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: 6th November 2024
Dear Pastor, Church, & All Supporters:
1Jo 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jo 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
The month of October has been laden with the Bible Academy, my timetable and teaching as been as per the following: Monday through Friday of every week, seven hours per day in teaching. The lessons are not library supplied, no prepared script, or lesson outline, I don’t have material that has been prepared by the board of education or Seminary learning centre, no, no, no rather all material must be prepared by myself, translated from different languages to their national language here in PNG. I am not looking for praise or pity, I am communicating to you the reader, supporter (in whatever capacity) that means to you, the work load that I have on my plate.
There is no “free time” for me, the school days are long as I am not seated just handing out a lesson, or outline, these people (the students) are not academically trained, nor have past experience in schooling. There is only one man who is a public school teacher, however his teaching level is that on PNG level, he himself completed grade twelve, no college or university education. All others are grass-roots level, therefore the teaching (must) accompany your audience.
After school, I have translating, typing, and studying the material to make sure (I) get it right… don’t think that preachers always get everything correct! We too make mistakes, we are human, men of the earth and struggle with the (old nature). Every preacher (IF) he is worth his salt will season his ministry with prayer. I ask a simple question? How much time, do you (the reader) spend in your domestic chores, shopping, going to visit friends or family (which, has nothing to do with the ministry), how much time do you spend watching T.V. programs? Ask yourself, how could I better spend my time for the LORD?
I have been at this schedule now for six months without a day off, my Saturdays are packed out with domestic chores, (handwashing my clothes) cleaning the house, preparing meals for the next week, shopping for myself and the school needs. Studying for Sunday. Sundays have been allocated (by request from the students) for me to preach on subjects which, have been raised in class, but no time to teach additional classes. Our Sunday services are usually three hours long, this is open air preaching, if any preacher reading this has preached open air to big crowds you will understand the strain it has on your voice…(no microphone) you are the microphone…when the Bible says Peter lifted up his voice; (Acts 2:14) “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:” This does not mean he spoke like he was dictating or giving a lecture!
The Lord’s work is not just about giving of (material things) though these too are needed in various ways, however, the giving of oneself, time, energy, labour, work, effort, study, teaching, preparing the material. I often wonder how many Sunday School teachers, preachers, seminary instructors etc… study to prepare the material, (from the Bible) not just take other men’s writings and or material? The Bible is the textbook, the Word of God is the syllabus. Is it wrong to use other men’s prepared material? No, however, like I was taught… its like eating fish, consume the meat and spit out the bones, but for a novice, many times they get the bones mixed with the meat!
The Lord has blessed this school, there are thirty-four men (students) that have stayed with it. Divided into two classes (standard one; standard two) the students will continue through standard four, at which time they will have completed one thousand hours for each academic year in the Bible Academy. (Luke 9:62) “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
I wonder how many Christians (as they are called by God’s Name) have put their hand to the plow and lef the plow in the field and went back?
The LORD has been working in the lives of these men, none of us know the (mystery) in which, the H.S. works within the lives of people. We think we do, we often run before The LORD, we do, make, initiate and often times become frustrated because things do not work out as we planned or anticipated… “Wait I say (Psalms 27:14) “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Two young men have publicly announced to the class that the LORD has called them to the ministry of preaching HIS Word. Many times I am asked by these people how can we supply men to further GOD’S work, my answer.. (Luke 10:2) “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”
In His Name,
Missionary Peter Halliman