In a quiet village of the Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, lived an elderly mother devoted to her Catholic faith. For years, she made a humble living by selling betelnut—chewing nut deeply embedded in the culture, but often tied to habits that brought little peace. She would often visit the local pastor’s home, asking for rice ball flour on credit, promising to repay once she sold her day’s betelnuts.
Then, something changed.
Her husband and son began studying the Bible deeply and discovered truths about the Sabbath and God’s commandments. They were moved by the light they found in Scripture, especially regarding the seventh-day Sabbath. Their hearts were stirred, and they made a courageous decision—to leave behind Catholic rituals such as counting rosary beads and displaying statues of Mary in their home. As a family, they began attending the Seventh-day Adventist church at Kupoda in the Imbounggu District.
The transformation didn’t end with church attendance. This old mother began to reflect the spiritual change in her daily life. Realising her income from betelnut didn’t align with the new life she was embracing, she made a simple yet powerful decision: she switched her trade from selling betelnut to selling peanuts.
Today, she walks to the marketplace with dignity, carrying her small bags of peanuts. I, the church pastor, often buy her peanuts when I see her. She no longer comes for credit; she comes with products born of honest labour and renewed purpose.
This is more than a story about changing from betelnut to peanut—it’s about the power of truth to transform lives. It’s about choosing integrity over convenience and aligning your life with God’s Word, even when it costs you something.
This testimony reminds us that. . .
When we walk in God’s light, our old ways no longer feel right.
True faith shows itself in the choices we make every day.
God honours the humble heart willing to change.
Your small beginnings can lead to honourable living.
When we let go of what’s not pleasing to God, He opens better doors for us.
This mother’s story is a reminder: no-one is too old to change, and no habit is too strong to overcome when the heart is surrendered to God.
Harry Nasi is a volunteer missionary in the Southern Highlands Province.
