Taking the Gospel to the Jungle: Adult Mission Story for March 14, 2026

As told to Maika Tuima by Mereseini Galuvakadua

Deep in the lush, rugged heartland of Papua New Guinea, a young man named Andrew heard a call that would change his life forever.

Born into a Christian family, Andrew grew up with stories of God’s love. But everything changed the day Pastor Tom Carawah arrived in his rural village. With stirring messages about Jesus’s return and the truth of the Sabbath, the pastor awakened Andrew’s curiosity. He attended every meeting, hungry to understand more about the Bible and the God who calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Soon, Andrew was active in the local Adventist community. For two years, he studied Scripture with growing passion. His heart burned with a desire to do more than just believe—he wanted to lead, preach, and serve.

Then God opened a door. The district director of the local Adventist churches recognized Andrew’s potential and offered to send him to layperson training. If he agreed, he would become a volunteer pastor in one of the country’s remote regions.

Andrew said yes—and walked into a life of challenge, faith, and miracles.

Andrew’s mission took him deep into the jungle. Some villages were so remote that it took three days of walking, river crossings, and sleeping in the bush to reach them. He trudged through, driven by one mission: to share the good news of Jesus.

But the challenges were not just physical.

“There were times I would spend days with villagers, praying and teaching,” Andrew said. “Some would accept, others would reject. I learned to move on but never give up.”

Spiritual opposition was real. Some communities were suspicious of Adventists, and Andrew sometimes faced harsh words and cold shoulders. But he kept going, comforted by the lives that were changing. He saw the sick healed, hearts opened, and truth take root in the unlikeliest places.

Life as a jungle missionary wasn’t just hard—it was often heartbreaking. There were days when Andrew and his wife had no food, money, or help. One week, they went without a single meal. Sitting in the jungle in the missionary house, they turned to the only source of strength they had left—worship. They began to sing.

In the middle of their singing, a stranger appeared.

“He asked us to look outside,” Andrew remembers. “We didn’t find food. But we found money. God had sent provision.”

Moments like that became the pillars of Andrew’s faith.

In 2012, God opened another door. Thanks to the sponsorship of an Australian Adventist pilot, Andrew enrolled at the Omaura Adventist School of Ministry. He recalls that the institution was much smaller then, but like today, it served a significant purpose. Andrew trained for a year, learning how to share biblical truths and practical skills, before being assigned to serve a church of more than 200 members. In just one year, his efforts led to 120 baptisms and the construction of a brand-new church.

However, Andrew’s most unforgettable moment came during PNG for Christ, a nationwide evangelistic campaign involving General Conference President Ted Wilson. In a remote jungle village, Andrew humbly helped baptize 874 new members into the eternal family of God.

This life-changing experience deepened Andrew’s calling. A few months later, God provided another opportunity to develop his spiritual leadership. The Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea sponsored Andrew to return to the Omaura Adventist School of Ministry for advanced training. He’s preparing for whatever mission lies ahead—whether a jungle path or a city street.

“I’ve prepared my heart to go wherever God sends me,” Andrew says resolutely. “Wherever I go, there is always a blessing in doing God’s work.”

Your generous offering for this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help the Omaura Adventist School of Ministry equip men and women to share the good news in Papua New Guinea. Thank you for your faithful giving!