Content In The Will of God For Our Lives

For the past seventeen years, God has placed my husband, David, and I in the middle of the rain forest of Papua New Guinea. Karimui is accessible only by small aircraft. The other alternative is to walk in and out, which takes a national 2 days to walk to the nearest two track “road” that goes to town.

It involves going over a shaky bridge over a large river, so I pray it never becomes a necessity. Many people would have a hard time with the “isolation” of being the only non-New Guineans in an area like this, but the Lord has given us a love for this area. Do we get lonely? Not really, because we have become involved in the lives of the people there and have many friendships that have formed. Every once in a while, we do long for fellowship in the English language, but get that when we go to Goroka for supplies, every 6-8 weeks. (By the way, I have learned to make good lists so I don’t forget things!) It took some time to get used to walking everywhere, but we have a good time of talking with those we are with. It is a type of discipleship, as they open up when we aren’t in a church setting. We make it a point to be friendly with everyone, and as a result, most people in the area would look after us.

Teaching the Christians has been very rewarding. They are not enticed as much by worldly things, as they aren’t encumbered as much with all the “stuff” the world offers. Because they haven’t had Bible stories since they were children, at times, we have to tell the whole story just get one point across.


Generally, the people just absorb the lesson or message. The people aren’t time oriented, which can be good or bad, depending on circumstances. They don’t worry about getting out of church on “time”, but also can be late for services. They don’t put a time limit on prayer either, and just pour out their hearts to God. I also teach literacy in Melanesian Pidgin every year or so. It is very thrilling to have two or three men that are preaching, and one who is a pastor’s wife, who have learned to read. Moses and Joyce, a pastor and his wife that I taught to read, have also taught literacy in their village. Wow! I also love working with teaching children and also kids’ choir. They really love to sing.

Philippians 4:11 is a verse that can be true in each of our lives. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

It isn’t hard to live in Karimui. You can take a nice long shower with 2 ½ gallons of water, or use 12 volt lighting in the house, and a propane refrigerator and stove. It isn’t hard to have to make everything from “scratch”. In fact, it is much healthier. Sure, some things are harder to do, but I have never regretted God’s leading in Dave’s heart to live and serve Him in that place. God’s blessings have been greater than I could ever imagine.