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Private Mail Bag
Hoskins WNBP622
Papua New Guinea
Todd_Gerst@ntm.org
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May
'07
Interview with
Todd
& Karen Gerst
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Podcast: |
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When
Todd and Karen Gerst and
their family were sent out from WCC in 1995, they knew that
God was going to do great things. They embarked on a journey
to the village of Gie in Papua New Guinea, half a world away.
Empowered by the vision and prayer to reach an unreached tribal
group with the Gospel and see an indigenous New Testament church
established, the Gersts began their work.
The first few years weren’t exactly what they had anticipated – from
the physical labor of clearing the jungle for their new home
to the demanding task of recording the unwritten language of
the Maleu people– but they knew God’s hand was
in it all. “It was difficult at first,” admits
Todd, “but we had to lay the groundwork. We knew God
wanted us there and we kept that in sight.”
Perhaps the most fundamental piece of that groundwork involved
learning to understand the Maleu culture, including their animist
beliefs, which taught that all things – from trees and
rocks to the rain and wind – had a spirit. “They
lived their life in fear of the spirits around them and spent
their days trying to please and manipulate those spirits,” Todd
explains.
After about three years, the Gersts were fluent enough in the
Maleu language and culture to begin Bible lessons. For 90 minutes
to two hours, five days a week, nearly all of the 180 villagers
would gather under the tarp of the makeshift church, sitting
on the ground or on logs, to hear the stories of Adam and Eve,
Abraham and Noah. For over three months, Todd led the villagers
through the Old Testament, using words, pictures, video and
drama to teach Truth.
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We started at the very beginning . . . Genesis,” says
Todd. “We established the foundation for the New Testament,
so that there would be a better understanding when we presented
the gospel.”
In May 2000, after 70 lessons, Todd made that first gospel
presentation. Sixty people accepted Christ. “It’s
so exciting,” he says. “These people previously
had no hope and lived their lives in fear. Now they know the
hope of Jesus Christ.”
Their study soon turned to Acts, which brought encouragement
to the fledgling Maleu church who, like that first century
church in Acts, faced tremendous persecution from those in
the village who weren’t saved. According to Todd, that
study showed them that “persecution is very real for
believers, that as followers of Christ there’s a cost.
They were able to see that we’re not any different, and
what’s really amazing, they were and are still able to
thank God for it.”
As the new believers grew in their faith, so, too, did their
desire grow to share the good news they had discovered. There
weren’t many willing ears, however, because of the persecution
the Maleu believers were enduring. But they never wavered and
continued to live their faith, praying for the opportunity
to share the hope they had.
Before long, they literally came face to face with that opportunity.
People from a neighboring village made the nearly two hour
hike to talk to them. “They came to the church and said, ‘We
see a difference in you, in how your children behave, in how
husbands and wives are treating each other. We want what you
have,” Todd recalls with a smile.
The church then commissioned two Maleu Bible teachers and helped
them and their families move to the next village. The teachers
followed Todd’s model and when, after 70 lessons, they
presented the gospel, more than 35 villagers made commitments
to follow Christ.
Now that the Maleu people are assuming the leadership and teaching
roles, the Gersts have altered their focus a bit to concentrate
on discipleship, Bible translation and curriculum development.
They currently have translated 27% of the New Testament and
are aiming to record a translation of the entire New Testament
and parts of the Old Testament, along with Biblical commentary. “I
realize now that I am not going to be the one to go into the
neighboring villages, but they are,” Todd says. “They
have a burning passion to reach their neighbors. Our job now
is to teach the teachers, to equip them to reach out.”
While Todd may have been the one in front of the crowds, the
Gersts’ ministry in Papua New Guinea is very much an
entire family effort. “We’re in this together,” notes
Todd. “The kids (Cameron – 14, Frani – 11,
Maryl – 10, Hayden – 8) get so excited when people
are saved, too. They actually like [the area] more than Mom
and Dad . . . this is home for them,” he adds.
But Todd is quick to point out the other “family” who
has contributed to their ministry, too. “WCC is our church
family,” says Todd. “We’re getting to be
partners in seeing people reached, whether it’s the citizens
of Kosciusko County or the Maleu people. Someday, we’ll
fully realize the impact, but God’s going to continue
to multiply the many investments people have made – of
time, energy, resources. I look forward to seeing all that
He’s going to do.”
As the Gersts return for their final term of 3-4 years they
will be focused on completing translation. They currently have
40% of the New Testament done. They will be traveling back
and forth between their support base and the village. WCC is
developing a team of people will be helping to print and bind
sections of the Bible that are completed. — Kimberly
Shumaker If
you would like to be involved with this work please contact Pam
Price 268-0188
ext. 119 or pprice@wccconnect.com.
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