My name is Mina Thomas, and I come from Enga Province in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. My biological family has nine siblings. I was adopted into the Thomas family, with whom I am now living. Because I was brought up in missions, I have been involved in world missions, and even went overseas as a missionary with Operation Mobilization. I served for three years on board the MV Doulos, the oldest ocean-going passenger ship and the largest floating bookshop in the world. Now I am serving as the receptionist at the head office of the Bible Translation Association in Port Moresby.
 
I am doing this because I feel that God created me for a purpose. I am created first to worship Him and second to love Him. Because God's love is so profound in my life, I want to make His love known to others. This motivates me to be involved in seeing God's Word known, understood, and lived out in other people's lives. I grew up knowing the work of BTA and, seeing the need for a receptionist, I volunteered to help. I feel that the little part I play here will contribute to the work of seeing the Word of God translated into the languages we work with.
 
I have found that with God nothing is impossible. When I did not do well in my grade 10 exams, for example, I felt that was the end of my education and the end of the dreams I had for my life. Looking back, however, I am grateful for God's grace and find joy in the earlier decision I made to be involved in missions. I said "Here I am, God. You know what is best for me, and what you have planned out for my life. May your will be done in my life.” I see now that all that I dreamed of I have achieved, and words cannot adequately express how great God is to me. I stand in awe of all that He is revealing to me and all that He has done in my life. I can confidently say it is a joy to serve God, and that as you know and do God's will, His grace will keep you.
 
To me, God's Word means life.