Shoebox Gifts Open Doors After Landslide and War in Papua New Guinea
On July 13, chaperoned by the national guard, local churches and Samaritan’s Purse ministry partners led a convoy of trucks filled with 1,600 shoebox-gifts on a 6-hour journey through the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Since 2021, Operation Christmas Child has been unable to host outreach events for fear of violence, kidnapping and robbery. Tribal fighting has gripped the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea, claiming hundreds of lives as tribal groups dispute territory and resources. The May 24 landslide in Enga province that killed more than 160 and displaced hundreds more has further exasperated communities in desperate need for relief from conflict and disaster.
In June, staff from Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association met with members of the provincial disaster committee in Wabag—Enga’s capital, to determine how to equip local churches to respond to the communities impacted by fighting and disaster.
“We were really heartbroken to see the shoebox-gifts not given out. During 2022 and 2023 we had received no shoeboxes due to the ethnic clashes in Wabag (Enga’s capital). Most of our ministry partners couldn’t come to our area, there was a lot of fear.”
– Pastor Kila, OCC National Team – PNG
Mourning Gives Way to Joy
In the months since the landslide, the village of Mulitaka its surrounding communities have had little to celebrate. Displaced survivors have been suspended in state of mourning and fear as the constant threat of geological instability remains. Humanitarian aid has been delivered in abundance to the provincial capital, however transporting it to those impacted has been challenging due to road closures and safety from conflict.
Over 300 children attended the first outreach event, many were adorned with clay markings on their faces, a symbol of mourning for those lost in the landslide. After waiting patiently as organisers grouped boys and girls by age, what followed shocked all who were in attendance. Led by trained staff and volunteers, the children sang Christian choruses of praise together, evoking the emotions of all who were in attendance.
“I saw the children singing and it brought tears to my eyes. That these children here are the future of Mulitaka”
– District Administrator Mako
It has been 3 years since Operation Christmas Child teams have been able to safely reach Mulitaka to host an outreach event to present shoebox gifts and distribute The Greatest Gift booklet. Following the presentation of the gospel in their native language, several boys and girls went on to raise their hand, indicating their decision to accept Jesus as their saviour.
Following the first, several more outreach events have been planned to reach hundreds more boys and girls in Mulitaka and the surrounding regions where of the displaced survivors live.
Relief, Comfort and Joy
Through ministry and church partners of Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse International Relief was provided the opportunity to respond to landslide survivors. More than 200 kitchen kits containing a bucket for fetching water, cooking pots, a kettle, cups, bowls and utensils were packed by local churches in Mt Hagen. The kits accompanied the shoebox gifts and were distributed by the local churches in Enga to bless women and children in a practical way.
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Chaplains from Australia were also invited to host Sharing Hope in Crisis to provide training for church leaders to equip their congregations to care for those in their community impacted by conflict and disaster.
One participant, a youth leader, Faith Lasala shared her key take away from the training was to be an active listener without judgement.
“A lot of young people today they have so many questions, they have scars, and don’t want to share their secrets, but I can just sit close to them and listen with my heart ….And now I learnt I can also make Jesus very simple to them”.
We are so grateful to all who have joined us to pray and support our response towards our Pacific neighbours. Your gifts and support enabled the equipping of the local churches in Papua New Guinea to unite across denominations to support their communities in Jesus’ Name.