We cannot do it alone! Effective ministry hinges on God putting the right people in the right place at the right time—for the right jobs. Strategic positioning is like Esther’s providential placement “for such a time as this.”
We are so grateful for how God illustrated this remarkably when He led veteran missionaries Jack and Elana Sample and their daughter Corrie back to Papua New Guinea a few years ago after several years in their home country. Not only did they translate vital discipleship resources into the local trade language (which my wife Joella and I will be able to use), but they also helped make a mission house in Ama a reality for us. God worked through them to do what we could not possibly do for ourselves.
The Samples have now decided to move back to the United States. Although our time in PNG may have overlapped only briefly, the Sample’s impact will live on. We clearly see God’s providence in the timing of their ministry to PNG, as well as in our call to the Ama.
The day Joella and I arrived in PNG, Corrie met us at the airport. She introduced us to some key local friends who made navigating a strange city to get supplies much easier, and who helped us ship our cargo to the island’s north side. Corrie then flew with us for two hours to the port town of Wewak and accompanied us on the approximately 14-hour journey along 100 miles of bumpy roads and 150 miles of waterways. At that point, Jack stepped in. His relationship with a logging company allowed us to climb out of the canoe and into the back of a dump truck for a ride along their logging road through the rainforest and over a mountain—all the way into Ama.
Over the years, Joella and Corrie have been like sisters. While we waited for our supplies to arrive from the capital, the Samples made us feel at home. We were so blessed by Elana’s delicious cooking and gracious hospitality!
The Samples modeled what it means to live in PNG: trusting God while learning to expect the unexpected, like when Joella came down with strange medical symptoms. Once again, Corrie kindly helped us. She knew a friend who could provide immediate assistance, even if that eventually meant getting us to a larger hospital for further help.
To serve the Ama, we need a home. I have little building experience, but Jack has excellent construction skills and offered to build us a mission house, milling the lumber. What an AMAZING blessing! God has been faithfully guiding the timing of the house completion and our return to Ama. Meanwhile, Corrie has been sending us construction updates these last several months that Joella and I have been in the States, while Joella has been healing from the two rare diseases she contracted soon after we arrived in Papua New Guinea.
The Samples have shown us God’s love in a practical way, tremendously encouraging us. So have you. You are also part of God’s strategic positioning, “also helping together by prayer,” and each selfless donation of partnership. Together, God is using us to reach the Ama. Thank you!
