From an isolated village once gripped by fear to a thriving community grounded in faith, Dan Shaw’s journey was made possible by God’s Word, enduring relationships and the vital lifeline of MAF.
Story by Mandy Glass
Dan Shaw was surrounded by a crowd of villagers - some old friends, some new faces, all eager to say goodbye. He stood out from the crowd, being the tall white-skinned and white-haired man. Not a local by appearance, but a local by heart, knowing the people of Honinabi so well.
He was about to fly out on a MAF plane after ten days reconnecting with the Samo people, whom he first came to live among in 1970. Now, over 50 years later, Dan returned not only to assess storm damage to his old house, but to check on the heartbeat of a community that had transformed radically since he first arrived.
The airstrip isn’t just a runway – it’s a lifeline, as it is for many communities tucked away in the jungle of Papua New Guinea.
“I came to see what condition the house was in after the tree fell on it… and to find out what was happening from their point of view with respect to the Bible translation programme,” he explained.
But it was more than just a check-in. It was a reminder of God’s enduring work through decades of faith, perseverance, and partnership.
Dan’s journey to Papua New Guinea wasn’t initially on his radar, but he was captivated by the idea of serving in a place called Nomad River.
Despite warnings about cannibalism, Dan’s desire was to bring the love of Christ to those the world feared or rejected. Dan simply responded, “Jesus loves cannibals.”
He and his wife moved with their infant son to the remote village of Kwobe, to live with the Samo people.
They learned the language, built relationships, and began translating the Bible - not just word for word, but heart to heart.
“We encouraged the people to do translation… better that they do it themselves,” Dan said.
“Within six or seven years, the Samo church grew from almost nothing to 80% of the population.”
He knows that none of this would’ve been possible without the connection MAF provides.
“If it wasn’t for MAF and this little airstrip, we wouldn’t be here,” he said in Honinabi before boarding the aircraft.
“The airstrip isn’t just a runway - it’s a lifeline as it is for many communities tucked away in the jungle of Papua New Guinea. Things are happening here, but it can’t happen without communication and connectivity. So, this is their connection to the world.”
The community’s connection with the Bible came through understanding.
After hearing God’s command not to kill in the Genesis story, a villager told him: “Now we finally know why we should not kill and why we should not eat.”
The shift from fear-based compliance to heart-level transformation was unmistakable. Scripture became song.
“They took the Scripture and sang it… I’m convinced that if they do an oral Bible translation, it will be sung and go from village to village,” Dan said. “The pastors will sing Scripture rather than read it, and it will hit to the heart of the Samo people.”
He remembers the early days, how MAF provided an essential link with the outside world.
“MAF was just a very, very special part of our lives… Not only could they bring mail, but veggies from Mount Hagen too!”
Today, MAF remains the bridge between isolation and opportunity, hope and help.
Dan’s recent visit revealed both challenges and progress. Communication remains difficult, though there’s hope for a Starlink system soon.
“Please pray and hope that the next time I come, I can tell these people I’m coming,” he said.
The school and translation centre are ready to move forward. A new generation of educated Samo leaders is rising - some with university degrees, some already in government.
“Rather than bringing our culture… my view as a Bible translator is to bring God’s Word and watch what they do with it,” he reflected.
As the MAF plane prepared for take-off, Dan looked around.
“To see a crowd like this come and say goodbye is just… just awesome. They’re amazing people. I’d love to stay, but duty calls,” he said.
“God bless MAF and the amazing work they do - not just here, but everywhere.”