Augustina and Agnes

I can't imagine what it would be like to be woken in the early hours of the morning by the sound of drums and war cries, and knowing this meant you had to jump out of bed, leave your home and run for your life. No time to pack up or get the kids dressed--just run! This was what a woman from our church, Augustina, and many other Sepik people, experienced a few weeks ago in a town called Bulolo, about 100km from Lae. Their hearts must've been pounding in their ears right along with the drums as they fled from the warriors of the Buang tribe who were out to avenge the death of one of their own. Augustina and the rest of the Sepiks eventually took refuge in a PNG Foresty building, while the police intervened to try to settle things between the two tribes.

Bulolo has been home for these Sepik people for four generations. But any homes they had there were burned to the ground by the Buang tribe. Life as they knew it is no more. Their gardens were also ruined. As they fled, they left places of employment and their children left school in the middle of the year. Such upheaval.

We were worried about Augustina and did not know if she was dead or alive. But thankfully the Lord protected her and her son who was with her and brought them back to Lae about a week ago. The police escorted all the women and children here, while the men stayed behind. Possibly some of these families will choose to stay here permanently. Others, about 300 of them, have already been repatriated back to the Sepik province--many beginning the long journey "home" with tears in their eyes.

We are thankful that Augustina is back safe and sound! But we also do continue to pray for the displaced Sepik people and a peaceful resolution to the tribal feud.

And Agnes is doing much better too-another reason for thanksgiving to God! Every time we see her, she seems a bit stronger and more her 'old self'! (That is, passionate, outspoken, even a bit fiery at times!) Praise God for healing!