Caleb here, a blog post from me
As we finished our recent term in Moka last year, we’ve been reflecting on what the Lord has accomplished over the past 4 years in Moka. It has been a season of hard work, deep joy, and many reminders that Gospel missions truly are a front-line advance into territory long held by the enemy.
Yet even as we labor, we are constantly reminded that this work ultimately belongs to our God. The progress of the Gospel does not depend on human strength, but on the sovereign hand of the Lord who opens hearts and draws people to Himself.
One of the biggest milestones this past term was the completion of the grass airstrip near Moka. What began years ago as a distant dream slowly became a reality through long days of labor—clearing jungle, leveling ground, and persevering through many setbacks. After eight years of work, planes can now land directly in Moka. That airstrip will serve as a lifeline for the Gospel work here for years to come.
But the airstrip is only part of what happened this past term.
Throughout the term we continued traveling up and down the river to surrounding villages, preaching the Word of God to people who have no exposure to the Gospel. In places like these, many are hearing the message of Christ clearly for the very first time.
Translation work also moved forward. Portions of Scripture such as Jonah, Ruth, and 1 Timothy were translated, and we completed work on the Gospel of Mark. In addition, we preached through Genesis chapters 1–11, laying a foundation for understanding who God is, why sin entered the world, and why humanity desperately needs redemption.
One of the most meaningful parts of the work has been visiting families in their homes. Often we sit down with them, share a simple meal together, and then open God’s Word with the whole household gathered around. These moments are quiet, personal, and powerful—seeds of truth being planted in a place where spiritual darkness has long prevailed.
The reality is that missions is not simply travel or humanitarian work. It is spiritual warfare against the kingdom of darkness.
Every village where Christ is not known is territory where darkness has had influence for generations. When the Gospel arrives, it is nothing less than a direct assault on the kingdom of Satan.
Yet the missionary does not go alone, nor does the success of the mission depend on him. God Himself is the One advancing His kingdom.
David Brainerd, the pioneer missionary to the American Indians, once wrote:
“I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could but gain souls to Christ.”
This desire has marked pioneer Gospel work throughout history—God’s missionaries pressing forward into difficult places, trusting that God is able to save anyone, even the remote people of Moka.
Scripture reminds us that the mission ultimately rests in God’s sovereign plan and power:
Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
Because Christ possesses all authority, we go with confidence that the Gospel will accomplish exactly what God intends.
Our prayer for Moka is simple but profound: that the Lord would save people. We long to see men and women come to true repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ. We want to see people able to read the Scriptures in their own language, and ultimately we hope to see a local church planted in this village.
For now, our family is stateside visiting many of you—our partnering churches and friends—to share what God has been doing. Lord willing, we plan to return to Papua New Guinea the end of July.
While we are away, please pray that God’s Spirit would continue to work among the people in Moka, and that when we return we would find that the Lord has been opening hearts to the Gospel.
This kind of pioneer Gospel work has always been a team effort. Every prayer, every encouragement, and every partnership strengthens the work on the front lines of missions.
None of this work happens apart from the sovereign purposes of God. The same Lord who rules over nations and history is the One who gathers people to Himself from every tribe and language.
The jungle may be remote, but the mission remains clear: to see people brought out of darkness and into the kingdom of Christ and the light of the Gospel.
As we plan to return to Moka later this year, we are grateful for those who continue to stand with us in this work. If the Lord leads you to partner with us—whether through prayer, encouragement, or financial support—you become part of what God is doing in places where Christ is still largely unknown.
Let us keep pressing the Gospel forward into the darkness, trusting that the Lord will build His church—even in the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea.