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: 28th June 2023
Dear Pastor, Church, and All Supporters:
Ac 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Ac 14:28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
I would like to deliberate some on recent events and as you read, perhaps you (may) consider (yourself) being in the story.
Some of God’s people go through great trails, some are severely persecuted, some are martyred, some are named, and others go unnamed (in this life). Still others (God’s people) suffer at the hands of those who are called by His Name, (other children of God).
The Bible is full of details, real lives, real accounts, real history!! For many this is no more than a ‘story book’ brings emotions, tears, joy, peace, assurance and challenges’ however, little does it do for (many) in changing their lives.
In the twenty years I spent in Malawi, Mozambique Africa, many personal things were stolen, once I returned with the things I had in my possession. The vehicles were spared and I started all over with a empty house (would you)?
I transitioned to PNG where I found stiff resistance to the Biblical Baptistic way of ministry, I have written many reports in the past seven years. Much opposition to my teaching, to unteach. The relentless attacks by the wicked were enough to discourage the strongest, however when your character, name, ministry and person is attacked one begins to question am I where God wants me? Isn’t this the desire of God’s people? The very people I went to help, and minister to were the very people attacking my ministry. It all had to do with (personal) reasons that related to money. The pastors had turned into hirlings, the churches were held captive to Catholic doctrine and lived in fear, I am not so sure that PNG is the only place where this happens!
I started the Bible Academy in Mt. Hagen when I had returned to PNG back in April of 2021, this was (for me) the test, challenge to see and know if the LORD wanted me to stay on. For nine months I taught, and in six-month time of consistent class activity, one thousand hours, not your normal schooling.
As I began to wear away, five days a week teaching most of the day, studying, preparing the lessons, translation work (to you the reader), have you tried to do translation -one language to another? I often hear, well I can’t do that if I am doing this? Maybe its how you manage your time!
My Sat’s were loaded, all day Sunday preaching and transporting people to and fro. I began to prepare for a exodus knowing I was coming apart. Mr 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
Mr 6:32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately
Two weeks prior to my departure, travel itinerates were set in order, and word came in from the old mission station, where most of my things are kept. I do spend time there and I do have a house there. Armed criminals broke into the house, (not lock picking) not breaking a window, no, no, no! Rather destroyed two doors and entered in, wrecking the house, stealing any and all what they desired to take, clothes, bedding, footwear etc. the list goes on.
Once again, my privacy has been violated, I have tried to be a good steward of what God gives me, patching, sewing, repairing, using and reusing. Things that I have made work for the past thirty years. I watch how people in this country (throw out) or mis-use, or say its no good, or used up, oh Really!
The house being open, no armed security to guard the house – would you leave your house, all that you had, and go away? ‘Oh Bro. Peter’ God knows, He is Sovereign, He will take care of you’…. Yes, indeed He will, am I complaining? NO, am I sharing yes, am I communicating to you about things that have happened on the ‘other mission field’ yes, did not Paul speak of the blessings, and trials, did Paul hide his experiences? Why should I?
The military truck that was shipped for the work is safe and parked in a secure area where I lodge. The Land Rover, you the supporter – will see the condition and hear in person what I have had to drive.
My return here to the USA, has left me with a broken, and empty home, a carcass. My return (not sure when)? Will welcome me with the same.
I want to end this report with this: “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, with my soul.”
Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives. There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies. But with faith in a loving God and with trust in His divine help, we can confidently say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”