Making pals among the Pals

Missionary Mason Lockwood just returned from visiting eight Pal villages in Papua New Guinea.

Mason wrote, "We hiked for seven days, visited eight villages, listened to four all night singing parties, gave free meals to a number of leeches, and did a whole bunch of talking, laughing and just hanging out. What we found was an intensely welcoming people group with absolutely no [awareness] of the Gospel message. We have interviewed everyone from kids to village chiefs, and found in all instances zero understanding of the sufficiency of Christ's work on their behalf."

Mason and his wife, Kim, are now making plans to live and work among the Pal people. They will begin to build relationships, learn the culture and language and eventually teach evangelistic Bible lessons so that the Pals can hear the Gospel message.

The NTM Papua New Guinea leadership team has given the Lockwoods permission to begin the ministry to the Pals but gave them a list of things to accomplish before they move in.

• Obtain a written invitation from the Pal people.

• Gain a better understanding of the language groups in the area.

• Have adequate funds for building their home, and the helicopter flight needed to transport the family and their belongings into the village.

Currently Mason and Kim are staying at the support center while they gather information and make plans for moving into a remote tribal village with their three small children.

Pray for Mason and Kim as they prepare for this huge task. Pray also that God will prepare the hearts of the Pal people to receive His message.