Vol .3; No. I January 1980
Dear Brethren;
Another year has come and gone: As we think back an 1979 it's truly amazing
all the blessings the Lord has heaped upon us. Usually our first report of a
new year has a brief with the statistics of the past year's labors in Goroka.
As you look at the figures we hope you'll be able to view in retrospect thru
our 1979 reports and see the many hours of tears, longing, happiness and labor
involved. Paul Heston a friend of Larry Voyles recently visited from Zambia.
He mentioned that though he read Larry's report every month he couldn't believe
that all those things happen. Now he's been here he knows the things that go
on we DON'T report. Larry is like we are, we can't write about everything that
happens or you'd think us loony (some of you KNOW I am but that doesn't count).
For what they are here are the yearly figures for Goroka:
Baptisms 21 (Just the town
area)
Restorations 105
Attendance:
Jan
Dec
Sunday AM 163
177
Midweek
191
270
Contribution 24.63
53.87
Christians
on Sun 26
38
Highlights:
1. Full support for local Preacher in Goroka
2. Four village leadership schools conducted.
3. Sunday high of 212
4. Thursday high-of 404
5. Printing work
a. over 35,000 tracts Printed
b. Topical Index in Pidgin English Printed
c. over 1500 BCC (sets)
d. over 100,000 misc Bible material Printed.
We weren't able to write our Dec report in time for publication. We were in
Australia. We went down there for R&R (rest & recuperation). All total
we were there for three weeks. We flew from Goroka to Port Moresby to Cairns
in Northern Australia. We were met after customs by the Doyle clan who loaded
us up in there VW combibus and took us to their house (Look mom what followed
us home can we keep them!). The church in Cairns meets in a school building
with usually 4-6 Christians. We really want to thank the Doyle's for their hospitality.
While there in Cairns we took a tour train trip up to the Tablelands where most
of Queensland's food is grown. The train was right out of the Old West, cinders
and all! A real ball! We left Cairns (after Ralph Doyle tried unsuccessfully
to teach me cricket) an the express train (only stops at every other hicktown).
We disembarked 81 hours later in Townsville where we spent the weekend with
the Bob Marks family. We had over 20 in worship Sunday. We even got to go shopping
at a K-Mart and go to Pizza Hut.
We reboarded the train to go on to Brisbane. We spent 2 nights and 1 day in
a sleeper compartment. (no sheets or blankets but what should you expect in
economy class). The toilets dumped right out on the tracks so people were asked
not to use the toilets while the train was in a station. But guess what the
train did every time you entered the toilet - you got it, it stopped !!!!
While in Brisbane we stayed with the Bowells and worshiped with the Wynnum
congregation. We spent most of time roaming thru the stores. Target, K-Mart,
Radio Shack and McDonald's getting the lion's share of the time. I even had
my fill of cantaloupes (80¢ compared with $4 in PNG).
We returned to PNG and spent a few days in Port Moresby. The McAnally's and
the Fords were on their way back to the states for leave and so we saw them
off.
We arrived back in Goroka jungle land early Monday morning. They had been having
enough rain that everything had grown up jungle green. Our dog had even had
8 pups. (and 2000 fleas). Andy Scott met us at the plane with good news: the
gray bus was still working (BAD NEWS: the coaster bus needed a new clutch, and
the blue bug had a seized up engine.) He couldn't believe it when I told him
I couldn't hear him. By Thursday both buses were back on the road (engines run
better with oil in them).
Be advised that the Nov 79 Chimbu Report might become a collectors item. Especially
the picture of the Landcruiser. On a quick (really can't say that two days is
quick) trip to Lae in mid December the Landcruiser went kaputtttttttt ! the
main bearings had had all they could stand and they wouldn't stand anymore so
they seized up on the crankshaft. Oh, happy day! It cost us $600 to put another
engine in it. But Lord willing that's all.
By the time some of you receive this newsletter you will have already been
contacted in hopes that you will help us at this time. We are hoping to be able
to buy a NEW four wheel drive vehicle that will last us at least 5 years. The
Landcruiser we have (had) was bought secondhand from Joe Cannon in 1976. He
had bought it with low mileage in 1971. It has 57,000 bush miles on it . After
looking around for another 4WD for the village work, and after talking with
the banker here we decided the practical thing to do was buy a new 4WD. After
looking around and passing out at some of the prices we found the car. A 1979
Subaru 4-wheel drive station wagon. Here's what sold us:
SUBARU
LANDCRUISER
M.P.G.
35
10-15 ($1.80/gal)
initial cost
$9,000
$16,170
tires
$30 each
$70 each
registration
$100 Yr
$150 yr
Since it will be a new car there should be minimum upkeep costs in the inItial
running. The bank here has graciously extended credit for $4500.- $150 per month
for two years. Hopefully we won't have to pay 13% interest and we can pay cash.
WILL YOU HELP US, PLEASE ! Last count we had $3000 given by one Christian family
(you know we love and appreciate your sacrifice for the Lord's work). Lord willing
we will be able to pick it up by mid-January. Our cruiser will be sold and after
new bills (for it's upkeep) are deducted we should have some to go towards the
Subaru. If you will help sent you funds marked "New Car" New Guinea
Work Fund Northside ChURch of Christ , 2510 Highway 62 Jeffersonville Indiana,
47130 or/ Box 878, Goroka, Papua New Guinea.
As if that wasn't enough for December, the Papua New Guinea government revalued
their currency up 5%. The value for our American dollar dropped from 72¢
tooooooo 68¢ per PNG kina. We lost $100 buying power per month.
As we close 1979 and begin 1980 we want to wish You and Yours a very prosperous
New Year. We Pray the Lord will continue to use You up in His service and for
His kingdom. We want to thank all of You who have made it Possible for us to
labor here in Papua New Guinea through You contributions and Prayers. We Pray
that we are found worthy of Your continued support.
Yours in Christ,
the HUFFS
P.S. Santa Claus (Mrs.Santa ?) must be getting forgetful. He came twice at our house. Two days after Christmas our kids woke to more gifts under the tree. Just living right as my mudder would say !!!!