My name is Julie Mare and I was born in Wewak, in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. I am the fifth daughter born to Maria Mare and Aluis Haunt. I have three older sisters, an older brother, and two younger brothers.

Because we did not have the money for school fees, I raised funds so I could go to high school. I was able to further my education through the College of Distance Education, but then difficult circumstances forced me to withdraw from school. Because my father could not afford to pay school fees for all of us children, I was the one chosen to stay home. I was angry and felt very let down.

In January 2003, two returning missionaries, Jill Bakandu and the late Josephine Pelis who both served with Operation Mobilization, came to my church to share about missions. Their testimonies and challenges really blessed me and moved me to tears. In March, I heard that BTA needed a bookkeeper and secretary in Ukarumpa. I went and had an interview with one of the staff who said that the salary wouldn't be much. I told the translator that, for me, money wasn't a big issue; I only wanted to be part of the work and ministry of a mission organization. I also desired to have a taste of what it would be like to serve as a missionary myself.

When I received my acceptance letter from the PNG BTA Highlands Director to start work, reality hit, and I found myself starting to reason, “What about my parents? I cannot afford to leave them. Maybe I heard wrong or maybe it was my own thinking and not from God.” I thought about my best friends and all those I loved and also about things I loved the most in Wewak. What would my life be like without them? I had heard so many stories of people getting held up by rascals along the highways, and these reinforced my fear and uncertainty. But I also recognized that this was the enemy at work trying to discourage and distract me from what God had for me to do.

A week later, the Lord brought me peace when I opened my Bible to Genesis 12. In this story, the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country and your people; leave your family. Go to the land I will show you.” When I read Abram's story, I felt a true peace in my heart. I heard a voice say to me, “I will send you like I sent Abram.”

I feel God has called me to serve him through the ministry of PNG BTA. Not only do I work as the BTA bookkeeper, but occasionally I also help with logistics for visiting administrative staff and field teams that come to Ukarumpa for meetings. For instance, I help with arranging lodging accommodations and food, and even booking travel arrangements.

God has spoken through His Word and revealed Himself to me. I talk to Him like He is my Father; He is a Dad to me. I have seen my heavenly Father do more in my life than I could have possibly imagined, and He continues to supply all my needs, just as He promised in His Word.