American missionary Cory Rowley shares an unforgettable moment as he welcomes the first landing at Sorita—a testament to faith, service, and the shared vision of an isolated community.
Story by Kowara Bell
There were tears of joy and heartfelt appreciation as the MAF plane touched down on Sorita’s newly constructed runway, marking a significant moment for a rural community and the missionaries who call it home.
“When the plane flew over the airstrip before landing, I looked at my wife and said, ‘Wow, I’m almost in tears,’” said missionary Cory Rowley, reflecting on the moment a week earlier when MAF successfully completed the test landing in Sorita ahead of the first official flight.
“Not only did we witness God at work in making the airstrip possible, but we also saw the joy of the people of Sorita, and even now, I’m still feeling that same joy from seeing the plane land,” he said.
The Sorita community sits on a ridge about a kilometre from an existing airstrip at Karimui.
To use the Karimui airstrip, the Sorita people relied on walking, or trying to catch a ride on the only vehicle along the only road in the entire district. Apart from this handmade, rough road between Sorita and Karimui, there are no other roads in this area. It is two days’ walk from the road link to the nearest town.
Cory shared that the newly opened airstrip at Sorita will be a great assistance, creating more opportunities to reach the people through direct flights that are only half an hour from town.
“Now we can reach the people here and share the gospel closer to the community – and have no more long walks back and forth to Karimui,” Cory said
Crucially, the new airstrip also enables the local people to transport their cacao beans to town for sale, while making it easier for Cory’s family to bring in supplies and restock.
“This airstrip serves both their needs and the work of the Lord,” said Cory.
The airstrip was a community effort sparked by the vision of a local cacao farmer determined to bring convenient transportation service to his community.
This airstrip serves both their needs and the work of the Lord
Norman Mondo, who initiated the construction of the airstrip, expressed that due to high passenger demand, cacao farmers often struggle to get their produce onto flights out of Karimui, leaving their bags of cacao beans to spoil over time.
“This new airstrip will make it easier for the missionary to travel to and from town, and it will also help local cacao farmers transport our beans to market,” said Norman.
“That means more cacao bags can be taken to market, generating income for the people.”
Norman also acknowledged Cory’s unwavering help in coordinating with MAF and the Rural Airstrip Agency to help make the airstrip operational.
“I’m so grateful to have missionary Cory and his family serving here in such a remote place.
They left the comfort of their home to live among us, and we are truly blessed by their presence.
“Even though we come from different church backgrounds, that doesn’t matter, what matters is sharing the goodness of God’s Gospel through the work we do hand in hand,” Norman said.
With the deep sense of calling that drives the Rowleys’ mission, Cory reflects on their purpose in Papua New Guinea.
“It’s not our thinking or our plans, the Lord has sent us here for a purpose,” he added.