We were both raised on mission stories, and as we entered our college years we felt God’s call to full-time mission service. We each spent time as student missionaries in PNG with AFM to confirm our call to lifelong mission service before starting life together as missionaries. Prior to joining AFM, we served as short-term missionaries in Zimbabwe, Nepal, Bangladesh and six years in India. We have been working among the Ama and May River peoples of PNG since October 2017.
Orion enjoys tinkering and fixing things, which comes in quite handy here in the bush. Keren has a love for all types of handicrafts. She is working on mastering the art of making bilums, the traditional string bag of PNG.
While many tribal groups live along the many rivers of the area, other smaller tribal groups live deeper into the jungle. Our dream is to see strong churches raised up throughout our region of PNG. In animistic cultures, it is often difficult for converts to fully separate themselves from the deep-seated customs of spirit manipulation and appeasement that filled their daily lives before they came to know Jesus as their Savior. Pray that we will hear and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek ways to disciple the Ama and May River peoples into new lives completely free from fear of the spirits.
As eyes open, you see that everyone is smiling as they systematically shake each other’s hand. You join in, smiling as you feel very included in the group.
By:
Keren Lawrence
August 01 2025, 4:18 pm | Comments 0
Thank you for praying for our safety and that of the other missionaries.
By:
Keren Lawrence
July 01 2025, 9:40 am | Comments 0
As I gave her the PNG Kina in exchange for the New Zealand currency, her face glowed with happiness. “I can finally use this money to help my family.”
By:
Keren Lawrence
April 01 2025, 10:00 am | Comments 0