This week the Ukarumpa Community and
indeed the entire Aiyura Valley said good bye
to Arua Tepi, a good friend, mentor and co-
worker who supported Bible Translation
efforts for 34 years. Arua spent his last
several years working as the Assistant to the
Security Operations Manager and he excelled
in his work. Even though I was his manager,
it was he who mentored me; helping me to
understand cultural differences, improve my
Tok Pisin and keeping me focused on the big
picture of what God is doing in Papua New
Guinea. Shortly after my arrival, Arua came
into my office and asked if I was OK with
him conducting prayer walks around the
center during the overnight shift. You see,
Arua had a good understanding of physical
security and its limits in a mission
environment. More importantly, Arua
understood that God has no limits and his life reflected that reality.
Arua had a sixth grade education and yet could just as wisely counsel Ph.D’s as he could contract security staff or market vendors. Despite the fact that Arua was from the Southern Highlands and not local to the Aiyura Valley, he was able to make peace between opposing parties. During Arua’s memorial service, many people came forward to tell how he’d led them to Christ, mentored young people and come to the aid of several others in difficult circumstances. While we mourn the loss of our mentor and friend, we take solace in the fact that he is in the presence of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. One of Arua’s favorite verses was 1 Corinthians 15:58:
“Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV)
-Scott
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