Two lives, well spent and used for His glory!

1953 – Nineteen year old Tom Palmer got on a ship that was soon to leave San Francisco harbour. He was

heading to the Island of New Guinea as a single missionary. Leaving his family, friends and possessions

behind, he followed the Invisible God. The reality

of his God, who gave His own life to pay for Tom’s

sin-debt once and for all, had completely changed

Tom’s outlook on life and filled him with the vision

of letting his life be used for the “greatest cause” on

earth. Tom had a vision for PEOPLE… people who

had never heard about, or experienced, the deepest

love ever… the love of their creator, who had given

His utmost to provide a way back into a close

relationship with Him.

God had decided not to send a message, but rather messengers who would be living proof of how a sinful

human could receive new life and close fellowship with his perfect creator. And Tom was exactly that, since

he himself had experienced the power of forgiveness and love of God. So getting on that ship proved the

reality of his “new” life inside. It also showed Tom that he could totally trust his new heavenly father. God,

Himself, took Tom by the hand and led him as he embarked on a journey to the terrifying unknown, but

with total peace in his heart.

After several weeks on the ocean he arrived in Lae and met up with the first New Tribes Mission missionary

who had come to PNG back in 1950: Chuck Driver. Chuck had been given permission to go interior to live

with the Hamtai people. Chuck’s desire was at the very heart of Mission: to reach the least reached by

learning their language and culture, by living with them, and by equipping, teaching and empowering them

to stand on their own.

New Tribes Mission established their first Mission base at Yaiwa Hawa, a few hours interior from Bulolo,

until they moved into the Goroka Valley and established a new Headquarter there in the 60’s.

Tom started to learn the extremely complex language of the

Hamtai and a few years later married a single NTM

Missionary, Corinne, who had also left America to let her

life be used by God for the

people of PNG.

Part of their honeymoon was

spent in a neighboring village.

They were happily married,

trusting God to provide for

their needs and though they had to live on a very low income at times, God

was trustworthy and faithful to them!

As Tom and Corrine learnt the language and culture of

the Hamtai people, they began teaching and equipping

them… hundreds of them! Literacy schools were

established and medical help was provided in the midst

of clan fighting, sickness and isolation in the mountains.

Living conditions were not easy, but the love of God

and His strength

kept them and

their many co-workers going. Over the next few years, they had four

children of their own. Tom and Corinne were struck with Hepatitis,

but God spared their lives and they were able to keep teaching and

translating the New Testament into Hamtai language. Many literacy

and bible schools were held and practical classes, like sewing, were

taught.

Fast forward to 1975 – the New Testament was translated by Tom and his co-workers, and thousands of

Hamtai people were very thankful to at last to be able to hold a copy of the “Word of God”, written in their

own heart language.

Tom and Corinne, together with their NTM co-workers, didn’t just have the Hamtai people in mind…

They were also trying to find ways into the many large Highland tribes and to spread the reach of the Gospel

far interior. So over the years Tom spent much time surveying and helped lead the Mission to open up many

more works in the Highlands provinces, Sepik, Madang, East/West New Britain and New Ireland, engaging

with more than 70 people groups.

September 16th, 2013… the 60th anniversary of the day Tom

had first arrived in PNG, back in 1953! He and Corinne were

still in PNG, getting ready to dedicate a “REVISED” New

Testament to the Hamtai people and to take one of the hardest

steps ever – to FINALLY say good bye to the people they

poured their entire adult lives into. Corinne, now 84, slowly gets

out of their car, leans on a stick as she carefully moves up the

rugged path that leads to their last home in Hamtai land.

October 29th, 2013… The big day of celebration! Thousands

gathered to celebrate having the revised New Testament and to

farewell Tom & Corinne, for one last time, before they leave

PNG for good. The celebration was held at the same place

where everything had started – Yaiwa Hawa, now being the

place for the Watut LLG. What a day this was! Emotions ran high as the thought kept coming up of their

beloved Tom & Corinne departing them for good. Tears of joy and pain, mixed with thankfulness and praise

to their creator God for sending New Tribes Missionaries to bring them a clear understanding of their

heavenly Father, changing the lives of thousands all over

the rugged Mountains way interior. As Tom, and his co-

translators, came marching in with the printed Bibles, the

people could not hold back their joy and excitement any

longer. Hundreds started shouting, then weeping and

finally lifting up Tom and his main Hamtai co-

translator Malcolm into the air and carrying them while

the crowd began singing and dancing. What a sight!

Unforgettable moments for the Palmers and their

Hamtai family! Tom & Corinne have truly given their whole lives for these people

and even some of their children have come back later with their own families to serve the people of PNG!

And what is Tom and Corrine’s reward? It’s knowing that one day, they will see and worship

their creator and savior together with thousands of PNG people… without any difference of

skin color but with one voice and language praising the One who completely gave His life to

bring them into one family, for eternity!