A Simbai Update

By Bill Smith

Origin
The Simbai area is a government outpost in rugged mountainous terrain, with a population of about 42,000. No roads connect the Simbai with the rest of PNG, but it has a 1/2 mile grass and gravel airstrip, a 20-minute flight from the nearest town of Mt. Hagen.

A rebellious teenager left the Simbai to find his fortune in the city of Madang. He was saved at a Baptist church, had a burden for his people, and when he was unable to get a missionary to go to them, he went himself in 1983. He started six churches. Two men from the Simbai came in contact with ABWE missionary Bob Dyer in 1986. He promised he would try to find missionaries to help them.

My wife Debbie and I arrived in PNG in November 1987, and I made my first trip to the Simbai in December. We began working with these churches and national lay pastors in 1989. In order to be more effective, we wanted to move to the Simbai.

Progress
We are in the process of securing a 99-year lease on two pieces of government property. ABWE missionaries David and Shawn Smith will join us next year. We will build a workshop and two missionary houses on one piece of property, and a national church and pastor's housing on the other piece.

Funds have been raised, and a lot of tools, equipment, and building materials were purchased in the United States and shipped to PNG, including a portable sawmill, table saw, and planer. These items, along with a six-wheel-drive Army truck that was converted to a logging truck, are in storage waiting until the next rainy season when the river becomes navigable.

Present Status
Obtaining legal documents for the property is probably several years away, but we are moving through the process. Building permits are in hand. The formerly impassable "road" to Simbai recently opened for motorbikes and four- or six-wheel-drive vehicles.

Volunteer building teams are being organized. When the equipment gets to the Simbai and enough timber has been cut to start the project, the teams will be sent.

Debbie and I moved to the Simbai in March 1999. We live in a small (18' x 25', 450 sq. ft.) government house. We have running water-even hot water in the shower-a flush toilet, and our own generated electricity.

Plans for the Future
We work with seven Goroka Baptist Bible College graduates who pastor the six local churches. The average combined attendance of the churches is about 1,000 each Sunday. Those churches are a one- to six-hour hike from Simbai Station.

We have only started to scratch the surface of what can be done in this area so receptive to the gospel. Many other areas in PNG are just like the Simbai. If you would like to help, or be involved in any way, please contact us at: wsmith@online.net.pg