Dedicated team flew with MAF on their journey towards the isolated village of Minim in the Hewa region of Papua New Guinea to bring the word of God to a small tribe.
Story by Mandy Glass
In the remote regions of Papua New Guinea, a team of missionaries embarked on a journey to bring the word of God to another tribe.
MAF pilot Bridget Ingham flew Pastor Jim Balus and his team from Malaumanda to Hewa, a 25-minute flight. From Hewa, they would trek two days to the village of Minim, an even more remote village than theirs, said to have about 40 people living in the village but several small hamlets with additional people close by.
There is this Hewa tribe in a small village called Minim. But God’s word has not come there. They need us. Because they can already read in their tok ples and they can fully understand God’s word, we are helping the New Tribes missionaries by going up to help with the Bible course.
Before boarding the MAF aircraft, Pastor Jim explained their mission to spread faith and literacy, building on the teaching in tok ples [local dialect] which began last year.
"There is this Hewa tribe in a small village called Minim. But God’s word has not come there. They need us,” he said.
“Because they can already read in their tok ples and they can fully understand God’s word, we are helping the New Tribes missionaries by going up to help with the Bible course."
Jim Balus is an Elder in the local Malamaunda church, a church plant by Ethnos360 (in Papua New Guinea still known as New Tribes Mission) which started over 20 years ago and now sees the local church taking the gospel and literacy training they once received to other tribes.
Pilot Bridget and Pastor Jim’s conversation revealed the depth of the team’s dedication.
"So we’re both missionaries? MAF is a mission, and you are missionaries too," Bridget asked.
"Yes," Pastor Jim confirmed. "It’s the work of one man alone, Father God.”
Jim explained the time commitment necessary for the team to support the remote village.
“Those doing the literacy tok ples school will stay for four months. I will stay maybe two months,” he said. “I know it’s hard, all the work they are doing, and we will support and strengthen them. It’s what they want."
Bridget asked what people can pray for.
Jim responded: “They can pray for me on this little trip.
“Let them hear God’s word with the literacy tok ples school. They can learn well, understand well, see well, and they can read the Bible. This is how you can support us in prayer, with the Hewa tribe.
“They must learn to read, and afterwards they must learn to read the Bible. They themselves must become leaders in their church and they can stand strong.”
Before boarding the aircraft, Bridget offered a prayer for the journey and the outreach team.
“Father God, we want to thank you for this day and thank you for this aeroplane that will take all these men and women and children going to Hewa, and I pray for this time they are in Hewa, two or three or four months, while they do the tok ples literacy school and share God’s word. I pray you bless them all and you protect them all while they are there and when they come back to Malaumanda. I pray a big blessing on this family, they have become missionaries and are going to Hewa and come back again. I pray a big blessing upon this. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Upon landing at Hewa, Jim said the team would spend the first night near the airstrip, begin walking to Minim village the next day, camp in the bush on the second night, and arrive at the village on the third day. Minim village already had a church, signifying the community's openness to the missionaries' message.
The MAF flight to Hewa was more than just overcoming physical barriers to shorten the team’s gruelling trek, it’s also the start of a profound spiritual voyage which already shines its light beyond the small Minim village into Hewa communities.
John Hutteman, Ethnos 360 missionary and church planter of the Malamaunda church, appreciates MAF’s partnership as he shares the excitement of this young church taking the gospel further.
“We very much appreciate MAF helping to facilitate their trip travel and thank MAF for their partnership and spreading the gospel,” John said.
“Minim Village is part of the Malifa language family spoken in Malamaunda. It is one of the last villages before Hewa and I believe there has been interest and request for Bible teaching by the Hewa people as they have seen the excitement by the Minim people upon hearing the gospel in their language and reading God’s word in their language.”
Malamaunda Facts
Malamaunda (sometimes also spelled Malaumanda) is a remote village in Papua New Guinea situated in the border area between the East Sepik Province and Enga. This small community is home to around 300 people living near the airstrip, with additional residents in the surrounding area. The village is extremely isolated, nestled among mountains and valleys, and accessible only via long treks through the jungle or by air.
The region is known for its challenging living conditions, with limited access to basic services. For example, there is a small aid post in Malaumanda, staffed by two village health volunteers who work only an hour a day from Monday to Saturday. More comprehensive medical services are provided periodically by visiting medical teams from the Kompiam District Hospital, flown in by MAF.
Malaumanda is also a site for various missionary and humanitarian activities.
Ethnos360 (In Papua New Guinea still known as New Tribes Mission) have been involved in church planting, teaching, literacy, translation, and leadership development in the community for over 20 years.
The village has been the focus of health initiatives by the Kompiam Hospital, including tuberculosis (TB) treatment, which has saved lives by diagnosing and treating TB in children and adults alike.
Additionally, the village has been impacted by gender-based violence, a prevalent issue in Papua New Guinea. Efforts to address this problem include the "Senisim Pasin" initiative, which aims to change attitudes towards women and girls through community discussions and educational programs. This campaign has reached remote Malaumanda, where MAF has brought in teams to promote anti-violence education.