Watch this video. It re-ignited a spark in my heart for the Gospel and the privilege we have to access it so easily. Somehow I've become a bit desensitized: there are people who have NEVER heard the name of Jesus. I forget that all too easily!
Ryan and Amy Carpenter came to our small group this past Tuesday to share their story and seek support anyone had a desire to give. They are gearing up to leave this spring for Papua New Guinea (PNG) as tribal missionaries.
Ryan actually grew up as the child if missionaries in PNG. He shared one story that I hope he doesn't mind me retelling (and attempting not to butcher.) As a 4 year old, Ryan's parents brought him to a remote village in PNG where they intended to live, completely learn the language and culture, and within 5-10 years know enough of the language to share the Gospel. The tribe they were committing to was known within PNG for being highly aggressive and cannibalistic. Previous missionaries were killed and eaten by the tribe.
With faith and boldness the Carpenters arrived in 2 canoes to the village. Within a few hours of settling in, they noticed that Ryan was missing! They found him with the chief eating the head of a bird in his hut.
15 years later, the chief's brother explained to the Carpenters why that was so important. A missionary years earlier had taken the chief to town for medication to treat his seizures. While in town, they attended a local church. Although the chief couldn't understand any of the language (there are nearly 700 different languages in the relatively small PNG), he saw a light in the eyes of the believers and decided he would do all that he could to bring that light to his tribe.
When the Carpenters arrived, the chief knew that they brought the light that the other missionaries had shown him. He also knew their safety would be critical to whether or not they stayed in the community. Thus, the chief, wanting his people to hear the Carpenter's message, brought little Ryan into his home and fed him the head of the bird. This particular meal was reserved for a father to eat with his son. By bringing Ryan into his hut, he communicated that Ryan was his son. From that day forward, any member of that tribe would have given their life to protect Ryan and his family. They never had to worry about their safety from the tribe members. Sadly, the chief died before he ever fully heard the Gospel in his language, but his actions ensured that his entire tribe did.
Amazing. Truly a different world than the US.
Now Ryan (all grown up) and his sweet wife Amy are heading back to PNG. They will be building facilities for missionaries to establish homes and clinics in remote villages, so that other missionaries will be equipped to plant tribal churches. In a world with no highways, much less Home Depots, this is quite a task! If you want to learn more about their ministry, here is their link: Ryan and Amy Carpenter.
My hope is that this pricks your heart for the Gospel like it has mine. Not everyone has heard, even here in the US. I'll probably never make it to PNG, but you better believe I'll be praying for Ryan and Amy.
He said to them; "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15
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