🌎 Kingdom Nations Series – Part 136
🇵🇬 Chapter 1 – Part 1
Papua New Guinea: The Land of a Thousand Peoples
Ancient Melanesian Peoples, Highland Societies, the Sepik River, New Guinea, Linguistic Diversity, Traditional Culture, Christianity, German and Australian Rule, World War II, Independence, Tribal Traditions, Biodiversity, Gold and Natural Resources, Modern Politics, Economic Development, and Papua New Guinea's Kingdom Calling
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues." — Revelation 7:9
Introduction
Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse nations on Earth.
It occupies the eastern half of the island of:
New Guinea
along with:
Hundreds of surrounding islands.
Its story reaches through:
Ancient migrations.
Highland agriculture.
Coastal societies.
River civilizations.
Hundreds of languages.
Thousands of clans.
Traditional spiritual systems.
European exploration.
German colonial rule.
Australian administration.
World War II.
Christian missions.
Independence.
Tribal traditions.
Gold.
Copper.
Natural gas.
Rainforests.
Coral reefs.
Birds of paradise.
Modern politics.
And one of the world's most remarkable:
living laboratories of human cultural diversity.
Papua New Guinea is not one single culture.
It is:
many peoples sharing one nation.
Where Is Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of:
New Guinea
the world's second-largest island.
New Guinea
The western half of New Guinea is:
Indonesia.
The eastern half is:
Papua New Guinea.
Australia
Papua New Guinea lies immediately north of:
Australia.
Torres Strait
The:
Torres Strait
separates Papua New Guinea from:
Australia.
Pacific Ocean
Papua New Guinea also extends into:
The western Pacific.
Bismarck Sea
The:
Bismarck Sea
lies north of the main island.
Solomon Sea
The:
Solomon Sea
lies to the east.
Coral Sea
The:
Coral Sea
lies southeast of the country.
An Island Nation
Papua New Guinea contains:
The mainland.
New Britain.
New Ireland.
Bougainville.
Manus.
The Trobriand Islands.
The Bismarck Archipelago.
And hundreds of smaller islands.
Port Moresby
The capital is:
Port Moresby.
Port Moresby
Port Moresby lies along:
The Gulf of Papua.
Gulf of Papua
The gulf is one of the country's major:
Coastal environments.
Highlands
The interior is dominated by:
mountains.
New Guinea Highlands
The:
New Guinea Highlands
contain enormous mountain ranges.
Mount Wilhelm
The highest mountain in Papua New Guinea is:
Mount Wilhelm.
Elevation
Mount Wilhelm rises above:
4,500 meters.
Highland Valleys
Between the mountains are:
Highland valleys.
Agriculture
These valleys have supported:
Agriculture
for thousands of years.
Ancient Agriculture
Papua New Guinea contains evidence of some of the world's oldest:
agricultural systems.
Kuk Early Agricultural Site
The:
Kuk Early Agricultural Site
in the Highlands provides evidence of ancient:
Wetland cultivation.
Agriculture
People cultivated:
Taro.
Bananas.
Yams.
Sugarcane.
Pandanus.
Other crops.
Independent Agricultural Development
Agriculture developed in New Guinea largely independently from:
The agricultural centers of the Middle East.
Highland Innovation
Highland peoples developed sophisticated systems for:
Drainage.
Gardening.
Irrigation.
Land management.
Swamp Agriculture
Wetlands could be transformed into:
Productive gardens.
Human Ingenuity
The Highlands demonstrate:
Human beings can create agriculture in extraordinarily difficult environments.
Ancient Settlement
People have inhabited New Guinea for:
At least tens of thousands of years.
Sahul
During the Ice Age, New Guinea was connected by lower sea levels to:
Australia.
Sahul
The combined landmass is often called:
Sahul.
First Peoples
The ancestors of Papua New Guinea's Indigenous peoples were among:
The earliest humans to reach the wider Pacific region.
Migration
Their ancestors traveled across:
Southeast Asia.
Ocean Crossing
Some migrations required:
Open-water crossings.
Ancient Navigation
This demonstrates extraordinary:
Seafaring ability.
Melanesia
Papua New Guinea forms part of:
Melanesia.
Melanesian World
Melanesia includes:
Papua New Guinea.
Solomon Islands.
Vanuatu.
New Caledonia.
and neighboring regions.
