A relative calm pervaded the village last weekend when missionary Jonathan Kopf, accompanied by three policemen, returned to his home to evaluate the situation among the Hewas.
Three weeks ago, the village was the scene of a murder. Jonathan's wife, Susan, was only a few feet away when the couple's dear friend, Tomas, was nearly decapitated during a court proceeding. Warfare that erupted immediately after the incident forced the Kopfs to evacuate.
No further deaths have taken place as an aftermath to the murder. However, in their anger relatives of Tomas burned the homes of anyone who housed the murderer before he committed his crime -- eight houses in all. The missionaries' homes were untouched.
Police and the missionaries have asked that the murder of Tomas be resolved through the judicial system instead of the traditional "pay back" killing. Like most Papua New Guinea cultures, when someone is killed the relatives of the victim avenge the death by killing a member of the killer's family.
Fearing such retaliation, the murderer and his relatives escaped deep into the jungle. During Jonathan's weekend visit he could see their fires on the distant mountains. The denseness of the jungle makes it very difficult for the police to pursue them.
The Kopfs are now thinking that it may be safe to return to their ministry in the tribe. And their ministry could soon expand to other villages.
Jonathan received a message that some of the people in Kulufundu and Waiyalima want to learn to read and write so they can read the Bible.
Eleven Hewas recently died due to an illness that was sweeping those villages. The illness has apparently responded to medicine that Jonathan took to the people a few weeks ago. There have been no more deaths, and Jonathan's care has created an interest for God's Word among the people.
Please pray for a peaceful solution to the murder, and for the growth of the young Hewa believers.
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