Thanks so much for your prayers for Dave during his recent trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG). God answered many needs for Dave including his health (recovering from the trip to India), the PNG fuel shortage, and several logistical challenges. In all of our travel around the world, PNG is the furthest and the most expensive. Dave took 6 flights including stops in Doha, Singapore & Port Moresby (PNG's capital). Airlines varied from Qatar Airways to Air Niugini to an MAF bush plane.
Flying in PNG with Air Niugini and MAF
Destination Yomneki
After a short but great visit in the town of Goroka with Dave’s brother (Bill & Lori Smith) & family, the last flight carried us to our final destination - Yomneki. We had lived and served at the Simbai Station from 2000 to 2010. Yomneki is a 5-minute flight or a 5-hour grueling hike from the Simbai Station. Yomneki is significant because it’s where the Gospel first entered the Simbai region and where the first Baptist church was planted. That was our destination because Calvary Baptist Church hosted a special missions conference. Flying to Yomneki is easier said than done, especially in rainy season. Our first attempt failed. The MAF pilot circled seven times, but was unable to land due to bad weather. We spent the night at the Simbai Station, and thankfully arrived safely at Yomneki the next morning. Below is a video of us landing at Yomneki.
Landing at the Yomneki airstrip in an MAF bush plane in PNG.
Warm Welcome
Arriving a day late was a little disappointing, but the warm welcome made it well worth it. Believers had come to Yomneki from most of the churches in the Simbai region. Imagine over 20 churches coming together for a combined missions conference. Imagine everyone hiking on muddy, mountain trails and then living together in large huts during the conference. Some believers hiked for 2 days to participate in the missions conference.
The Simbai believers welcoming us at Yomneki for a special Missions Conference
Uniting for the Cause
Starting a day late, the missions conference went from Thursday through Sunday. It was a blessing for Dave to reconnect with so many that we had served and partnered with for 10 years. It was encouraging to hear how the churches are continuing to serve the Lord. The attendance grew each day totaling more than 900! The church building was completely packed with many more sitting outside and listening during the services. Dave's heart overflowed with joy to witness the Simbai believers coming together for the furtherance of the Gospel and for the sake of His Name.
Singing during the Missions Conference
On Mission
The purpose for the Missions Conference was:
Spiritual Revival - We praise the Lord that several trusted in Christ alone for salvation and many more dedicated their lives to serving Christ.
Commitment to Personal Evangelism - Several sessions challenged and trained Christians to be actively evangelizing and making disciples in their villages and communities.
Casting Vision for Advancing the Gospel - Finally there was preaching and teaching on the Biblical mandate to preach the Gospel, make disciples and plant churches among all nations. It was a blessing to hear church leaders discuss strategies to reach surrounding villages and neighboring language groups for Christ.
Photos from the Missions Conference at Yomneki, PNG
To God Be the Glory!
In 1983, the Gospel first went into the Simbai region. For the past 41 years, the Holy Spirit has been at work building Christ's Church for the glory of God. We along with other American and PNG missionaries have had the privilege and joy of serving alongside the Simbai believers to strengthen the local churches, to reproduce and plant new churches, and to even launch their own mission efforts among other language groups.
A video summary of God's work of grace among the Simbai people of PNG
Grateful
We're thankful for our good friend, Layne Foor (far left), going with Dave. Layne's six visits to PNG and investment in the Simbai churches have been a huge blessing. We're also thankful for Steve (middle) & Medlin Ottio. They are PNG missionaries from the Goroka area serving in Simbai. Steve leads and teaches in the Simbai Baptist Bible Institute. Medlin teaches literacy classes for the Simbai women. Steve & Medlin have been a big encouragement to the Simbai church leaders and their wives. We can't say "thank you" enough for your prayers and partnership with us over the years to make an eternal investment among the Simbai people.
Praise the Lord with us,
Dave & Shawn Smith
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