It has now been 5 years since we moved to Port Moresby and started the YWAM Medical Ships Port Moresby Campus, “The Jetty”. Here are a few highlights and achievements!
Reaching children through the school dental program
Over the past five years, our School Dental Program has provided free dental care to more than 3,000 students and oral health education to over 20,000 children across Port Moresby. The need is significant, with over 80% of students assessed experiencing tooth decay and around 30% suffering from severe decay. The program has also helped strengthen the local dental workforce through partnerships and training opportunities for local dental professionals – Colgate now employ two dentists who are working in the trailer with us, and we also launched the Cert III in Dental Assistant Training last year. Step inside the school dental program in this video!
Helping people know and understand the word
Papua New Guinea is known as a Christian nation, yet there remains a deep need for discipleship and for people to understand and apply the Word of God in everyday life. This led to the beginning of Biblical Education & Leadership Training (BELT), helping people know, understand, and live out the Bible. Today, our team runs BELT seminars in communities with great fruit – salvations, renewed faith, and transformed lives. One participant shared:
“During the seminar my phone was stolen. I had a knife, and was going to stab him, but I heard God speak to me not to react. It was the first time God spoke to me. My heart was really softened by that and I was really blessed.”
Vocational training and discipleship for young people
Training and discipleship remain a key focus of our ministry as we seek to equip and empower young adults for service, leadership, and mission. Through programs including our Discipleship Training School (DTS), Introduction to Global Health & Development (IGHD), Dental Assistant Training, and Staff Internship program, we are investing in both spiritual growth and practical skills development. Since 2021, 178 students have completed our courses, with many continuing into ministry, missions, further training, and leadership roles.
Supporting the medical ship’s work in Western Province
Our base has played an important role in supporting the ship’s work in Western Province by storing supplies, providing accommodation for long-term volunteers, and registering volunteers. The ship has also served as a great placement for our healthcare and dental assistant students. We hope to one day have the facilities to have the ship wharfed at our property when it transits through Port Moresby to further support the ship’s operations.
Creating a hub for training and outreach
Five years ago, our property was a run-down, abandoned building with no electricity or running water! It for sure has been a fixer-upper 🙂 Today, it has been transformed into a base where we can accommodate and feed 80+ students and volunteers on site. While there is still much to be done, our humble property has already become a place where lives are being equipped, communities are being served, and outreach teams are being launched. We look forward to seeing its capacity and impact continue to grow as we further develop the site. We were overjoyed to finally received the long-term lease for the property last year after many years of paperwork, land surveys, and meetings!
Wow very significant achievements praise God. We thank Him for all of your provisions – day to day living, stamina, protection & good health, for future planning to advance His kingdom in PNG, for your 4 little family blessings and so much more. We continue to pray for His guidance, for clarity regarding next steps, for security of your childrens belonging re- passports, citizenship etc. Much aroha from Steeles
Praise GOD for all He has done throughout your time in Port Moresby – in both your family life and mission life. May He continue to guide and bless your efforts.