Friendship & Transformation: The Story of Rose and Bern

One of the most powerful parts of returning to Papua New Guinea year after year is the joy of continuing relationships. For Tana (Montana) Allison, a YWAMer who has come to Madang three times now, those relationships have become the heart of her time here.

On her very first trip, Tana and her friends went to the local fish market hoping to find someone to take them out fishing. That is where she first met Rose, who introduced them to her husband Bern. He gladly welcomed them onto his boat for a day of fishing, but what began as an adventure soon grew into a friendship with their whole family.

Rose and Bern live on a small island in Madang. They are raising five children of their own, but their home is always open to many others from their community. Over time, Tana and her team began to spend more and more time with them, sharing meals, worshipping together, telling stories, and exploring nearby islands. Each year, the connection grew deeper.

As the friendship continued, conversations about faith became more natural. The team shared about the freedom found in Christ, gave the family a Bible, and encouraged them to keep pressing in. Tana recalls nights spent cooking dinner with Mama Rose, singing with the kids, and simply doing life together. “I could tell they were hungry for more,” she said.

This year something extraordinary happened. Before visiting Rose and Bern again, Tana’s co-leader Sam Fegely had a dream of the couple being baptized. The team prayed about it and felt God prompting them to bring up baptism. When they shared their own stories of surrendering to Jesus, Rose and Bern knew it was time. They chose to give their lives fully to Christ and take the next step of baptism.

After three years of relationship, discipleship, laughter, and shared life, Tana got to witness the incredible moment of Rose and Bern declaring their faith. “Going to places one time and sharing the Gospel is powerful,” Tana reflected, “but there is something so rich and beautiful about continuous friendship and discipleship that transforms hearts.”

Today, Rose and Bern are continuing their journey with Jesus. With the influence they already have in their community, their lives are now reflecting the heart of God to those around them.

What started with a fishing trip has grown into a story of transformation. For Tana, it has been a reminder of how God works through relationships, consistency, and love that lasts.

Written by Garrett Shue

Photos by Tana Allison