Decades ago, Harrie and Eva Standen packed up their lives and moved from Australia to Papua New Guinea (PNG). They lived among the people and brought much assistance and hope to them. The main region they lived and served in was the Bamu River, hence their official name, Bamu River Mission. Unofficially, they were referred to as the Mission in the Mud, as volunteers onboard the YWAM Medical Ship recently came to understand as they trekked through the muddy river banks, dramatically affected by the tides.
During the Standen’s time in Bamu, they used boats, including a cabin cruiser named The Goodwill. It’s purpose was to transport the Standens to other villages in the area, enabling them to educate villagers, and treat basic medical needs as they were able.
Almost 40 years have gone by since Harrie passed away, and 7 years since Eva, but their legacy lives on in PNG in both the development work they started as well as a trust fund which they organised to assist the people far longer than they ever would.
YWAM volunteers carry on the Standens’ legacy, and experience the mud of the Bamu River!
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