While holding district meetings at Lufa, high in the mountains of Papua New Guinea in the early 1960s, one of my young missionary workers told me a remarkable story. The Lord placed a burden on his heart to visit the tree-dwelling cannibals of Karimui. It was several days farther down the rugged course of the Tua River. He told his wife if he did not return to take the children back to their home village, but he believed God would protect him. It was several days of arduous walking westward into the mysterious land of the Karimui cannibals.
Each night on the trek, the chiefs of the villages where he slept would warn him not to go there. They had sent several of their own men but they had never returned — they had been killed and eaten. Moiye could not be deterred as he had implicit trust in his God who had impressed him to make the visit.
.jpg) When he arrived in the first Karimui village, the men who had seen his and his friend’s arrival came down from their high bush hut, which was more than a hundred feet long, and built on tree stumps. They carried their ever-present lethal bows and arrows and surrounded him. They touched his arms and legs to evaluate how much edible flesh he had.
Moiye realized the first few minutes were vital, so with a prayer in his heart he hung up his picture roll and started to tell them about the great God above Who created all things. He loved man, although they disobeyed Him, so He sent His Son to make a way of escape for all who would follow Him.
They listened intently and slowly relaxed, sitting down and placing their fighting weapons on the ground. As the sun was setting Moiye finished talking. An elderly man came forward and intently looked at the picture of Jesus and said, “I have seen His face before. Every word Moiye has spoken is true and you must follow what he has told you, as his message is from the Great God who lives above.” Then he told them the following story.
“When I was a young man, I was working in my garden when I heard a severe storm approaching. As I walked to my garden hut, a blinding flash of lightning flung me to the ground and I thought I was dead. But I was able to move my head so I looked up, and in the black cloud I saw the benevolent face of a Man looking down in pity to me. From that day I was a changed man, never again engaging in cannibalistic feasts. I tried to tell my tribe that there is a Great God above who saw what man did.”
Moiye told me how he visited several of the villages in the area with his medical kit and helped heal their many diseases and large sores. Everywhere he went, he witnessed their degradation and great need. His description of utmost depravity touched my heart and I determined to visit them.
 Because of the obvious medical needs and my medical training, I decided to make it a medical patrol. The government willingly gave all the medical supplies I’d need. With 35 carriers (taking supply packs on their backs) and an Australian friend and good camera man, Eric Were, we set out on the expedition. It ended up as a 40-day trek, visiting all villages on the way to Karimui, as well as their own villages. We treated many massive tropical ulcers and severe burns, many cases of malaria and pneumonia, plus a variety of other conditions.
Their filth and despair was beyond description. They were filled with fears and haunted by evil spirits. How could we help them? Their villages were hidden behind mighty folds of mountains that made them extremely isolated. The only solution was to build an airstrip which I recommended to the government and eventually they did build airstrips.
 Today, thousands of the Karimui are rejoicing in their newfound hope and happiness in their Christian faith. They love praising their benevolent Creator and rejoice in their new lifestyle with freedom from fear. What a glorious example of the triumph of the gospel in a primitive land.
And it is all made possible because of the mission aircraft that easily visit them in an effortless 30-minute flight. This must continue, as they need constant outside help, and it cannot happen without your support. I had the privilege of visiting them recently, and my heart leapt with joy as I remembered their forbears of not so long ago.
My dear friends, what a difference mission planes can make to needy people in remote areas such as in rugged New Guinea. Please continue your prayers and financial support, which is a wonderful combination. Donate to The Quiet Hour's Airplanes for the world project.
God's abundant blessing as we all share God's gifts to each of us.
Watch the video, narrated by Len Barnard, that shows the people and places he writes about for The Quiet Hour’s aviation mission project. |
