By David White, Mar 1, 2010

his morning, Segelato gently knocked on our door. She had three family members with her whom we didn’t recognize. We invited them inside. Quietly, they filed in and sat down. Segelato introduced her eldest brother and his family. “Their son got ducks [good scores],” she said. “He won a scholarship to Mount Diamond [our Adventist boarding school in Port Moresby], and we’re trying to send him. Would you call and talk for us?”

In Gogodala culture, when people want to speak with strangers, they locate a mutual acquaintance to act as an intercessor and lend a favorable influence. Rarely do Gogodalas break this tradition.

I congratulated the family on their son’s academic achievement, but I told them I didn’t know anyone at Mount Diamond. I then gave them the phone number and they left, obviously disappointed.

Half an hour later, there was another knock at the door. Another couple had come to ask the same favor for their child. The father took me aside and said candidly, “They will put us off, but they will have respect for you.” He held up a slip of paper with the name of a man at the government office. “This man will let you use a phone.” With pleading eyes he pressed the paper into my hand.

A little while later, another man came with the same request. Exasperated, I gave him the same excuse and the school phone number, saying, “I don’t know anyone at Mount Diamond. You call.”

Over the next hour, the impression grew in my heart that I should call on behalf of these families. Finally, I gave in. “Alright, alright, I’ll make the call,” I mumbled aloud as I grabbed my hat and headed for the door. “I’m going to the government offices,” I called to Cindy. “I’ll be right back.”

The man at the government office was very kind. Soon I was on the phone talking with Mrs. Suwari, the registrar at Mount Diamond.

“If you had called in another hour I wouldn’t have been able to help you,” she said. “I am assigning the rooms at this very moment. Give me their names. I’ll put them in.”

“But you haven’t received their applications yet,” I reminded her.

“No worries,” she said. “We have reserved several places for Western Province students. Just send the applications later.” I gave her the names and hung up, praising God for His intercession.

Please keep these students in your prayers as they venture out from their homes and villages. Your intercession allows God to work in mighty ways in their lives.