SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) — It's quiet in the back room at the Shawnee Regional Airport.

Aside from sniffling, the occasional air motor and a phone ringing, it's quiet.

Bert Murib, a native of Papua, Indonesia, wiped away his tears as he explained why he traveled about 8,350 miles to Shawnee, Oklahoma.

His tears may have stopped, but his motivation to help his people have a constant flow of food, clothes, resources and independence will never end.

Murib has been on a roller coaster journey trying to help his people stand on their own two feet. He said he was left with guiding words from his father,...