5000 Arrows. A True Account of Christ's Supernatural Power Among Cannibals and Headhunters

192 Pages·2014·2.08 MB·English

by  Mason Hughes

Mason Hughes—named “Good Master” by the natives of Papua New Guinea in
recognition of his years of service and love for them—has written this
compelling story of divine intervention. Poignant and powerful, the book draws
the reader to new levels of faith and hope as accounts of God’s miraculous reach
are demonstrated through the transforming work of the gospel in this nation.
Arrows—once symbols of war—became symbols of peace to the tribes through
the redemptive power of God! Take hold of this book and receive a fresh
understanding of a profound heritage as told by a missionary after God’s own
heart!
—DR. GLENN BURRIS JR.
PRESIDENT, THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH
The title was probably all you needed to pick up this book, but the title only
hints at all God did in Papua New Guinea through the ministry and leadership of
Mason and Virgene Hughes. And while this book is about God’s supernatural
power in the past, it also holds forth the expectation that God still moves in
power through His people today. As you read about and rejoice over the miracles
and changed lives, ask yourself, “Why not here and now?” and then, “Why not
me?” The Holy Spirit is filling the church to overflowing, and He will fill you
for His great exploits through you!
—DR. JAMES C. SCOTT JR.
DIRECTOR, FOURSQUARE MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL
From the tribes of Papua New Guinea to the high-rise executive buildings in
Singapore, with simplicity and compassion Doc and Virgene have made a mark
on humanity. As their pastor and longtime friend, I have been privileged to hear
their stories and humbled to be a part of their lives. Answering the call of God to
go into all the world, they have seen the power of Jesus bring salvation to
savages, deliverance to the demonized, healing to the hurting, and even life to
the dead! This book, 5,000 Arrows, is the true story of a couple whose sole
desire is to let their light shine before men so that the world can see their good
works and glorify their Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). May the Hughes’
miraculous journey of faith serve not only as a testimony of what God has done
through them, but an inspiration of how He can use you to change your world
through the power of Jesus Christ!
—DALE JENKINS
LEAD PASTOR, NEW HOPE WORSHIP CENTER,
CONCORD, NC
Dr. Mason Hughes is one of America’s premier missionaries. He is courageous,
strong, and humble. His blend of intelligence and grace has made him a mighty
warrior in the kingdom for many years. The people of Papua New Guinea and
the world have been mightily blessed because of the life of Mason Hughes.
Thousands have come to Christ and many more will come to Christ because of
the sacrifices he and his family have made. I am so proud to say I am a friend of
Mason Hughes.
—RICKY TEMPLE
PASTOR, OVERCOMING BY FAITH MINISTRY,
SAVANNAH, GA

5,000 ARROWS: A TRUE ACCOUNT OF CHRIST’S SUPERNATURAL POWER AMONG
CANNIBALS AND HEADHUNTERS by Dr. Mason and Virgene
Hughes and Dr. Harold and Denise Abner
Published by Creation House
A Charisma Media Company
600 Rinehart Road
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
www.charismamedia.com
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic,
mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written
permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America
copyright law.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the New King James
Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.,
publishers. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International
Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010, 2011, International Bible Society.
Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.
All stories are original as told by Mason and Virgene Hughes.
Some stories revised from 5,000 Arrows transcribed and authored by Sidney
Moore, 1973 by C.F.M. Press, Pico River, CA. Used by permission.
All photos provided by the Hughes family collection.
Design Director: Bill Johnson
Cover design by Marcos Huasta and Nathan Morgan
Copyright © 2014 by Mason Hughes
All rights reserved.
Visit the author’s website: www.5000arrows.com.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: 2014937542
International Standard Book Number: 978-1-62136-753-6
E-book International Standard Book Number: 978-1-62136-754-3
While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers
and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the
author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after
publication.
We dedicate this book to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is and will
always be the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 2:12). We are
humbled by His many blessings and callings on our lives and the
opportunities He has provided to serve Him.
We also dedicate this book to the leadership of The Foursquare
Church, as they were willing to entrust us and support us to go into all
the world and share His gospel.
Thirdly, we dedicate this book to the people of Papua New Guinea
who responded and received the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which brought supernatural transformation in their lives.
And lastly, this book is dedicated to our loving family. They
persevered and stood by us through all the good times and difficult
times for all the years that we served on the foreign mission field—
especially our five children: Stephanie, who married Larry and works
with him in the county store they own in Bladensburg, Ohio; Bruce,
who married Kay, served four years in the USMC, and retired after
twenty-eight years in the Ohio police force; Sondra, who married
Gordon who retired after thirty-four years working at the Freightliner
plant in North Carolina; Michele, who married Bob who builds car
engines for NASCAR; and Denise, who married Hal who retired from
the U.S. Army and both serve in their local church.
Thank you. We love you all.
Hughes family, 2014 (left to right—back row: Denise, Michele, Sondra,
Bruce, and Stephanie; front row: Virgene and Mason)
CONTENTS
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Preface
Chapter 1
Life, Courtship, and Marriage
Chapter 2
Off to the Dark Beyond
Chapter 3
Wau and Buckingham Palace
Chapter 4
Some Firsts in the Dunantina Valley
Chapter 5
Spiritual Missionaries
Chapter 6
Hageri, the New Mission Station
Chapter 7
Tabiak and Sunupala
Chapter 8
“Make Disciples”
Chapter 9
Inagori: The Making of a Missionary
Chapter 10
Metikau’s Call to Serve God
Chapter 11
Miracles, God’s Testimony
Chapter 12
Sovereign Acts of God
Chapter 13