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The Gogodala people live deep in the sago swamps of the Western Province of Papua New Guinea. Approximately 25,000 men, women and children live in 30 villages stretched out on ridges of land that rise above large lagoons. They build their homes from split palm branches and cover them with thatched roofs made from sago palm leaves.
Missionaries have worked among the Gogodala for more than 60 years, trying to establish an indigenous church among the people. Yet, Gogodala men and women have shared that they never gave up their spirit traditions when they became “Christians.” Instead, they merged the two belief systems, often asking God to bless them before conducting their spirit ceremonies. Please pray that the Gogodala people will come to a true understanding of God’s love and care for them.
A while ago, I was in Port Moresby, the capital city, with a couple of our village elders. Thinking it might be nice to show them the parliament building, I drove them there one afternoon.
By:
Stephen Erickson
January 01 2010, 12:00 am | Comments 0
It was Friday morning. The dawn’s first rays filtered through the coconut palms. A rooster crowed in the distance. A woman carrying buckets for her family’s daily water sauntered down the dirt path to the well.
By:
Stephen Erickson
December 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
It had been a hard day of work, and my bed had never felt better. As I drifted off into delightful sleep, I was suddenly awakened by shrill, cackling voices.
By:
Stephen Erickson
November 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
I would have to hurry if any timbers were to be cut that day. One of the rear tires on our four-wheeler had torn the day before, leaving me with only a wheelbarrow to carry my things into the bush.
By:
Stephen Erickson
October 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
The portable sawmill was set up in the bush only an hour’s hike from our village to cut timber for our new house.
By:
Stephen Erickson
September 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
Hearing a knock at our door, I arose to answer it. It was my friend Kapiyato, the leader of women’s ministries for the Evangelical Church of Papua (ECP) in Kotale.
By:
Laurie Erickson
August 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
As kookaburras chorused, the golden sun rose over the blue lagoons and grassy savannahs. This was to be a high Sabbath, and nature seemed to share our anticipation.
By:
Laurie Erickson
July 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
The camp-meeting grandstand posts were set. Now somebody needed to nail the crossbeams and tie the rafters to support the steel roofing. While seven of us watched from the ground, Gamani gingerly climbed the tall, slender sticks, which swayed under his weight.
By:
Stephen Erickson
June 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
Endless summer days with friends. Swimming in the lagoons and rivers. Playing marbles on the village paths. Racing canoes with friends. Soccer and rugby games. Climbing coconut palms.
By:
Laurie Erickson
May 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
“Sure,” I replied. It wasn’t the first time he had made such a request, and he always faithfully returned things. I handed him the pen and didn’t think any more about it.
By:
Laurie Erickson
April 01 2009, 12:00 am | Comments 0
Career Missionaries since 2020
Career Missionaries since 2007.
AFM-Brazil Short-term missionary for 2019.
Career Missionaries from 2000-2005, 2007.
Career Missionaries from 1997-2002.
Launched as career missionaries to PNG in 2004.
