On September 13-21, 2016 a canvassing seminar was held in Papua New Guinea at the initiative of Brother Ben Thiel, the president of the South Pacific Islands Union. We had over 35 participants who completed the course, including a two days first-hand canvassing experience.
We went out to one main town and 12 villages, and a good number of books were sold. As a result, some individuals expressed the desire to visit the church, and a lecture was given to a group of 500 high school students after the principal was impressed with the books we were offering.
I praise the Lord for this great work, and may He continue blessing the work that was begun there.
"Self-supporting missionaries are often very successful. Beginning in a small, humble way, their work enlarges as they move forward under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Let two or more start out together in evangelistic work. They may not receive any particular encouragement from those at the head of the work that they will be given financial support; nevertheless let them go forward, praying, singing, teaching, living the truth. They may take up the work of canvassing, and in this way introduce the truth into many families. As they move forward in their work they gain a blessed experience. They are humbled by a sense of their helplessness, but the Lord goes before them, and among the wealthy and the poor they find favor and help. Even the poverty of these devoted missionaries is a means of finding access to the people. As they pass on their way they are helped in many ways by those to whom they bring spiritual food. They bear the message God gives them, and their efforts are crowned with success. Many will be brought to a knowledge of the truth who, but for these humble teachers, would never have been won to Christ.
"God calls for workers to enter the whitening harvest field. Shall we wait because the treasury is exhausted, because there is scarcely sufficient to sustain the workers now in the field? Go forth in faith, and God will be with you. The promise is: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6." {Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, pg. 23, 24}
