September 2024 – Sovereign Grace Baptist Mission International

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: panagioite04@gmail.com
Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com

Date: 12^th Sept 2024

Dear Pastor, Church, & All Supporters:

Special Vehicle Report – Continued (Part 2)

When I returned to PNG in 2021, I knew exactly what I would face when I did, a broken-down vehicle, that would cost me not only in terms of money to keep it mechanically running, but the time, energy, and effort needed. Bear with me a bit as I share some real time effort. The starter motor had to be removed and rebuilt, since no Land Rover parts are available here in PNG any longer, I had to look for internal parts that (could fit) meaning other types of vehicles., I can spell out all the part names, but suffice it to be, I simply rebuilt, the entire starter motor. The water pump I had to rebuild, fabricate my own O-rings, bearings etc. The water-hose popes (cooling system) had cavities eaten into the cast Aluminium over the years, steam leaked out, all this had to be remedied, I will save the laborious reading. There was no blower motor for the cab heater/windscreen, no wiper system period! I used bar soap on the windscreen. The engine had lost most of its torque, all ball joints were worn out, tied up with rubber straps, both rear axle (half-shafts) had broken over the years, welded and rewelded. The front prop-shaft I had cut two second hand prop-shafts and fabricated one good one, the rear prop-shaft – universal joint was secured in position with oversized washers, tack-welded, engine mounts were made out of lawyers of inner-tube rubber, the story goes on. The vehicle was secured with rubbers straps, wire, welded, etc…. The rear doors were locked and tack-welded shut because the door sills had been cracked/ broken over and over by the slamming of doors by the natives. The panels were aluminium, so this required Tig welding – expensive here. The seat cushions had been torn over the years, replaced with foam for bedding and secured with duct tape. The story is endless, enough of that!

The engine stated, the gearbox went into gear, and I drove where I could, however the vehicle could not leave Mt. Hagen area due to frequent breakdowns. I didn’t complain, I just did what I had to do, and got on with it.

I had considered buying a Toyota Land Cruiser 4X4 pick up here but, the price was up to $120, 000.USD and besides they wanted full deposit and then would place the order, no vehicles on any Toyota dealer lot, due to many back orders. The timeline would be ten months to over a year wait, and all the while there was no secure measures put in place regarding the exchange rates. I could not in good conscience put the LORD’S money in a volatile market. My pastor and I both agreed this would be foolish on our parts.

Time passed, the work carried on, I simply did what I could and didn’t do what I could not without a dependable vehicle, that is a daily runner. The last three months of my being here in 2023, was not easy, but I pushed through it.

I was resolved when I left here in May of 2023 that I would not return unless I had a vehicle to purchase and ship to PNG. I had prayed about the matter for just over four years, I did the LORD’S work no matter if it was easy or hard, I just did it. I question those who say they are called to the LORD’S work, and when the least little headache comes along, they go off the rails.

I had been looking for another Land Rover for the last five years, with much prayer, (and many others too) that the LORD would provide a good vehicle for the mission work, (one that I could afford) not only to purchase, but to operate etc. Whilst I was still in the USA, I found the Land Rover which, I have purchased, it was for sale in AU and published through a website for (new, used, like new) vehicles, not just Land Rovers. I made contact, the owner and I communicated through different forms, voice, text, email, WhatsApp video, and facetime. Much was discussed, information was exchanged and so on. I learned he was the only owner since new, the usage was primarily (long haul) trips touring around AU. He had all receipts for service, off road upgrades, etc. of which I will share some within this special report.

When enough talking had been passed it was time to make a firm decision, I prayed again, and again about this decision. We are to be good stewards of the LORD’S money (not our money) – BUT, I have outlined this before in my reports… (what money do you have, which is not the LORD’S money? You may say, I work at a public job so many hours a week, yes and I put in on an average of eighty-four hours a week in my work!

The owner agreed to hold the vehicle until I came back to PNG via AU to view, test drive, and make the final decision. Fast forward, it was nine months that the owner waited, I communicated frequently with Adrian (the owner). The advert was still ongoing, and it was really a first come first serve basis, however he did promise me he would hold it. As with many unbelievers, we normally don’t put much stock in what they promise. However, if GOD is in it… God will make the promise good, and all will work out just as GOD wants it to work out.