Cultural Diversity
Papua New Guinea contains:
Hundreds of distinct peoples.
Languages
It has approximately:
800-plus living languages.
Linguistic Diversity
No other country is generally recognized as having:
More living languages.
Language Families
The languages belong to several major families.
Trans-New Guinea
A large number belong to:
Trans-New Guinea
language groupings.
Austronesian
Many coastal and island languages belong to:
Austronesian
families.
Tok Pisin
One of the country's major lingua francas is:
Tok Pisin.
Tok Pisin
Tok Pisin developed from:
English-based contact language.
English
English is an official language.
Hiri Motu
Another important language is:
Hiri Motu.
Three Major Official Languages
Papua New Guinea officially recognizes:
English.
Tok Pisin.
Hiri Motu.
Language
Language is one of Papua New Guinea's greatest:
National treasures.
A Thousand Peoples
The phrase:
"land of a thousand tribes"
is sometimes used to describe Papua New Guinea.
But More Than Tribes
The reality is more complex.
People identify through:
Clan.
Village.
Language.
Region.
Kinship.
Custom.
Clan
The:
clan
is one of the foundational social institutions.
Kinship
Kinship determines:
Identity.
Marriage.
Land relationships.
Obligations.
Leadership.
Land
Land is often connected to:
Ancestry.
Ancestral Land
Land is not merely:
Property.
Identity
For many communities, land represents:
Identity.
History.
Spiritual connection.
Highlands
Highland societies developed complex:
Clan systems.
Warfare
Some highland communities historically practiced:
Intergroup warfare.
Tribal Conflict
Conflicts could involve:
Land.
Women.
Honor.
Resources.
Revenge.
Compensation
Traditional systems sometimes used:
Compensation
to settle disputes.
Peacemaking
Compensation could help restore:
Relationships.
Reconciliation
Traditional reconciliation systems offer lessons about:
Community restoration.
Kingdom Principle
Biblical peace also requires:
Restoration.
Sepik River
One of Papua New Guinea's great geographic features is:
the Sepik River.
Sepik
The Sepik is one of the largest rivers in:
Oceania.
River Civilization
Communities along the Sepik developed distinctive:
Art.
Architecture.
Ritual traditions.
Sepik Art
Sepik carvings are famous around the world.
Wood Carving
Artists create:
Masks.
Figures.
Ceremonial objects.
Spirit Houses
Traditional communities built:
haus tambaran
or:
Spirit houses.
Haus Tambaran
These structures could serve as:
Ceremonial centers.
Crocodile
The crocodile is an important symbol in parts of:
Sepik culture.
Crocodile Initiation
Some communities historically practiced:
Ritual scarification associated with:
Crocodile symbolism.
Cultural Transformation
Many such practices have changed substantially through:
Christianity.
Modern education.
Government law.
Respect
Traditional cultures should be studied with:
Respect.
Christianity
Christianity has become the dominant:
Religious tradition
in Papua New Guinea.
Missionaries
Christian missionaries began arriving in significant numbers during:
The nineteenth century.
Catholic Missions
Catholic missionaries established:
Schools.
Churches.
Clinics.
Protestant Missions
Protestant missionaries also established:
Churches.
Schools.
Medical ministries.
Lutheran Church
The:
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea
has a particularly important history.
Anglican Church
Anglican Christianity also has a significant presence.
United Church
The:
United Church in Papua New Guinea
is another major Protestant tradition.
Evangelical Christianity
Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity are widespread.
Christianity and Culture
Christianity became intertwined with:
Local languages.
Music.
Education.
Community life.
Translation
The Bible has been translated into:
Many Papua New Guinean languages.
Language and Gospel
Bible translation has helped preserve:
Local languages.
Gospel
The Gospel can enter a culture without requiring:
Every culture to become identical.
Pentecost
The biblical model is:
Many languages.
One Gospel.
Acts 2
At Pentecost, people heard:
The message of God
in their:
Own languages.
Papua New Guinea
Few countries illustrate this principle more clearly than:
Papua New Guinea.
Mission
The missionary challenge remains enormous because:
Hundreds of languages exist.
Bible Translation
There remains a need for:
Scripture translation.
Literacy
Education and literacy remain important tools for:
Community development.
Health
Christian missions historically established:
Medical clinics.
Education
Mission schools helped create:
Modern education systems.
