Gogodala

  • Pre-Entry
  • Pre-Evangelism
  • Evangelism
  • Discipleship
  • Phase-Out
  • Completed

About the People

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.

Frontier Stories

God’s Heavy Lifting

Thievery is commonplace here. So, when I began planning the materials we would need for our new house, a friend suggested we purchase a used shipping container to put our things in and ship out to the site.

By: Stephen Erickson
October 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

Death

Too many of our friends have died lately. Last December, Bani, an older friend, died from a heart attack after attending a prayer conference in Port Moresby.

By: Laurie Erickson
September 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

Duaba

One hot afternoon in Kotale, I was sitting under a shade tree talking with some church members. In the course of our conversation, I discovered that a portable sawmill belonging jointly to the villages of Uladu, Kewa and Kotale was being stored under the Kewa village treasurer’s house.

By: Stephen Erickson
August 01 2008, 4:42 pm | Comments 0

Elsie

“We’re going to start a Sabbath School for teens this Sabbath. Would you like to come?” I asked my 16-year-old non-Adventist friend, Elsie. “I’ll come pick you up.” I added.

By: Karin Erickson
July 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

Divine Timing

Knock, knock, knock! I stirred in my sleep, then I realized that someone was knocking at our door. It was five in the morning. Steve got up, dressed and went to see who it was.

By: Laurie Erickson
June 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

The Thief

I was sitting at my desk having morning devotions when I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, something moving. I looked up, and through the Venetian blinds I noticed a man walking around our cassava garden.

By: Stephen Erickson
May 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

Dogono or Bust

It was a beautiful, balmy evening as I stood on our veranda talking with Nauda. He had just finished carving a couple of decorative canoe paddles for us.

By: Stephen Erickson
April 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

Work Bee

“One, two, go! One, two, go! One, two, go!” Nine people grunted and strained as we pulled the heavy dugout canoe out of the water and dragged it up the bank, moving it about six inches with each heave.

By: Stephen Erickson
March 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

Birth on the River

I looked around the dark room and rubbed my eyes. Thinking it must almost be daybreak, I reached for my watch and saw that it was only about midnight.

By: Stephen Erickson
February 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

Standing Behind the Savior

In America, when there’s a case of domestic abuse, you can call counselors, protective services or the police. But what do you do if none of these are available?

By: Stephen Erickson
January 01 2008, 12:00 am | Comments 0

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