The Word of God changes lives. As the Director of Support Services here in Papua New Guinea, Jerry Walker, writes, “SIL (Wycliffe)’s desire is to see: Papua New Guineans - knowing and living God's Word, leading to changed lives and transformed communities.”
But we have an enemy, and he is desperately trying to stop God’s work from taking place. He is trying to distract us as warriors from where the real battle lies. This past week has felt like hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. But as Jesus reminds us in John 16:33, we can have peace because Christ has already overcome the world. It is with this confidence and peace that I write about what has been happening here on Ukarumpa Centre.
NOTE: Please do not use this information as a “conversation starter” or simply information to pass on to anyone interested. The information we wish to share is about what God is doing to spread His Word—not the negative stories that we could so easily dwell on. If anyone asks how things are going here in PNG, please respond with a positive report about what God is doing here! I hope I have given you many positive stories to choose from. For those of you who battle for us often in prayer, may this information be fuel for your earnest prayers for, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16)
On the 22nd of October, some village leaders from our neighboring community (Ukarumpa Village) arrived on Centre asking to speak with our Director. They had some concerns to bring before our leadership and wanted to be heard right away. To make a point, they forced our security guards out of their posts and made unreasonable demands. To be cautious, we sent our children home from school and went on a kind of “lock down” until the meeting was over. Thankfully, other security guards and many police arrived quickly to help the meeting go smoothly and make everyone more comfortable. While we did not agree with many of their arguments nor could we give into their demands, the meeting ended peacefully and life went back to normal.
On October 27th Ukarumpa Village men came onto Centre and successfully intimidated our Papua New Guinean employees who were working on our water system. Until this water system is completed, our Centre has been drawing water from a river on Ukarumpa Village land, which has been a cause for disputes for many years. Instead of halting construction of the water system, however, more than 80 members and employees pitched in to complete the project in record time. The police were called on the men who tried to cause trouble and they have been warned not to attempt this again.
On the 31st of October a devastating incident occurred. This is how our leadership described the event:
“On Sunday night (31 Oct) local time, an unknown person entered SIL-PNG
Aviation's leased property with a gun. One of the on-duty guards was
shot and killed.
Local police are investigating the shooting, and SIL's private security
contractor has entered into mourning. Currently, the origin of the
assailant is unknown as several local villages have had conflicts with
the security contractor.
SIL members and personnel have closed down operations on Monday, 1 Nov,
to allow the guards to mourn as culturally appropriate. As a community
we publicly and physically extend our condolences to the guard's family,
friends and co-workers.
At this time, we do not feel the hostilities are being directed toward
the expatriate community, but SIL members are currently manning all
security posts.
Aviation's leased property with a gun. One of the on-duty guards was
shot and killed.
Local police are investigating the shooting, and SIL's private security
contractor has entered into mourning. Currently, the origin of the
assailant is unknown as several local villages have had conflicts with
the security contractor.
SIL members and personnel have closed down operations on Monday, 1 Nov,
to allow the guards to mourn as culturally appropriate. As a community
we publicly and physically extend our condolences to the guard's family,
friends and co-workers.
At this time, we do not feel the hostilities are being directed toward
the expatriate community, but SIL members are currently manning all
security posts.
The culture dictates "payback" for every wrong, which leads to an
unending cycle of revenge. We ask our larger international community to
pray for a peaceful and lawful resolution to the current issues facing
our Papua New Guinean security contractor and the SIL-PNG community.”
We, as SIL/Wycliffe members and employees are shocked and stunned by what has transpired this week. Again, I ask you NOT to pass this information on as something interesting to talk about. We are all taking this seriously and desperately need your prayers. If you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me (Melissa_yoder@wycliffe.org). I do not feel scared or unsafe here, only saddened by the events of the week and motivated to pray for the speedy spreading of the Word of God. Only God’s Word can change lives and transform communities. MARANATHA!unending cycle of revenge. We ask our larger international community to
pray for a peaceful and lawful resolution to the current issues facing
our Papua New Guinean security contractor and the SIL-PNG community.”
Hi Melissa,
ReplyDeletei am saddened to by the report and know that we will deffinately be praying for the region and for the team there. We love you and lift you up continually kid!
The efforts of the enemy and deceptions of those in bonds to him only provide the option for Christ followers to break the cultural norms of "pay back." The love of God as His people "walk the talk" always triumphs for the glory of our "Suffering Servant" who leads the way of grace and mercy and by no means clearing the rebel offender!!! Thanks for sharing these challenges by which the Church becomes the Bride!
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