Healthcare
Christian hospitals and clinics continue serving:
Communities.
Australian Rule
Papua New Guinea's colonial history eventually became closely connected with:
Australia.
German New Guinea
Germany controlled parts of:
Northeastern New Guinea.
German New Guinea
The German territory included:
Northeastern New Guinea.
and:
The Bismarck Archipelago.
Kaiser-Wilhelmsland
German New Guinea included:
Kaiser-Wilhelmsland.
New Britain
Germany also controlled:
New Britain.
New Ireland
Germany controlled:
New Ireland.
World War I
During World War I, Australian forces took control of:
German New Guinea.
Australian Administration
Australia subsequently administered:
Papua and New Guinea.
Papua
The southern territory was separately administered by:
Australia.
Territory of Papua and New Guinea
The territories were eventually merged into:
Papua and New Guinea.
World War II
Papua New Guinea became one of the major theaters of:
World War II.
Japanese Expansion
Japan occupied parts of:
New Guinea.
and:
The surrounding islands.
Kokoda
One of the most famous campaigns occurred along:
the Kokoda Track.
Kokoda Track
The:
Kokoda Track campaign
was fought in:
Australia
Australian troops fought Japanese forces.
Papuan Carriers
Papuan people played a crucial role in:
Supporting Allied forces.
Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels
Papuan carriers became known as:
"Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels"
because of their humanitarian support for wounded soldiers.
Humanitarian Service
They carried:
Wounded soldiers.
Supplies.
Equipment.
Sacrifice
Many local people suffered:
Death.
Disease.
Displacement.
Milne Bay
The:
Battle of Milne Bay
was another important Allied victory.
Buna-Gona
The:
Buna-Gona campaign
was extremely brutal.
New Guinea Campaign
The campaign involved:
Jungle warfare.
Disease.
Starvation.
Extreme terrain.
Japanese and Allied Forces
Both sides suffered enormous:
Losses.
War Legacy
The landscapes of Papua New Guinea contain:
Battlefields.
Aircraft wrecks.
Memorials.
Peace
World War II should remind the nation of:
The cost of war.
Independence
Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia in:
1975.
Independence Day
Independence was declared on:
September 16, 1975.
Michael Somare
The first Prime Minister was:
Michael Somare.
Somare
Somare became one of the most important figures in:
Papua New Guinea's independence movement.
Constitution
Papua New Guinea adopted a:
Constitution.
Democracy
The country became a:
Parliamentary democracy.
Parliament
The:
National Parliament
is located in:
Port Moresby.
Political System
The country uses:
Parliamentary government.
Provincial Government
Papua New Guinea also has:
Provincial governments.
Political Diversity
Political parties are numerous and often:
Coalition-based.
Political Instability
Governments can experience:
Coalition changes.
Leadership challenges.
Modern Politics
Politics often involves:
Regional interests.
Clan networks.
Local relationships.
National policy.
Customary Law
Traditional customs remain important.
Modern Law
Modern courts operate alongside:
Customary dispute resolution.
Land Ownership
Most land is held under:
Customary ownership.
Customary Land
This makes land policy particularly:
Complex.
Natural Resources
Papua New Guinea is rich in:
Natural resources.
Gold
Gold is a major:
Export.
Copper
Copper is also important.
Porgera
The:
Porgera mine
is a major gold-mining operation.
Lihir
The:
Lihir mine
is another major gold producer.
Ok Tedi
The:
Ok Tedi mine
is one of the country's largest mining projects.
Mining
Mining provides:
Government revenue.
Employment.
Exports.
Environmental Costs
Mining can also produce:
Deforestation.
Water pollution.
Waste.
Community conflict.
Kingdom Stewardship
Natural resources should be:
Managed responsibly.
Oil
Papua New Guinea has:
Petroleum resources.
Natural Gas
The country has major:
Natural gas reserves.
LNG
Liquefied natural gas has become a major:
Export.
Papua LNG
Papua New Guinea is developing:
Large natural gas projects.
Economy
The economy combines:
Mining.
Energy.
Agriculture.
Forestry.
Fishing.
Services.
Agriculture
Most Papua New Guineans depend directly or indirectly upon:
Agriculture.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the country's important:
Agricultural exports.
Cocoa
Cocoa is another important:
Cash crop.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is also produced.
Copra
Coconut products remain:
Important.
