For Goodness Sake - Changing Lives in Papau, New Guinea

http://www.kmeg14.com/news/local/8109427.html

Each week we bring you a story about the faith of your hometown and how spirituality and service are bringing good to our lives. KMEG 14's Andi Hauser joins us with a story that begins here in Siouxland, and ends half a world away in Papua, New Guinea.

Nine members of one area church say they're a small part of a big world, but making an impact is still possible even in Papua, New Guinea.

"Part of this trip is to see that we are a small part of a bigger world, just because we are in the Midwest doesn't mean we can't impact in the world as well," says Pastor Jim Thomas of Holly Springs Bible Fellowship.

Once in New Guinea the task of helping area missionaries, who work with the Patpatar Tribe, begins.

"Our purpose is to offer them hope of Jesus Christ, and we leave it in their hands, if they want to accept that message that’s their choice," says Aaron Luse.

While many just visit, Luse and his family live in New Guinea with the Papatar Tribe were the conveniences of the modern world are a world away.

"It has it’s challenging times, we live in the tribe, with people who live in grass huts."

Hard work is not foreign to these people, but Christianity is and that is where the work of these Iowans comes into play.

"One of the things that enjoyable about taking people from Iowa is that hard work, Midwestern work ethic, coupled with duct tape and baling wire mentality, we didn’t run across a project we couldn’t figure out one way or the other," Says Pastor Thomas.

Luse says that many want to go back to Papau, New Guinea, to finish the work they are doing.

"Give me a ticket and I’m gone," says Chuck Jackson, a church member who has traveled to Papau.

The work ahead of missionaries like Luse will last years, with no guarantee of results.

"The rewards… we may never see the rewards in our lifetime," says Luse.


Holly Springs Bible Fellowship Church plans to send another group to Papau, New Guinea in 2009.

If you know of any stories of faith or service in your hometown, we'd love to hear about them. You can send them to us kmegnews@kmeg.com

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