VOLUME 4; No.8
AUGUST 1981
DEAR BRETHREN:
Greetings in the name of Jesus
Upcoming
"THE THIRD ANNUAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA FORUM OCTOBER 9-10
To be in Texarkana
For more Information write:
WALNUT ST. CHURCH OF CHRIST, 12th & WALNUT, TEXARKANA, TEXAS 75501
We hope you will plan to attend now. Missionaries, elders who have visited the
field here and others will be hosting this forum for your benefit to help you
understand a bit better our labors here.
25 YEAR PLAN
During our annual missionary workshop here in P.N.G. this year, discussion was
again centered around the fulfillment of the 25 year plan to evangelize Papua
New Guinea. The main theme of the Plan is the establishment of Key Strategic
Centers here in PNG where a team would operate from as a hub to evangelize areas
where these centers service. in addtion to these 5 Key Strategic Centers, there
are 15 Key Centers under them. All of these centers have to be manned (or womened)
to effectively evangelize this country for Christ.
As of this year one of the Key Strategic Centers and 14 of the Strategic Centers
have not been developed.
MOVING TO NEW FRONTIERS
With these facts in mind Kathy and I have given thought to moving into one of
these undeveloped areas and helping to establish it. New personnel are planning
to arrive in the future. Instead of over-staffing our centers our thoughts are
on the new frontiers. If and when we move our hopes are to go with a new missionary
family and use our experiences as a guide. New personnel would be encouraged
to help in established areas until they feel confident in doing new works.
KEY STRATEGIC CENTER: RABAUL
Of the Key Centers Rabaul is the only one undeveloped. Reports from the Rabaul
area: the people are very worldly (due to affluence); a strong feeling against
"whites" by some due to their past experiences with colonial settlers;
isolation, due to it being on an off island. But Rabaul is the hub of the off
island work. Can't go now as it would cost over $1,000 to go see.
STRATEGIC CENTER: MADANG
Madang was considered: a Strategic Center where brethren are meeting but ,no
fill-time workers since Joe Reynolds left in 1976. We didn't go look because
we couldn't find anywhere to stay. (Holiday season, bookings full.)
MENDI: SPYING OUT THE LAND
In consideration for a move was the kids schooling. Terasa will be in grade
6 and Jason grade 3 next year. During the July school holiday (2 weeks) we decided
to check out Mendi. Mendi: 200 miles from Goroka on the Highway; located further
in the interior; the church has just begun to meet there; headquarters of the
Southern Highlands. During my patrol in 1979 we flew in and out of Mendi.
We loaded up the car and drove to Mendi (easy to write). We were booked to
stay in the United Church guest Hostel: sperate bedrooms with common eating
and bathrooms (his & hers). The church meets in the house of Uria. Uria
was baptized in Goroka in 1975 and is now the official artist for the government
there in Mendi. He, his wife and two ladies who had been baptized in Lae worship
together. We arrived on Saturday afternoon in the rain with a flat tire. Being
payday weekend the streets were loaded with drunks, some of whom daring cars
to hit them. So sad, even here in the more remote areas beer is still over abundant.
On Sunday morning we were up early and found Urial's house. His wife was working
until 3:00 pm (she is a nurse) so we agreed to worship at 4:00 pm. in the meantime
we toured the town, and had another flat tire (and one of the spares was airless).
We found out that at this time it would be impractical for us to move here to
Mendi as there is no schooling for the kids.
At 4:00 we began a very inspirational hour (2 hours) of worship. We had planned
to stay in Mendi for a week but since we knew what we had come to find out we
decided to go back to Mt. Hagen for a couple of days. So, Monday morning while
our tires were being repaired we visited all the stores (5). You should have
stayed with us at the hostel for the meals: spaghetti with canned fish over
toast; baked beans with egg over hard. Hopefully later this year we will be
able to go see Madang or Rabaul.
VISITORS FROM AFAR
Several brethren have visited from the states: Ken Wilkey and Bro. & Sis
Path from Texas A & M, their return flight took off a day before they did;
and Gene Jones and Marlin Henley, elders from Maryland Heights Mo. who support
Sam Kirkpatrick. It was sure good to see them again.
TROOP MOVEMENTS
Several of our missionary assistants who were here for a short period have returned
to the states: Sid Walker, Steve Smith and Robert Holmes all from Texas A&M
and Karol Kennedy from Shreveport Christian. The Rick Nilands arrived back from
medical treatment for Rick in Australia. Also coming for several weeks was Phil
Edwards, Nashville. Woody Square and Judy Brown also departed.
NEW SCHOOL TERM PREPARATIONS
In preparation for our Bible School term Aug.3 I loaded my bike up and left
early on Sunday morning. I went to the villages to confirm who was to return
to school and to recruit new students. I traveled over 200 km to: Koge, Bima
Piau, Serikogi, Kewai and Watabung. I took the motorbike because some of the
bridges were out and I could always ride across (shake across) the steel center
supports. A Suzuki 250cc road bike is not made for 45 degree grades. But after
slip-clutching I finally made it up the hill on the third try. I was able to
visit all the places and return to Goroka after 9 hours. (A hard way to earn
$1.34). 1 signed up 16 students who Jab picked up in the bus the following Saturday.
We are expecting over 20 this term.
PRINTING PROGRESS
During July we began printing the concordance, 19 pages so far. John began printing
the song book in Pidgin English. We began final work on a 1982 calendar showing
what the church is doing here in PNG. These calenders are to be mailed to churches
and individuals who support our labors and to help you better understand what
"for heaven's sake" is being done here.
LORD OF HARVEST LOOKS AFTER REAPERS
The Lord continues to look over our travels here. Paul McAnally had his truck
'totaled' this month. His wife suffered cuts. Their daughter was unhurt. The
truck was being driven by a Japanese Missionary assistant with Paul driving
a dump truck behind. The truck hit washboard road and flipped off. The life
expectancy of cars here is 11 months. Guess how old his was You are right 11
months old. It was fully insured.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
Your Servants,
The Huffs