Subsistence Agriculture
Many communities grow food for:
Local consumption.
Food Crops
Common crops include:
Sweet potatoes.
Taro.
Yams.
Bananas.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is particularly important in:
Highland agriculture.
Fisheries
Papua New Guinea has enormous:
Marine resources.
Tuna
Tuna fishing is an important:
Industry.
Coral Reefs
The country's waters contain:
Extensive coral reefs.
Biodiversity
Papua New Guinea is one of the world's great:
Biodiversity centers.
Rainforests
Its rainforests contain:
Extraordinary species diversity.
Birds of Paradise
Papua New Guinea is famous for:
birds of paradise.
Bird of Paradise
The birds are known for:
Extraordinary plumage.
Evolution
Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace studied:
Birds of paradise
as examples of:
Sexual selection.
Wallace
Alfred Russel Wallace
conducted extensive research in:
The Malay Archipelago.
Wallace Line
The:
Wallace Line
helps explain the distinct biological histories of:
Asian.
and:
Australasian
faunas.
New Guinea
New Guinea lies within the:
Australasian biological realm.
Cassowary
The:
southern cassowary
is another iconic bird.
Tree Kangaroos
Papua New Guinea is home to:
Tree kangaroos.
Echidnas
It also contains:
Echidnas.
Cuscus
Tree-dwelling marsupials include:
Cuscuses.
Crocodiles
The country contains:
Saltwater crocodiles.
Freshwater crocodiles.
Marine Biodiversity
The surrounding seas contain:
Sharks.
Tuna.
Dugongs.
Sea turtles.
Corals.
Whales.
Coral Triangle
Papua New Guinea lies within the broader:
Coral Triangle
region.
Coral Triangle
The Coral Triangle contains some of the world's richest:
Marine biodiversity.
Climate
Papua New Guinea has:
Tropical.
Mountain.
Wetland.
and:
Island
climates.
Rainfall
Some regions receive enormous:
Rainfall.
Mountains
High elevations create:
Cooler climates.
Glaciers
Papua New Guinea historically contained:
Small tropical glaciers.
Mount Wilhelm
Its highest peaks are affected by:
Climate change.
Climate Change
Climate change threatens:
Coasts.
Coral reefs.
Forests.
Agriculture.
Islands.
Sea-Level Rise
Low-lying coastal communities face:
Rising seas.
Coral Bleaching
Warming oceans cause:
Coral bleaching.
Food Security
Climate change threatens:
Agricultural productivity.
El Niño
El Niño events can cause:
Drought.
Drought
Drought can cause:
Crop failures.
Food insecurity.
Earthquakes
Papua New Guinea lies along:
Active tectonic zones.
Volcanoes
The country contains:
Active volcanoes.
Rabaul
Rabaul
is famous for its:
Volcanic landscape.
Tavurvur
Tavurvur
is one of the region's active volcanoes.
Volcanic Risk
Communities must prepare for:
Eruptions.
Tsunamis
Earthquakes can generate:
Tsunamis.
Disaster Preparedness
The nation requires:
Strong disaster preparedness.
Urbanization
Port Moresby has experienced rapid:
Urban growth.
Infrastructure
The country continues developing:
Roads.
Ports.
Airports.
Electricity.
Telecommunications.
Highlands Highway
The:
Highlands Highway
is an important transportation route.
Mountains and Roads
Difficult terrain makes:
Infrastructure expensive.
Rural Isolation
Many villages remain:
Difficult to reach.
Aviation
Small aircraft are essential to:
Remote communities.
Airstrips
Thousands of people depend upon:
Air transport.
Health Challenges
Remote geography makes healthcare:
Difficult to access.
Hospitals
Major hospitals are concentrated in:
Urban centers.
Rural Health
Rural communities depend on:
Clinics.
Community health workers.
Education
Education access varies greatly.
Schools
Many rural communities face:
Limited infrastructure.
Literacy
Improving literacy remains:
A national priority.
Women
Women play crucial roles in:
Agriculture.
Family.
Markets.
Community.
Gender-Based Violence
Papua New Guinea has faced serious challenges involving:
Violence against women.
Protection
Women and children need:
Protection.
Justice.
Support.
Kingdom Justice
The biblical vision requires:
Protection of the vulnerable.
Psalm 82
"Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy."
Children
Children deserve:
Safety.
