My (Aaron’s) final village trip before home assignment was a powerful marker of the work we’ve poured our hearts into here in Papua New Guinea (PNG) . Two main goals anchored this journey: to facilitate a much-needed course on Dealing with Conflict Biblically and to dedicate and begin distributing the newly completed Gospel of John. Little did I know, the Lord had even richer plans in store.

The teaching team sent by our PNG Scripture Access office was simply phenomenal. They didn’t just deliver the conflict resolution curriculum; with remarkable insight, they integrated elements of another course called Healing the Wounds of Trauma. This story-based approach, drawing parallels between village life, biblical narratives, and the deep pain people carry, proved to be profoundly impactful. It became clear that many of our interpersonal conflicts stemmed from deeper, unhealed wounds. The combined course created a space for thirty participants from three villages to lay down their burdens before the Lord, confess their failings, and take courageous steps toward reconciliation.

One hour during the trauma healing session remains etched in my memory. It was a time set apart for prayer and the brave act of seeking forgiveness. In a room full of hushed whispers and tearful eyes, I felt compelled to approach a dear sister with whom I’d previously shown impatience and frustration. As I began to apologize for my harshness and lack of consideration, she simply wept and embraced me. Words weren’t available or necessary; the weight of unspoken hurt lifted, a powerful testament to the need for this deeper healing within our community. This resonated deeply with me, as an outsider often navigating cultural nuances and communication styles that can lead to misunderstandings. I was strongly reminded of the story we studied that morning, telling of Hannah’s silent prayer in the tabernacle, misunderstood by Eli before he offered validation. This highlighted the vulnerability of those in pain and the crucial role of empathy, especially from leaders.

Then came the dedication of the Gospel of John materials. Veterans of similar events had described more formal handovers where the translation team presented the finished Scripture to community leaders as a symbol of completion. But the Mamusi way was a vibrant expression of community ownership and a focus on the ongoing work. Participants from the training course formed a procession through the village. Their voices rose in a traditional song, as they slowly carried a copy of the new Gospel of John book and an SD card toward the translation house.

Upon reaching the translation house, they presented these precious items to members of our translation team. Then, our own Mama Rosa stepped forward. Speaking not as a translator, but as a respected member of the community, her words were deeply stirring. She acknowledged the immense effort of the translation team but emphasized that this was not an end, but a new beginning. “Here is this token of your work,” she said. “We are now placing it in your hands, with the expectation that you continue to work hard on it.” The translation team was visibly moved and encouraged by this unique expression of support and the community’s understanding of their ongoing commitment.

The momentum continued as the teaching team led a further two and a half days of training in Oral Bible Storytelling for a subset of the initial participants. This method, perfectly suited to the rich oral tradition in Mamusi, uses John’s Gospel as a prime source. What unfolded was truly unexpected: all twenty participants committed to forming a new Mamusi Scripture Engagement Team. Their goal is to encourage the entire Mamusi-speaking community to become active disciples of Jesus through engaging with the Gospel in this accessible way. Inspired by the passage in John 1 where Andrew, having found Jesus, immediately brings his brother Peter to him, these individuals felt a compelling call to share the good news within their own families, local groups, and even neighboring villages.

As part of their distribution strategy, the committee is giving promotional copies of John to every church leader, encouraging its use in weekly meetings. Subsequently, congregation members can purchase their own copies at a subsidized rate. Just last week, our committee chairman, accompanied by one of the teachers and three others from our village, visited a nearby village we hadn’t reached in some time. Their mission was to deliver copies to the local church leaders, hold an awareness meeting, and screen the new Gospel of John film. They returned the next day overflowing with joy and stories of God’s power and faithfulness at work.

This is undeniably a season of great excitement, momentum, and profound encouragement within the Mamusi program. Thank you for your unwavering prayers supporting our work and our family. Please continue to lift up our Mamusi brothers and sisters as they faithfully and diligently pursue all that the Lord has called them to do!