SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST MISSION

International – Papua New Guinea / Malawi Africa

P.O. Box 60150 Ndirande Bt. 6 Blantyre Malawi /
P.O. Box 233 - Mt Hagen (WHP) Papua New Guinea

Tanggi Mission Station – North Koroba, Hela Province, PNG

Missionary / Evangelist:  Peter A. Halliman

Email: panagioite042gmail.com

Website:  sgbm-malawi-africa.com

 

Date:   16th July 2020

Dear Pastor, Church, & All Supporters;

Continued from Part Ten (10) …. This is Part Eleven (11) in Series

Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Psalms 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Day Eleven (11) 30th April 2020 (Thursday)

The day started early, still dark at 0500 hrs but people already stirring and anxious to break camp, the energy could be felt as it had been several days since we had all seen home as we know it to be.

My coffee was ready, I had some pig-meat fried up and together with rice this would be my breakfast and would sustain me until I reached home.

The backpacks again were packed, checked and rechecked, the medic-pack is one of those packs that stays near me and of course I carry my own smaller pack which still has a fair bit of weight, I carry up to two litres of water, (near two-thirds a gallon) other personal items, etc.

By first light we were in motion and said our farewells to those we would leave behind, again the protocol for the many people who were within our group, still we had some sixty-three going back to Tanggi mission station area. 

Through the morning hours, we set off at a brisk hike, it was not long we were ascending  the first mountain, this first one would be the biggest and steepest, it would top out near eight thousand feet elevation.

This being the last day, and leg of the hike, journey and mission patrol we all were anxious to get home, none more than I, therefore I encouraged all to maintain a stiff hike.

We did not take a break until we arrived at the first river, which is located between the first and second mountain. 

I was ready for the break, and being cold mountain water it is refreshing to wash ones face, head etc… for me the plates which, were used to re-construct the left side of my face many years ago when I was stoned (this would be the biblical stoning), many times the plates will heat up (body heat added together with climate heat) therefore, I must keep a handkerchief handy and when I can I keep it wet with mountain streams along the hikes.

With the second mountain in front of us we pushed on, the sun was up, the cool of the morning hours had long passed and we were now into the heat of the day. 

The second mountain was behind us and we all stopped on the top of the second mountain for a lunch break.

I was really only interested in keeping hydrated but did take some time to eat some peanuts and honey.

The boost gave me enough energy to push on, I had one thought in mind, “it would be good to take my bath in my own home,  and to sleep in my own bed tonight”.

The last mountain seemed to give way to the appetite for just getting home, with the decent in view and finally coming to a point we could see the mission station, it was as though all the miles behind us faded away and we all forgot the many hours and miles we had travelled in the past days.

Muddy, tired, hot and sweaty I finally arrived at the house, one by one the people who had assisted dropped off the packs and went on to their respective homes.  It was 1330 hrs (1:30) pm, when I arrived home.

The domestic chores started straight away, all the dirty laundry, emptying of backpacks, some items to be put away in the house.  Preparation for washing, cleaning and sorting the gear was under way.

Firstly, I had my bath water heated and though I take a bucket-bath, however it is in the privacy of my own home and that makes all the difference to me.  Having bathed, fitted out with clean clothes, I enjoyed a good cup of hot tea! 

As I sat in the house, reflecting over the past days, and hours, and miles that the LORD had led us through and back, I rejoiced to know the LORD indeed was Sovereign and had planned from before the foundations of the world that this group of people would be found, a new church would be established, they would have their own pastor and a new work would begin.

For eleven days I had slept in a sleeping bag, sometimes in a tent, sometimes in a bush house but now I took a rest on my bed, nice!

Evening came, the domestic chores still to be done, I cooked a simple meal and called it a day.  It was good to be home; it was good to sit at a table and good to sit in a proper chair.

I retired early and thanked the LORD for bringing me home once again. 

Day Twelve (12) 1st May 2020 - Friday

With a good night’s sleep, I was wakened to the cock-crowing, it was nice to be home and to rise without the talking and noise of the natives.  Understand something, they know nothing about ‘personal space’ or quietness, they know nothing about timetables or a routine, to them it is ‘anything goes’ whenever, wherever. 

I enjoyed my coffee and breakfast, (on a table) and I enjoyed my quiet morning hours, and I enjoyed a morning (hot) bath just because I could.

Washing clothes and backpacks were on the ‘to do list’ for today, it takes a lot of scrubbing and washing to get the body odour out from the fabric of the packs, there is a locally made soap here, very near the old fashioned (lye soap), I use it for many things, including bathing in the bush.  It will clean where the laundry detergent will not, and with an old-fashioned scrub brush and some elbow grease there isn’t much that will not, not come clean.

There were four of us that were engaged in the cleaning and with everything being washed and rinsed by hand it takes some time.  I will make a comment here for whatever it is worth…. If you have to carry your own water in a bucket, you will be sure to use the water wisely, if you have to hand-wash your clothes, you will be careful what you wear, when you wear it, and how you treat your clothes, if you have to hang out- (some still do) you will be sensitive to time and weather, if you have to iron, fold, and put away or hang up your clothes, you will appreciate what you have, and NOT complain, when someone graces you with a new garment.

Though the day was busy and somewhat hard, I was still getting over the past eleven days, it was still good to be home and I didn’t mind the aches and discomforts.  I knew I was home and I could at any time rest if (need be). 

The LORD graced us with good weather and before the afternoon hours most of the clothes and items were washed, dried and taken indoors.  Some of the heavy backpacks and items, boots and gear were not yet dry but would finish up tomorrow.

The evening was once again upon us, no fast food, no take-aways, no ordering out, no driving down to the local dinner, we are the local diner, If you don’t cook, you don’t eat, that simple.

The life here is much as it was in biblical days, and even in the USA many years back, one would have to go back to the 1800’ or early 1900’ in America to see the life as it is still here.

People say now-a-days, “well, I am just too busy” exactly, emphasis on “too”, no home life for many, no home structure, no ‘family time’ for many, no time spent in dialogue, no time for much of anything (except) what one ‘wants to do’!

Until our next report, may our LORD keep each of you, thanking each of you for your prayers and sacrificial giving.  I could not do what I do without your help.

 

In His Name,

Missionary Peter A. Halliman