Education.
Nutrition.
Hope.
Youth
Papua New Guinea has a:
Young population.
Youth Opportunity
Young people need:
Education.
Jobs.
Training.
Entrepreneurship.
Culture
Papua New Guinea's cultural diversity is extraordinary.
Sing Sing
One of the country's most famous cultural events is:
Goroka Show.
Goroka Show
Traditional groups gather wearing:
Traditional costumes.
Paint.
Feathers.
Decorations.
Mount Hagen Show
The:
Mount Hagen Cultural Show
is another major cultural event.
Cultural Preservation
These events celebrate:
Traditional identity.
Bilum
The:
bilum
is a traditional woven bag.
Bilum
Bilums are made by:
Hand.
Art
Traditional art includes:
Carving.
Weaving.
Painting.
Body decoration.
Body Art
Traditional body painting has deep:
Cultural meaning.
Music
Papua New Guinea has rich:
Musical traditions.
Drums
Drums play important roles in:
Ceremonial life.
Flutes
Traditional flutes are used in:
Music and ceremony.
Oral Tradition
Stories transmit:
History.
Genealogy.
Law.
Values.
Oral Culture
A society does not need:
Written archives
to possess:
Deep historical memory.
Kingdom Perspective
God can preserve wisdom through:
Oral tradition.
Christianity and Traditional Culture
Christianity has transformed many:
Traditional practices.
Discernment
Some traditions are:
Cultural.
Others may conflict with:
Christian teaching.
Wisdom
The Church must distinguish between:
Culture.
and:
Practices incompatible with the Gospel.
Translation
This requires:
Local leadership.
Indigenous Church
A strong indigenous Church should:
Lead itself.
Imported Christianity
Christianity should not remain perceived as:
A foreign institution.
Local Expression
The Gospel can become:
Fully rooted in local languages and cultures.
Papua New Guinea Church
The Church has enormous potential to become:
A missionary force.
Pacific Mission
Papua New Guinea could send missionaries to:
Other Pacific nations.
Asia.
Australia.
Africa.
Kingdom Expansion
The nation can move from:
Mission field
to:
Mission force.
Bougainville
One of Papua New Guinea's most important regions is:
Bougainville.
Bougainville
Bougainville is culturally distinct.
Civil War
Bougainville experienced a long:
Civil conflict.
Peace Agreement
A peace agreement eventually established:
Greater autonomy.
Referendum
Bougainville held a referendum on:
Independence.
Independence Vote
An overwhelming majority voted for:
Greater independence.
Future
The political future remains subject to:
Negotiations.
Kingdom Principle
Peace agreements demonstrate:
Conflict can end through:
Dialogue.
Solomon Islands
Papua New Guinea has close cultural connections with:
The Solomon Islands.
Vanuatu
It also shares:
Melanesian connections.
Australia
Australia remains one of Papua New Guinea's most important:
Partners.
China
China has increased:
Economic engagement.
Indonesia
Indonesia shares the island of:
New Guinea.
Border
Papua New Guinea's western border is with:
Indonesia.
West Papua
The Indonesian provinces of:
Papua
and:
West Papua
occupy the western portion of New Guinea.
Shared Island
The island of New Guinea demonstrates that:
Geography can unite peoples even when politics divides them.
Border Communities
Cross-border communities share:
Cultural.
Linguistic.
Family.
connections.
Security
The border requires:
Cooperation.
Pacific Diplomacy
Papua New Guinea has an important role in:
Pacific regional diplomacy.
AUKUS Region
Australia's broader security partnerships affect:
Papua New Guinea's strategic environment.
Pacific Islands
Papua New Guinea is one of the largest and most populous countries in:
The Pacific Islands region.
Leadership
Its size gives it an important:
Regional voice.
Natural Resources
Papua New Guinea's resources provide:
Opportunity.
But Resources Can Divide
Mining and energy projects can produce:
Conflict.
Landowner Rights
Communities must receive:
Fair treatment.
Resource Revenue
Revenue should support:
Public services.
Environmental Protection
Mining should not destroy:
Water.
Forests.
Communities.
Kingdom Stewardship
Natural wealth is:
A stewardship responsibility.
Forests
Papua New Guinea contains some of the world's largest remaining:
Tropical forests.
Deforestation
Logging threatens:
Forest ecosystems.
