PAPUA NEW GUINEA (NTM) — A small, but strong core of new Uriay believers in Papua New Guinea is being taught a couple of times a week about their identity in Christ, and is discovering that they have a divine mission in the Uriay community.

“Oh Yahweh,” Stiben prayed at a believer’s meeting last week, “we are getting together to listen to Your Talk. The true talk is in Your Book only. You are the One that is able to give us straight thinking. Many of our family members are still standing in Satan’s canoe. They are stubborn and won’t listen. Oh Yahweh, break this thinking so they too will come to hear Your Talk and will know you.”

A healthy tension exists between believers and unbelievers that cuts through family and clan groups. Boni, the village leader, and his wife, Kamayo, are seeing the new life in Jesus that family members have received. Sadly they are staying at a distance as Satan continues to darken their thinking.

But the Uriay believers are grasping the truth that God is listening to them and interacting with them on a personal basis.

Recently Aedrien prayed, “Yahweh God, You are above everything and all. You are giving us breath and are like a fence around us. Who can win from You? For everything is made by You. You sent Your Son who hung on a wooden cross and His blood flowed … for the punishment that we deserved for our sin.

“Thank You Yahweh. I put our family in the palm of Your hand, just like the sago palm walls of our house, as a hedge around them to keep them from sickness and struggle.”

The missionary team ministering among the Uriays continues to move forward in many areas.

Matt Clayton is making progress learning the Uriay culture and language and anticipates an evaluation next month. Lisa Kappeler is pushing ahead with translation and finalizing the last chapters of the book of Romans which will be taught later this year. Elias Struik is preparing Bible lessons, teaching twice a week and working with men who have the potential to step into a teaching role down the line.

Please pray that the believers will continue to learn about their new life in Christ and that other Uriays will desire what they have.

Click here to get involved today in the work God is doing in Papua New Guinea. Published by permission of New Tribes Mission.