Driving Change: Helping Others One Load At A Time

Jul 5, 2024

A Friend Loveth At All Times, And A Brother Is Born For Adversity. Proverbs 17:17 KJV

“HERE IS SOME BACK STORY ON THE TRUCK NEED POPPING UP IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA (PNG). I THINK IT WAS AROUND 2006 THAT WE PURCHASED OUR LITTLE BLUE 1-TON MAZDA DUMP TRUCK. WE BOUGHT IT FROM JAPAN; BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE ORDERED IT ONLINE, UNSEEN!” – Mike Butler, Field Leader in PNG

An image of FIA team moving equipment with a crane.

Little did anyone know just how impactful this “online purchase” would be. “Mazda” has provided years of valuable service to the missionary community living in the town of Wewak and support for the missions working throughout the Sepik region of PNG. Having one of the few reliable trucks strong enough to take on heavy lifting, missionaries would call FIA for help moving everything from water tanks to generators, shipping crates to loads of gravel for concrete projects. We even shuttled around large groups or teams that showed up for mission conferences, training, or to head out to the bush for ministry activity!

An image of FIA team and volunteers with villagers next to a airplane.

Aside from the vehicle service, FIA also provides construction support for building projects and produces furniture to outfit missionary homes (in town and in the bush). Mazda provided the means to deliver raw materials to project sites or up to the NTM aviation hangar to supply flights to mission outposts. FIA would also send the fully loaded truck on a 4-6 hour supply run to the closest access point for the Sepik River, providing Sepik River missionaries with needed supplies to support their remote ministry work.

“THIS LITTLE TRUCK HAS BEEN A GREAT TOOL ALL THESE YEARS, UNTIL LAST YEAR WHEN WE COULDN’T MAINTAIN IT ANYMORE. WITH IT MADE FOR THE JAPANESE MARKET, REPLACEMENT PARTS WE NEEDED HAD BECOME VERY HARD TO FIND – EVEN THOUGH WE STILL NEEDED IT, AND MANY RELIED ON IT, IT WAS TIME FOR IT TO GO.” – Mike Butler

An image of villagers in the back of a work truck taken from FIA mission trip.

We live out Proverbs 17:17, being a Friend at all times, accelerating the work of the Kingdom as we serve. In the middle of uncertainty, having someone you can rely on is like having a cup of cold water on a hot day. It is relief, a balm, and encouragement for a weary soul. 

Practical Support For A Practical Need!

Thus, a new truck is the current critical need for the PNG ministry to keep delivering the practical support our partners depend on.

An image of a newer model of a "hino" truck needed to continue support of missions projects.

We have found a newer model “Hino” truck has been found locally this time (valued at $43,000 USD) and here is how faithful God is: He has already provided half of the funds. With half the funds already available for the purchase, by faith we have made a commitment to move forward.

And we continue to see the Hand of God at work: a donor has committed to match any new “FIA PNG” donations up to a total of $10,000!

Please Join Us In Prayer!

Join us as we thank Him for what He has provided, as we trust Him to move hearts to bring in the rest. Also, would you consider praying for this need, and that those who can give will respond?

“SO THAT’S WHAT WE’RE TRUSTING GOD FOR. THANKS FOR READING, FOR PRAYING, AND FOR CONSIDERING IF THE LORD INTENDS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF THIS STORY TOO.” – Mike Butler