Illegal Logging
Illegal logging can damage:
Communities.
Carbon
Forests store:
Carbon.
Global Importance
Protecting Papua New Guinea's forests benefits:
The entire planet.
Indigenous Land
Much of the forest exists within:
Customary land systems.
Indigenous Stewardship
Indigenous communities can be:
Partners in conservation.
Carbon Finance
Forest conservation can potentially generate:
Climate finance.
Development
The challenge is balancing:
Economic opportunity.
and:
Environmental stewardship.
Kingdom Economy
A Kingdom economy should seek:
Prosperity.
Justice.
Sustainability.
Papua New Guinea's Kingdom Assignment
Papua New Guinea's Kingdom assignment can be summarized as:
Many-peoples nation.
Language diversity nation.
Pacific bridge.
Melanesian cultural guardian.
Christian mission nation.
Bible translation nation.
Indigenous knowledge nation.
Rainforest steward.
Coral Triangle nation.
Biodiversity protector.
Mountain nation.
River nation.
Natural resource nation.
Peacemaking nation.
Pacific regional leader.
Mission-sending nation.
Prayer for Papua New Guinea
Pray:
- For the Prime Minister.
- For Parliament.
- For provincial governments.
- For traditional leaders.
- For village leaders.
- For judges.
- For police.
- For public servants.
- For political stability.
- For honest government.
- For justice.
- For reconciliation.
- For peace.
- For tribal communities.
- For clans.
- For families.
- For children.
- For women.
- For young people.
- For elders.
- For Indigenous peoples.
- For every language community.
- For Tok Pisin speakers.
- For Hiri Motu speakers.
- For English speakers.
- For minority language communities.
- For Bible translators.
- For linguists.
- For missionaries.
- For pastors.
- For evangelists.
- For Christian teachers.
- For Christian schools.
- For Christian hospitals.
- For Catholic Christians.
- For Lutheran Christians.
- For Anglican Christians.
- For United Church communities.
- For Evangelical Christians.
- For Pentecostal Christians.
- For indigenous churches.
- For Christian unity.
- For spiritual awakening.
- For the Gospel to reach every language.
- For Scripture translation.
- For literacy.
- For education.
- For healthcare.
- For rural clinics.
- For remote communities.
- For Port Moresby.
- For Lae.
- For Mount Hagen.
- For Goroka.
- For Madang.
- For Rabaul.
- For Wewak.
- For Kokopo.
- For Bougainville.
- For the Highlands.
- For the Sepik region.
- For New Britain.
- For New Ireland.
- For Manus.
- For the Trobriand Islands.
- For the Bismarck Archipelago.
- For the Torres Strait.
- For the border with Indonesia.
- For peaceful relations with Australia.
- For peaceful relations with Indonesia.
- For peaceful relations with Solomon Islands.
- For peaceful relations with Vanuatu.
- For peaceful relations with other Pacific nations.
- For natural resource management.
- For gold mining.
- For copper mining.
- For natural gas.
- For LNG projects.
- For landowners.
- For fair resource agreements.
- For environmental protection.
- For forests.
- For rivers.
- For the Sepik.
- For the Fly River.
- For wetlands.
- For mountains.
- For Mount Wilhelm.
- For volcanoes.
- For disaster preparedness.
- For earthquake resilience.
- For tsunami preparedness.
- For volcanic communities.
- For climate resilience.
- For food security.
- For farmers.
- For coffee growers.
- For cocoa farmers.
- For fishermen.
- For sustainable fisheries.
- For coral reefs.
- For the Coral Triangle.
- For sea turtles.
- For dugongs.
- For whales.
- For sharks.
- For birds of paradise.
- For cassowaries.
- For tree kangaroos.
- For crocodiles.
- For rainforests.
- For biodiversity.
- For Indigenous land rights.
- For customary land systems.
- For traditional knowledge.
- For cultural preservation.
- For bilum artists.
- For traditional musicians.
- For cultural festivals.
- For the Goroka Show.
- For the Mount Hagen Show.
- For peace in Bougainville.
- For the political future of Bougainville.
- For reconciliation after tribal conflicts.
- For traditional peacemaking systems.
- For an end to violence against women.
- For protection of children.
- For safe communities.
- For youth employment.
- For vocational training.
- For entrepreneurship.
- For technology.
- For infrastructure.
- For roads.
- For airports.
