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Marc's Testimony I was born in Toledo, Ohio and was raised in a Christian home. I came to put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior when I was about 7 or 8 years old. My father sat down with me at that time and explained the gospel message to me. I realized that I was a sinner before the Lord, and was headed for an eternity in Hell. I placed my faith in Christ that night. I have come to understand and grow in my relationship with Christ more and more over the years and know that I am saved for all eternity. Monclova Road Baptist Church has allowed me to be involved in many areas of the ministry there. In the Summer of 1998 I did an internship with my pastor. He had me involved in many different areas of ministry during the summer, including: evangelism, youth group, Sunday School, VBS, visiting the sick, and general needs that needed to be met around the church. Other ministry experience I have includes teaching in prison ministries and other evangelistic outreach ministries in coordination with both my church and the mission training. In the Summer of 2001 My wife and I did a six week summer partnership program with Durkeetown Baptist Church in Fort Edward New York. During this time we were again involved in many of the same type of ministries I was involved with in 1998 with Monclova Road. I am thankful for the opportunities the Lord has given me to serve in the past and am looking forward to what He has for me and my wife in the future. Alison's Testimony I was raised in a Christian home and grew up near Saratoga Springs, NY in the smaller town of Schuylerville. At the age of 4 came to understand that I was a sinner and in need of a Savior. I placed my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ that day, in June of 1983. My sister, who was only 5 ½ at the time, sat me down and explained the message of salvation to me. Over the years I have grown in my relationship with the Lord, and have seen the great need for the followers of Christ to bring the Gospel of Christ to the nations of the world. I have always known that I would somehow be involved in over-seas missions, and have followed the Lord's leading to work with New Tribes Mission. I have done much over the years that I attended Durkeetown Baptist Church, such as Nursery work, Vacation Bible School, and singing in the Choir. I also served the summers of 1993, 1994, and 1995 with Child Evangelism Fellowship, teaching 5-day Clubs and Vacation Bible Schools. I have been to Papua New Guinea twice with New Tribes Mission Short-Term missions trips, and Australia once also with New Tribes. I worked with my husband's church, Monclova Road Baptist Church, during the summer of 2000, painting walls and helping out with the VBS program. During my training for missions, I have had the opportunity to teach chronologically at an after-school Bible Club, do one-on-one evangelism, and share testimonies in church and Sunday School meetings. Our Ministry
Country Facts Full country
name: The Independent State of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea is a raw land, remarkably untamed and as variegated as swamp and jagged limestone, mud and moss forest, suffocating heat and Highland chill, plumed, pearl-shelled villagers and prosaic hill people, tiny tree kangaroos and enormous Queen Alexandra Birdwing butterflies. It is this diversity that has, for so long, excited a raft of explorers, anthropologists and travellers. There are four regional, cultural and political groups: Papuans (from the south), Highlanders, New Guineans (from the north) and Islanders. Some authorities divide the people into Papuans (predominantly descended from the original arrivals) and Melanesians (more closely related to the peoples of the southwest Pacific), though some people (particularly those in outlying islands) are closer to being pure Polynesian or Micronesian. The dividing lines between these definitions is very hazy. There are over 823 languages in PNG (representing about one third of the world's indigenous languages). This dizzying array has brought about the need for a lingua franca, and Pidgin (or Neo-Melanesian) has gained in importance and prestige in recent years and is great fun to learn. Borrowing words from many languages, it is primarily derived from English and German, but only covers about 1300 words. Many educated people would, however, prefer that you speak in English because Pidgin is seen as the vulgate of the bullying expatriate. Another popular language is Motu (or 'Police Motu'), the local second language of the Port Moresby coastal area.
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We have both traveled to Papua New Guinea on short-term trips and have seen
the need for the gospel in this land. Many people in PNG live in remote locations living
in a world of spiritual darkness, without hope. They are in constant fear of the many
spirits they believe control every aspect of life. These isolated people live in poverty.
They live in grass huts, without electricity, running water, and have little access to
adequate medical facilities. In addition, they have little or no access to the Bible in
their own language. Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse nation in the
world, home to 823 different and distinct language groups. Less than 18% of these
languages have an adequate New Testament. (Operation World 2002) As missionaries we have
been trained to learn an unwritten language and culture, and to live in a remote area.
Once we know their language , Literacy is also taught and teaching will be done in their
own heart language, as well as scripture translation and Bible lessons. The gospel is
presented chronologically, starting with key Old Testament stories leading up to the
birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ. Christ being presented as the solution to
man’s problem of sin, and faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross as the
only means to salvation.