Iwal in Papua New Guinea

Introduction / History

The Iwal people live in nine villages: five inland and four along the coast. All nine villages speak one a single native language known as Iwal. They also speak Tok Pisin -- a secondary Pidgin language used to communicate with other Papua New Guineans.

The nine villages are located southeast of Lae, the second city of Papua New Guinea. It takes two or more hours by motorboat. This is the only way of reaching the village. Five of the villages located inland can only be reached by walking up hills and mountains and crossing rivers.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Iwal are fisherman and farmers who grow vegetables and tropical food and fruits. They don't live on wages or salaries and there are no bank accounts. When the vegetables and fruits are ready they are taken to Lae and sold. The money is used to buy clothes, soap and medication or used for the offering in the churches.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Iwal are Christian. The Lutheran church used to be the only church, but now some villages have other denominations present such as Baptists and Seventh-Day Adventists.

What Are Their Needs?

There is a need for treated mosquito nets because each year children and adults are infected with malaria.

Many lives have been lost to this horrible disease. The people need a system to be able to communicate with the city in cases of emergency and for emergency transportation.

Most of the time communication with the city is impossible. Proper medical centers need to be established and staffed in each villages

Prayer Points

Pray that the Iwal people will continue to live for God
Pray that the people will not simply attend church every Sunday but rather open their hearts and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Friend, Saviour and Lord
Pray that all Iwal would experience God's salvation. There are those who are not ready or are scared to recieve God in their hearts.

Text Source:   Anonymous