- For telecommunications.
- For electricity.
- For clean water.
- For sanitation.
- For sustainable development.
- For Papua New Guinea to become a blessing to the Pacific.
- For Papua New Guinea to become a missionary-sending nation.
- For the Kingdom of God to be demonstrated through:
- Justice.
- Mercy.
- Reconciliation.
- Stewardship.
- Service.
- Truth.
- Love.
Papua New Guinea Before the Throne
Papua New Guinea has experienced:
Ancient human migration.
Sahul.
Highland agriculture.
Coastal societies.
Sepik civilizations.
Hundreds of languages.
Thousands of clans.
Traditional warfare.
Traditional peacemaking.
European exploration.
German administration.
Australian administration.
World War II.
Kokoda.
Milne Bay.
Christian missions.
Independence.
Modern democracy.
Mining.
Natural gas.
Bougainville conflict.
Peace agreements.
Environmental challenges.
From Ancient Agriculture to Modern Development
The Highlands demonstrate:
Human ingenuity.
From Hundreds of Languages to One Nation
Papua New Guinea demonstrates:
Unity does not require uniformity.
From Clan Conflict to Peacemaking
Traditional compensation systems demonstrate:
Conflict can be transformed.
From Haus Tambaran to Church
Religious structures have changed.
But community remains:
Central.
From German Colony to Independent State
Papua New Guinea became:
Sovereign.
From Kokoda to Peace
World War II left:
A permanent memory.
From Mission Field to Mission Force
The Church in Papua New Guinea has an opportunity to:
Send missionaries.
From Natural Resources to Stewardship
Gold.
Copper.
Gas.
Forests.
Fisheries.
All require:
Wisdom.
From Rainforest to Climate
Papua New Guinea's forests are:
Globally important.
From Islands to Nations
Papua New Guinea connects:
Melanesia.
Australia.
Southeast Asia.
The Pacific.
The Great Linguistic Witness
Papua New Guinea's greatest lesson may be:
God can speak through every language.
Pentecost
At Pentecost, God did not erase:
Languages.
He used them.
Acts 2
The nations heard the Gospel:
In their own tongues.
Papua New Guinea
With hundreds of languages, Papua New Guinea presents one of the world's greatest opportunities for:
Bible translation.
Translation
Every language contains:
Human stories.
Gospel
Every people deserve:
The opportunity to hear.
Romans 10:14
"How shall they hear without a preacher?"
Mission
The Church must continue:
Translating.
Teaching.
Serving.
Sending.
Final Commission
May Papua New Guinea become a nation of:
Peace.
Justice.
Wisdom.
Stewardship.
May every language community be:
Valued.
May every clan know:
Peace.
May every village have:
Hope.
May every child have:
Education.
May every woman have:
Safety.
May every family have:
Opportunity.
May elders be:
Honored.
May traditional knowledge be:
Preserved.
May Indigenous lands be:
Protected.
May customary ownership be:
Respected.
May development be:
Just.
May mining be:
Responsible.
May forests be:
Protected.
May rivers be:
Clean.
May the Sepik remain:
Healthy.
May the Fly River remain:
Healthy.
May Mount Wilhelm remain:
Protected.
May Papua New Guinea's volcanoes be:
Monitored.
May communities be:
Prepared.
May the Highlands remain:
Productive.
May farmers prosper.
May coffee growers prosper.
May cocoa growers prosper.
May fishermen prosper.
May local businesses grow.
May entrepreneurs prosper.
May young people find:
Jobs.
May technology reach:
Remote communities.
May roads connect:
Villages.
May aviation connect:
Islands.
May healthcare reach:
The remote.
May education reach:
Every child.
May literacy grow.
May Bible translation continue.
May missionaries serve:
With humility.
May pastors lead:
With integrity.
May churches become:
Houses of prayer.
May Christianity become increasingly:
Indigenous.
May the Church reject:
Tribal hatred.
May the Church reject:
Corruption.
May the Church reject:
Violence.
May Christians become:
Peacemakers.
May Bougainville continue toward:
Peace.
May tribal conflicts become:
Reconciled.
May women be protected from:
Violence.
May children be protected from:
Abuse.
May communities learn:
Forgiveness.
May traditional peacemaking wisdom be strengthened where it aligns with:
Justice.
May the Gospel transform:
Hearts.
May the nation become:
A missionary force.