I was still a member of Providence Bap in Henderson TX, and my former pastor Steve Fulton had not been well for many months. The vehicle fund money was in the main mission account which, he was the signatory not I, I relate all this, as there are dots, I want to connect to show you how the LORD’S Sovereignty works. I had come to a decision after (some fourteen months of prayer and consideration that I faced in a decision. Bro. Fulton had suggested on several occasions that I might need to consider another sending/sponsoring church, due to the heavy load on him.

It was a hard decision for me, but needful for the work, when the decision came to make the move, I did so and by April I was a member of Faith Bap church in Seffner, Fl. With pastor Bro. Tate Pierce.

With the move also came a big shift in logistics, finances, etc. with my time running out in terms of my departure to PNG, I needed to have not only the funds to purchase the vehicle but also all the other added expenses too.

The very day of departure, as I was ready to board my flight from Birmingham, AL to Houston, TX I called Bro. Fulton, in less than a ten-minute conversation, he informed me and gave me confirmation of the funds that had been transferred to my mission account for the purchase of the vehicle. Though the LORD seems to be four days late, He is right on TIME!

I took my flight, arriving in Australia, met by Adrian and I spent the next four days with Adrian and his family. In that time, I had opportunity to test drive, inspect the vehicle and ask questions. I was more convinced than ever, and it turned out the vehicle was fitted for off road, of which I will share some, mostly for those men who are mechanically minded.

All Land Rovers are permanently locked (four-wheel) advantage over most (so called) full time four-wheel-drive, this gives me great versatility here in PNG. The vehicle is a double-cab pickup-with the rear tray removed and a custom fitted aluminium canopy fitted, that is totally lockable, two sides, and rear open via small shock absorbers fitted.

Long range fuel tanks are fitted meaning, factory (20-gallon tank) additional tank (fitted under canopy/ tray – Aluminium constructed – (35 gallons). Has a 20 gal. water tank fitted with valves. A roof rack fitted, came with all terrain German tyres on Alloy rims, with extra set of (factory-steel) wheels / new mud grips.

Interior – long range VHF (two-way radio) fitted, seats have water-proof covers (Land Rover fitted), sound proofing fitted in cab/ floor. Air-con, and a GOOD -heater, nice blower motor. Six-speed gearbox, with a 2.2 L Ford engine (Turbo) Diesel four cylinder. I manage to get 17-20 mpg with a heavy load in the mountains.

I had the windows tinted as dark as they could (illegal in AU) but the vehicle is in PNG (doesn’t’ matter here) in fact you want this here, the sun is strong, and the peeping toms are on another level. A thief cannot steal what he cannot see!!

I also had window security (aluminium plate) cut out to specified distances between the sections, it’s not wire, its plate cut out via water jets and secured to the body of vehicle for strength. Pics will explain.

The hardware underneath has solid axles (the only kind) half shafts are upgrade heavy-duty off-road grade, with a rear-diff-air-locker, some will know what this is. Front it has a five ton Warn winch (that works, there are two off road spot lamps with a heavy-duty bull bar, side steps.

I will stop this part of the report, enough has been said, and the final report with pictures will be following this shortly.

In His Name,

Missionary Peter Halliman

Date: 26^th August 2024

Dear Pastor, Church, & All Supporters:

Special Report on Vehicle

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

This report will, no doubt run into several sequels in order that you might digest the full story, without being taxied out upon one reading. I know some supporting churches choose to read the mission reports during a mid-week service, therefore I will keep my writings short for ease of reading, when enough information has been shared then I will move on to another episode of the work.

The Apostles (some more than others) wrote in detail about their journeys, encounters, problems, trials, persecutions, and the blessings of the LORD’S workings, it is all included and (IF) the H.S. thought it important to include all the challenges, mishaps (humanly speaking), the frustrations and challenges (and the H.S) did, then also today why should it be different.

The reason some mission reports don’t have much to read, is because there isn’t much being done. I have difficulty culling out some events and details, it is real time, real events, and real people that I labour amongst. There was a time, that someone said to me, (Bro. Peter we don’t need to hear all the details), I understand that, but there are others, who are interested in the ‘details’.

This journey for a new (newer) vehicle a daily driver began nearly five years ago, I will not repeat all the work that I had carried out on the old Land Rover, but will bring to light some highlights, as this reporting will bring anew, make afresh the great need for a vehicle, what it took to get it, what God allowed me to go through, in order to arrive at this point. I will very quickly point out, if you have a second-hand vehicle in the USA, and you’re thinking it’s not good enough, I have a few questions for you as you read this report.

