Silence! Not a word, not a movement, only silence. We had just finished teaching about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We had presented the Gospel message clearly. After months of teaching the climax had been presented. I ended the morning by giving the Patpatar people a chance to respond and then I sat down. No one moved. No one talked. There was only an awkward silence over the crowd.

You see, this message of the cross was different from anything they had ever heard. They had heard of God, they had heard of Jesus, they had even heard about Jesus dying, but they had never heard about salvation by faith through the grace of God. The concept that the way to eternal life in heaven with God was not through their own effort, ability, and works was revolutionary. The fact that Jesus was the way to the Father, and that believing in His work on the cross for their sins was the good news was new.

If the Patpatar truly believed this message they would be turning their back on everything they have ever heard and known. In this community driven society they would be turning their back on what their ancestors taught them, what their clans taught them, and even what their churches taught them. They would be turning from their dependence on the spirits, their good works, their religious efforts, and their social strivings to be accepted by God, to a dependence on the Son of God who paid the price for their sin. If they believed the Gospel message they would be set free from sin and bondage, but would seemingly also be ostracized from the tribe.

The silence was frustrating and we wondered if we had communicated clearly. Then when we began to talk one on one with the Patpatar people we began to be encouraged. Over and over again we heard that “God’s talk” was clear to them, that they understood the message and that it was different from what they had heard before, but it was good. We answered them that merely understanding the message was not enough and that they had to personally put their trust in Jesus as their Savior to be delivered from sin and hell. Here are some of the responses that followed:

“This school is different from what we believed. Don’t be fooled when some of us seemed to know the answers because we knew some of God’s Talk before. We just got a piece here and a piece there, and tried to get to God through a big process. I want the others (those who weren’t at the teaching) to believe like I do now. I believe in Jesus’ work for me. His blood paid for my sins. I am not good enough to pay for them. He was the only one that was the perfect lamb so my sins could be paid completely. I thank God that His Talk has been made clear to me. I thank God that He sent you two (Butch and Aaron) here so we could hear the good news.” - Tokiung

“When you started to teach ‘God’s Talk’ I was not ‘one stomach’ (in agreement) with you. I didn’t want to hear the talk and I didn’t want you to be here. Then one day I went to hear the teaching. The talk fought with my stomach (really made me ponder). I started to come all the time. Now I have heard the work of Jesus. I couldn’t sleep last night because that horrible suffering Jesus endured was for me. He did the work for me to get to heaven. Now I want everybody to hear this message.” - Matias

“Belief is the way. I believe in Jesus’ work that He died and rose for me.” - Maria

“I came with lots of questions in my head. I didn’t want to throw them out. I wanted to hear God’s Talk from the beginning to the end so that it would go inside and answer those questions. Now I am clear. The questions have been answered. I know that I am a sinner and can’t get to God on my own. I am clear now on the way to heaven. That Jesus died for those sins and it is by belief in Him that God will accept me.” - Pius

“I had to miss two days of this school to help with a village event. When I was there I didn’t want to be there, I wanted to be back here at the teaching. I don’t get the answers at the village. I get the answers made clear to me at the school of God’s Talk.” - Tika

“I used to be in Satan’s clan because I am a sinner. I tried to do good works, follow the laws of the church, even appease the spirits, but now I know that was not enough for me to get to God. I am now trusting in Jesus’ work for me – He died, He was put in the tomb, and He rose to pay for my sin. He is the only way to God. I am believing in Him! Yes, the Spirit of God has given birth to me in God’s clan now.” - Tamrau

Praise God that there are Patpatar Believers! Pray for us as we continue to talk with individuals and try to bring clarity to the Gospel. Continue to pray for the Patpatar as many now know the truth and are struggling with whether to accept or reject the Gospel. Pray for those who have trusted Christ as their Savior and are now are our brothers and sister in “God’s clan” as they may very well face opposition. Next Tuesday we have a village feast to celebrate the teaching of “God’s Talk.” Those who heard the Gospel know that they will have a chance to publicly testify about how God’s Talk affected them.

Thank you so much for your prayers, your support, and your part to reach the Patpatar. God’s work among them has only just begun!



For His Glory,

Aaron

Aaron, Lori, Avalon, Sierra, and Kylee Luse
Missionaries with New Tribes Mission
Among the Patpatar in Papua New Guinea
 

New Tribes Mission

Papua New Guinea

That God would use our family and support team to reach the Patpatar people with the good news of Jesus Christ.