What does it mean to have your own Bible?
Many of us would take it granted. But for people living in isolated communities like Papua New Guinea, it's one of their most treasured possessions.
A women named Ata who lives in Sengapi, Papua New Guinea, expresses her thanks to pilot Glenys Watson who sold her a Bible at a significantly reduced price.
“There are many people here who know how to read, but they don’t have a Bible,” said Ata.
“Lots of the older educated people have come. They already have received the knowledge of the Bible, so what could they use it for? But the Bible has come for a cheap price, so now they can read it. If there are others who can’t read, they can read it to them.”
Septon Philip from Wabo in the Western Province explained how important it is to hold the Bible in his hands.
“I would just like to say thank you on behalf of everyone here in the community,” said Septon.
“Thank you, MAF, for bringing the Bible to this place in the bush. Thank you, because God’s word is inside.”
MAF isn’t the only way for the Wabo community to find a Bible. They can travel by boat to Kerema around 150 kilometres down the river, but this is not without its dangers due to rough seas. Another way is to go by foot to Goroka in the mountains. While a safer way, it’s a long journey and would take seven days through rough terrain.
“If we managed to go to town, the Bibles would be very expensive,” said Septon.
“A huge thank you goes to those people who have donated to lower the price of the Bible, so that people like us, who live in the bush, can afford to buy the Bible,” said Septon.