Starting with the old Land Rover, it had over five hundred thousand miles (mostly off road) ardours driving, heavy laden, it was a work horse for the mission work in Malawi, and then PNG. After twelve years in Malawi having served in two countries, (Malawi / Mozambique) then it was shipped to PNG to continue in the work here. From 2016 to

2019 the vehicle performed beyond expectations, every three months I had to replace all rubber bushings, & shocks. The chassis had cracked in several places, which I welded back, retempered, rebuilt the alternator, starter-(twice), water pump (once), completed rebuilt the suspension (off-road) equipment, uprated the shocks, rubber bushings, all steering components, and on the list went. I have showed slides (a witness & testimony) to what I have done, in order to squeeze out some more mileage. The stories are beyond believing, and most reading this, will never, never experience this type of life.

I started in 2020, making public notice for the great need of another vehicle, I wrote many reports about the vehicle, breakdowns, no parts (in country), fabrication, my own engineering and so on. The workload did not ease because the vehicle was broken down, the demands of the work did not halt because I was either walking, taking public transport, or driving without wipers, and brakes… (would you have continued like this)?

I let everyone know that the vehicle had seen better days, and needed replacement, (before I go further) let me say, my understanding of (its finished, expired, used up) is quite different than most of you. Plastic bags are not thrown out, rather kept, and used for securing hose-pipe water leaks with rubber tubes that cannot be patched any longer. Old bolts that have threads stripped are built up with weld deposit, new threads are cut again with my tap & die set. Broken (PVC)- fuel lines are repaired with rubber hose sections- sealed with plastic bags and industrial two-part epoxy glue. I can go on, but I think you get the point.

I would like to challenge the men in the homes, and churches, before you toss something in the rubbish, (fix it) save the LORD’S money! If its ok for me to, then you can also!

2021 was the year that I presented the urgent need for a vehicle, I had priced different vehicles around the world, UK, AU, PNG, and the US, let me give you some numbers for consideration. In the UK, a Land Rover (the type, model) I have had Land Rover Defender diesel 130 model, was no longer in production (a newer type) $120,000.00 USD but not conducive for the PNG climate, a second-hand (this model) was out of my range. AU, I couldn’t find anyone willing to sell what they had, the US this type of vehicle is not available, Jeeps yes, but the kind that would work, (off-road set up) was going from 80-110,000. USD, out of reach for me.

I committed this to the LORD, offerings came in (2021) up to 45,000. USD. I found one Land Rover Defender in Aussie, just before I departed for PNG, I was settled, the owner was settled, seemed to be the right vehicle. There were some concerns by my former pastor, and I took it as not being the LORD’S will at that time.

I returned to PNG, without a proper vehicle, the old Land Rover was at a stage, day by day maintenance and repairs to keep it running. Overheating, engine mounts gone, brakes (metal to metal) no wiper system at all, living in a country where we have two monsoons in the year, fuse holder worn-means blowing fuses frequently, secure fuses with aluminium foil, factory lights gone, external off-road driving lamps – on and on it

goes. I didn’t complain, I just got on with it. There were days I had to walk, hike, and take public transport.

This continued on for months, I carried water containers, my toolbox, old spare parts, second-hand parts that came off Toyota Land Cruisers, (which, had been fabricated) to fit my Land Rover. I had welded up cracked axle shafts, fabricated my own brake pads, and made my own engine mounts (out of old rubber tubes).

I have some questions, where would the work be if I said, I cannot do this work, or live here without a proper vehicle? Would someone else have come? I have another suggestion, let each supporting church buy a ticket for a member and they come visit this mission work, when they get here, we will again move around like I have for the past several years. They can give their own eye-witness account of what it takes to live and work here.

If you have a running vehicle, and you miss church (why)? What will you say, my vehicle had no brakes? Or the complete wiper system was out, no way to repair…?

I want to thank each of you who have had a part in this great gift, the mana has dropped from heaven. May our LORD bless the work of your hands, smile upon your life and measure out to you as you have meted out to His Work.

To be Continued…

In His Name

Missionary Peter Halliman

Month: September 2024

Special Report on Vehicle, Part 2

Special Report on Vehicle