Mikarew, Ariawiai in Papua New Guinea

People Name:	Mikarew, Ariawiai
Country:	Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	14,000
World Population:	14,000
Primary Language:	Aruamu
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	97.00 %
Evangelicals:	13.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	New Guinea
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Aruamu people of Papua New Guinea live in the Madang Province, Bogia district, between the Ramu river and Bogia town.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditionally, they have practiced animism. They also recognize a distant and tricky creator-spirit god, whom they call Rangai.

Although Christianity was introduced to the region in the 1950s, many Aruamu Christians found it difficult to shake off their traditional animistic beliefs. Then in the late 1970s, some Aruamu men gave their hearts to Christ during an open-air crusade in the region and began sharing the Gospel among their people. Small, passionate evangelical churches were born, and today several dif-ferent churches and denominations are actively working among the Aruamu.

In 1979 Aruamu believers began praying for help translating the Bible into their heart language. God answered that prayer, and the Aruamu New Testament was dedicated in 2005. Now, the Aruamu Literacy Committee and translation team are ready to move forward with a translation of the Old Testament.

A team of seven mother tongue translators are ready to work hand-in-hand to translate the Old Testament Scriptures into their heart language. These Scriptures will encourage churches in their worship and believers in their walk with God, and it will be a tool for evangelizing the community at large.