Rascals at Work

When we talk about ‘rascals’ here in PNG, the meaning is very different than back in Canada, where they are nothing more than mischievous little kids. Here the rascals are the criminals and sadly sometimes they are just little kids, but they’ve chosen a life of serious crime.

Over the past few days, our church community experienced just how dangerous the rascals can be. Our church property is on the edge of a settlement called Kamkumung, an area that is notorious for its ‘rascal activity’. We’ve been there for about 4 years now and have had only a couple instances with some guys trying to jump over the fence, or throwing rocks at the house. But last week Friday, in the wee hours of the morning, a group of rascals decided to cut a hole in the fence in one of the back corners and try to get into the pastor’s house. There is no pastor living there at present, as our former pastor is helping out a church in Port Moresby right now. However, his daughters, one of whom is married with a newborn little one, and the other 2 who are in high school, do still live in the house along with an older man from our church. The rascals didn’t get into the house because the iron door leading onto the porch stopped them. And then some neighbours eventually ran them off the property. The police had been called, but didn’t bother to answer the telephone. They also called us on our cell phone, but it was downstairs and we did not hear it ringing. We’re not sure what we could’ve done anyway. It was an extremely traumatic experience for the girls and as a result, the husband of the oldest daughter came home early from his place of work (normally he’s gone for 6 weeks at a time) to be with them.

Everyone thought that it would be a while before the rascals came again. But that certainly was not the case. Last night they struck again, but this time they came with a larger group and were armed with guns. They were able to get into the house and stole everything of value. We are so thankful that they did not harm the girls, but again it was terrorizing for them. The older man living in the house tried to defend them and ended up being cut on his head and arms. Ian took him to the hospital this morning and it seems he will be alright, although he was shaken up from what happened. He is a frail, old man and yet he was selfless enough to try to protect the girls.

The house at Kamkumung:


When something like this happens, you experience such a range of emotions—thankfulness that thing weren’t any worse, but also anger and frustration that rascals can get away with this. You especially feel for the national brothers and sisters who are most often the victims. And yet you also feel vulnerable yourself. When the police don't respond, you understand why people take the law into their own hands. You feel discouraged, afraid, and uncertain about what to do next. You know that Satan will try to use this situation to destroy and discourage. But you also know that the Lord will use it to make you more reliant on Him. He is more powerful than any band of rascals, no matter how many guns and knives they hold! We go forward in His strength and power.

Please pray for brother Rumanasen that his injuries will heal quickly. He’s staying with another family from the church until he’s better.

Please pray for the Bouway girls, who are staying at their mother’s village for a couple weeks. They are away from their parents, and experienced much trauma, and it is uncertain where they will live when they come back to Lae.

Please pray for the rascals—that the Lord will convict their hearts to confess and repent and turn from their lives of sin.