May Papua New Guinea send missionaries to:
The Pacific.
Asia.
Australia.
Africa.
And the nations.
May the birds of paradise continue to:
Fly.
May cassowaries continue to:
Roam.
May tree kangaroos survive.
May crocodiles remain protected.
May coral reefs flourish.
May sea turtles return.
May dugongs remain.
May whales migrate safely.
May sharks thrive.
May tuna fisheries remain sustainable.
May the Coral Triangle remain:
Healthy.
May rainforests remain:
Standing.
May customary landowners benefit fairly from:
Natural resources.
May mining revenue become:
Development.
Not destruction.
May LNG projects create:
Opportunity.
Not dependency.
May natural gas wealth support:
Education.
Healthcare.
Infrastructure.
The Nation of Many Peoples
May Papua New Guinea demonstrate:
Many peoples.
Many languages.
Many cultures.
One nation.
The Kingdom of Many Peoples
And may the Church demonstrate:
Many peoples.
Many languages.
Many cultures.
One Lord.
Revelation 7:9
"Of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."
The Nations
The Kingdom does not erase:
Distinct peoples.
The Kingdom Unites
The Kingdom brings them together through:
Christ.
Papua New Guinea
May this extraordinary nation become a living picture of:
Unity in diversity.
Final Prayer
Father,
Bless Papua New Guinea.
Bless its mountains.
Bless its forests.
Bless its rivers.
Bless its islands.
Bless its oceans.
Bless its villages.
Bless its cities.
Bless its clans.
Bless its families.
Bless its children.
Bless its elders.
Bless its leaders.
Bless its churches.
Bless its missionaries.
Bless its languages.
Bless its cultures.
Bless its traditional knowledge.
Bless its farmers.
Bless its fishermen.
Bless its workers.
Bless its teachers.
Bless its doctors.
Bless its scientists.
Bless its entrepreneurs.
Bless its Indigenous peoples.
Bring peace where there has been:
Conflict.
Bring reconciliation where there has been:
Division.
Bring justice where there has been:
Abuse.
Bring healing where there has been:
Trauma.
Bring wisdom where there has been:
Corruption.
Bring stewardship where there has been:
Exploitation.
Bring hope where there has been:
Despair.
Let the Gospel be translated into:
Every language.
Let Christ be proclaimed in:
Every village.
Let the Church rise as:
A peacemaking people.
Let Papua New Guinea become:
A blessing to the Pacific.
A blessing to Australia.
A blessing to Asia.
A blessing to the nations.
And may the people of Papua New Guinea, together with every nation, tribe, people, and language, one day stand before the throne and proclaim:
"Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."
(Revelation 7:10)
Amen.
🇵🇬 Kingdom Nations Series – Part 136
Papua New Guinea
From ancient Sahul to the modern nation.
From the Highlands to the islands.
From Kuk agriculture to modern development.
From hundreds of languages to one nation.
From clan societies to parliamentary democracy.
From the Sepik River to the Pacific Ocean.
From haus tambaran to the Church.
From traditional knowledge to modern science.
From German New Guinea to Australian administration.
From Kokoda to independence.
From Michael Somare to modern political leadership.
From tribal conflict to peacemaking.
From Bougainville conflict to reconciliation.
From gold and copper to natural gas.
From mining to stewardship.
From rainforests to the Coral Triangle.
From birds of paradise to cassowaries.
From Mount Wilhelm to the Pacific.
From Tok Pisin to hundreds of languages.
From mission field to missionary-sending nation.
From Papua New Guinea to Melanesia.
From Papua New Guinea to Australia.
From Papua New Guinea to the Pacific.
From Papua New Guinea to the nations.
From Papua New Guinea to the Kingdom.
From Papua New Guinea to the throne.
End of Kingdom Nations Series – Part 136: 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
Coming Next: 🌎 Kingdom Nations Series – Part 137: 🇵🇾 Paraguay — From ancient Guaraní peoples and the arrival of Spanish Christianity through the Jesuit reductions, colonial Paraguay, independence, the War of the Triple Alliance, the Chaco War, Stroessner's dictatorship, modern democracy, the Guaraní language, the Paraná and Paraguay Rivers, Itaipú Dam, agriculture, biodiversity, Mennonite communities, Christianity, Indigenous peoples, and Paraguay's Kingdom calling.
