thankful for the efficient little heater in our borrowed motor home.
Pray with us that our Australian visas will be approved this month. We have tickets for April 22.
