About 1990, a circuit overseer, Jim Davies, along with three other brothers, made plans to witness to a refugee camp far up the Fly River near the border of Indonesia. The brothers had arranged for accommodations with an interested woman whose husband was second in charge of the camp. “The trip up the Fly River took nearly two hours in a motorized dugout canoe,” says Jim. “At about nine o’clock in the morning, we arrived at a clearing in the jungle, where we saw a dirt road that led to the distant camp. We waited there for transportation.

“Finally, at five o’clock in the afternoon, a vehicle showed up. We loaded our supplies, climbed in, and went only about a hundred yards before the steering mechanism broke! Unperturbed, the driver identified the problem, found some fencing wire, slid under the car, and tied the separated parts together. ‘That won’t get us far,’ I thought. But I was wrong. The wire held for the duration​—five hours, all of it in four-wheel drive because of the state of the road. Many times, in fact, we got stuck in mud and had to push the vehicle out. We arrived at ten o’clock that night, weary and covered with mud.

“For three days we witnessed in the camp, which was scattered over a wide area of jungle, and placed all of our literature. We also met a disfellowshipped man who expressed the desire to return to Jehovah. Later, we were thrilled to learn that he did come back. Also, his wife and some of his children are now in the truth. The same is true of the interested woman and her husband who kindly gave us accommodations.”

Let’s join a circuit overseer and his wife as they visit congregations along this mighty waterway.

Warren Reynolds writes: “Early in the morning, my wife, Leann, and I set out from the town of Wewak with our 12-foot [3.5 m] aluminum dinghy strapped to the roof rack of our vehicle. After a three-hour ride, most of it in four-wheel drive, we park our vehicle by the river for a few days while we travel upstream to visit the approximately 30 publishers in four villages along the Sepik’s tributaries.

“With our flat-bottom dinghy loaded with supplies, we start the 25-horsepower outboard motor and head upstream. An hour later, we turn up the Yuat River, a tributary of the Sepik, and travel for another two hours before arriving at the village of Biwat. There we are warmly welcomed by the brothers and their Bible students, some of whom haul our dinghy ashore and store it at one of their homes. After enjoying a meal of plantains and coconut milk, we all head off on a two-hour hike through swampy jungle, the publishers leading the way and helping us carry our supplies. Finally we arrive at a small village called Dimiri, where we quench our thirst with coconut milk and set up our mosquito net and bed in a stilt house made of bush materials. Finally, after a dinner of cooked yams, we go to bed.

“Fourteen publishers live in this area in three villages. Over the next few days, we witness to each village and find many interested people. We also have the joy of seeing two Bible students legalize their marriage and become approved to serve as Kingdom publishers. The other publishers provide a simple wedding dinner of yams, sago, some edible leaves, and two chickens.

“On Sunday we are thrilled to see 93 villagers attend the public talk! After the meeting, with our backpacks filled, we set off in the midday sun to return to Biwat, where we leave our packs at a Bible student’s home and start witnessing. Several people accept literature; and some, a Bible study. That night, in the home of a Bible student, we eat as we huddle around a fire, with the smoke keeping hordes of mosquitoes at bay.

“Early the next day, we return to our dinghy, slide it back into the river, and head off in the morning mist, entranced by the birdlife and the fish splashing in the water. Families on bamboo rafts packed with goods for the local market quietly pass us going the other way.

“When we get back to our vehicle, we refill the fuel tank in the dinghy and replenish our drinking water and other supplies. Then we set out on the river again, this time to visit the 14 publishers at Kambot. We arrive two hours later, soaked to the bone, thanks to a tropical downpour. From Kambot, we head upriver​—this time with our dinghy full of publishers—​to a large village lining both sides of the river. We witness to these appreciative ones till late in the afternoon. On our way back, we witness to people who are standing on their floating bamboo jetties. Having seen us go upriver in the morning, they are awaiting our return. Since money is rare in this remote area, the villagers show their appreciation for our visit and the tracts we have left with them by donating food​—coconuts, pumpkins, smoked fish, bananas. As the sun sets, we are back in Kambot cooking these items.

“In Kambot, the meeting place stands on stilts, as do all the homes in the area. During the wet season, when the whole area is flooded, people paddle their canoes right to the meeting-place steps. Our visit concludes with 72 in attendance at the public talk, including some who had walked five hours to get here.

“After arriving back at our circuit vehicle and strapping the dinghy onto the roof, we make the three-hour trip home. En route, we reflect on our dear brothers and sisters who live by the Sepik River. We also think about the love Jehovah has for them, as reflected in the effort his organization makes to ensure that they are spiritually well-fed. What a privilege we have to be part of such a wonderful family!”

[Pictures on pages 132, 133]

Left: Circuit overseer Warren Reynolds and his wife, Leann, visit the village of Biwat; above: public talk during his visit to the village of Dimiri