A fatal landslide, unwavering commitment, and a hopeful development. That is the story behind this picture taken in the forests of Papua New Guinea.
The rector of a New Apostolic congregation and his wife were on their way to tending their kitchen garden when the mountainside shifted. The Boana area in the eastern highlands of Papua New Guinea had been hit by torrential rains, resulting in washed away roads and bridges.
And now the mountainside gave way burying the couple under tonnes of earth, rubble, and trees. Villagers watched the landslide from a distance—they had been evacuated just in time—but were unable to help as the ground was still shifting. Despite rescue efforts, only the wife was found alive. She had managed to dig herself out. Her husband, and father of their six children, had been buried much deeper. Church members and the community searched and could only recover his body. He was buried early the next morning after a funeral service.
In the fight against nature
In the wake of this disaster, funds were donated to provide much-needed aid to help the survivors: gardens and crops had been destroyed and food was scarce. Apostle Patrick Silabe and his team launched relief efforts, distributing non-perishable food supplies.
In order to get the relief supplies to their destination, the villagers, including many young people, had to contend with washed-out paths and relentless rain to transport these provisions back to their communities. Following the initial relief mission, Apostle Silabe embarked on a gruelling journey to a remote mountain area himself.
Three-day trek through the jungle
The Apostle had last visited the region in 2014—by helicopter. But none were available now. With unwavering determination, the Apostle and his team travelled as far as possible by PMV vehicle before undertaking a three-day trek through treacherous terrain.
On this trek, he held church services along the way at central points, for which members also walked long distances. In one location, the Apostle sealed 393 believers, in another 556. He also performed 30 ordinations. These gatherings were filled with spiritual joy and celebration, despite the immense physical challenges faced by all.
The return journey proved equally arduous, involving another three-day trek through the jungle. The team rested in makeshift shelters along the way, before finally reaching a point where they could access transport back home.