What happens when one misunderstood conversation nearly gets missionaries kicked out of an unreached people group?

In this episode, missionary Luke Thek shares what it’s really like learning the language and culture of the Uruwa people in Papua New Guinea. From painful cultural misunderstandings to the massive importance of Bible translation, Luke explains why missionaries spend years learning the heart language before teaching Scripture.

He tells the shocking story of how one direct response created a broken relationship, public shame and even danger for a mission plane — all because he didn’t yet understand the culture.

Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro to podcast
0:26 Intro to Luke Thek’s ministry in Papua New Guinea
0:44 Why learn the national language?
1:26 Why the gospel must be shared in the heart language
2:45 What is the hardest part of learning culture & language?
5:11 The cultural mistake that nearly ended their mission work
12:40 How long is it going to take to plant a church?
14:45 How learning a people group’s culture & language is a spiritual process
16:57 What are you looking forward to when you go back into the village?

The Bible & Missions Podcast, an Ethnos360 Podcast.

Alan McDole interviews missionaries, Bible Institute professors and students to explore biblical missions and inspire the next generation to get involved in what God is doing around the world.

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