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: 9th March 2025
Dear Pastor, Church, & All Supporters:
1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Mission Report No. 8; Continued from 17th Feb 2025
The last setting in the reports was the church wedding of Pastor Poko, I wrote about this and added some pictures for clarity…. I will pick up from there,
13th December 2024 (Friday) This was the morning in which I officially started the preaching of the bible conference. There were most of the bible academy students who had also made this mission patrol, and I wanted to give each student (the ones who were there) an opportunity to speak on the things they had learned. I did not try to dictate on the material, or message. (I understand assigned subjects) though I am not in favour of such at bible conferences, I believe the H.S. has been left out, (man’s program has taken over) and though many men can preach good messages on such topic and dictation, I don’t find this biblical, some may disagree, but I am not asking you your opinion.
I woke early, before daylight assigning tasks to be completed, as my bath water was being heated, (I do like taking warm bathing) when I can, not always possible, but it is nice. A bush bath is not what you may think, its water in a five-gallon bucket, a cup, you’re standing on some wooden platform, (could be a few sticks, branches, or axe cut timbers) or rocks. The bathing houses are simple structures of bush material, sometimes open at the top, sometimes thatched but simple. You don’t walk into such structures like you Americans do with all your (things) hanging on the bathtub/ shower walls, no mirrors, what you packed is what you have. I advise people who come to see me, if you can’t pack it in your backpack, and if you cannot pack your own backpack, you probably don’t need it…. this will take care of most (wants) and the (needs) take over.
I know why more people don’t come to visit the mission work in PNG, they can’t handle the life there.
I carry a water-kettle-pot as it is called; to heat the water for the coffee, I use a simple method of the “Plunger type” or French-Press coffee making process its simple, effective and I can get my coffee as bold as I like.
The early morning hours gave me time to study, muse and go over me outlines for the day, though I had several students that would be preaching I would also have my turn and there were requested subjects that the preachers, & people wanted to hear from God’s Word.
One such subject was (Did the N.T. church start on the day of Pentecost?). my outline consisted of fifteen points to prove it did not.
The conference would begin by 0900 hrs and continue through 1500 with one hour for a lunch break. Since we don’t’ have any means of (indoor lighting) nor the people have proper lighting to return home in the dark hours of the night we do not conduct night services in PNG.
The students brought some good firm messages on the following doctrines, “The Total Depravity of Man”; “John’s Baptism”; “The Marks of a N.T. Church”; “Tithes, Offerings” “Stewardship”.
For the next three days, the preaching was firm, some singing and a few breaks in-between. The mission work that I do, whether in PNG or Malawi/Mozambique is constructed to fit the lives of the people. Tribal people in under-developed conditions (whatever that means anymore) have no proper lighting for evening services, the travelling back to their homes in the night (PNG) is not a problem for them, but too much foolishness goes on in the night hours without proper lighting. I like to look at people when I preach, and I want the audience to be attentive (this is challenging even in developed America) with all the interruptions, electronic devices etc….
People came from all around to hear the preaching, one group in particular came (five men and two women). They were present from day one, I had noticed that they seemed to be very interested, and it was during the Saturday afternoon break they approached me for discussions. After some two hours (nothing is quick in PNG) I was asked if I could bring this mission work to their area. Over the years of doing mission work amongst different kinds of people, I have a habit of asking “what is it you really want? “ Furthermore, I remind them, their answer at that time, will be remembered and the next time I meet them, go to them, come to them, if in such a case other motives are pursued, I remind them (the person, or group) that I came on the promise of their asking for the preaching of the Gospel and our mission work to be established.
In PNG, it is still virgin territory, other denominations have not (yet) spoiled the people as to the Truth, though that is starting to develop. In Africa (no country that I know of) within the 54 countries have a people who have not, not heard of some sort of religious doctrine, been associated with some denomination, and been given, free packages of so-called ministry. All of you readers, supporters need to take heed to this, nowhere in Scripture does the Bible teach “the mission of the church” is to provide physical needs, build buildings, provide jobs, offer secular education, build hospitals (or even to give Bibles & song books) I have fought this most of my ministry. There are institutions that do Bible translations, there are NGO’ that go, do, offer and supply humanitarian needs, the LORD never once told the disciples (first church) to engage in social, welfare programs, this is man made laws. I don’t know anyone who was ever saved by these humanitarian supplies!
This being said, the group came from an area that was another day’s hike, and some of the group it would take another half a day to reach their homes in the jungles, (according to how they hike) not me. I informed them that their request would be considered, and I would advise them of the decision.
I will share this story also, in light of what I said in the previous paragraph, I do provide what I can to those in great need when I can and have the means to do so, meaning if one is hungry and needs to be fed, I feed them what I have, if one is without a coat, needing to be warmed I give them a second coat I have or make the provisions if possible. I do teach in the Bible Academy and some students have never had any type of academic training so (basic schooling) is needed and so on. I do provide transportation (IF) the person has a heart for the LORD’S Work. I do not take the LORD’S money and provide just free services.
There was an elder man in the village who had been suffering from an eye infection, his right eye had rescinded back into the cavity of the eye socket, with pus oozing out. I carry a medic-bag that contains enough equipment to do field surgery, wound dressings, packings to stop excessive bleedings etc… I made up a solution to wash out the pus from the eye, put a medicated patch on the eye to absorb bacteria etc… after three days of treatment, it was cleaned but the damage to the eye was more than I could help.
These people in this part of the world, deep in the jungles live life as it is given, tough, real. They deal with pain as you deal with your remote for the T.V.
This man thanked me over and over and said he felt much better, not sure how I helped except clean out the infection and pus. To him it was a BIG help!
Sunday afternoon the Bible conference ended around 1400 hrs (2 pm) as the last prayer was made, there was heavy rains that lasted for a couple hours. I only bring attention to this, as God had held back the rains during the daytime for our conference meeting, why? Because people were sitting outside under the weather, GOD does this. At night whilst under cover, the rains came and all night, every night rains were hard.
Sunday afternoon after we became settled, food was prepared and as I was eating my dinner, one of the local pastors, his name is Anago (a bible academy student) I will include his picture to put a face to a name, he came with the message that he felt convicted to work as a missionary and take the Gospel to this new group that had come a day and half hike to ask for our ministry to reach them. After some time of discussions with Pastor Anago, this was confirmed, I called the pastors together, and had Anago give his testimony of conviction. He agreed to return to his home church; announce to the church he would be resigning as pastor to work as a full time local / home missionary. GOD is still in the business of raising up men for HIS work and people.
Sunday the 15th of December ended our Bible conference at Mt. Kili Kawpu village. The afternoon soon gave way to the evening, as the last rays of sun hit the tree tops casting a golden hue to this valley, it was though GOD put HIS signature of approval for this season of time, His Word declared unto HIS people and even the lost, messages of the Gospel, judgment of sin, the remedy for that (under the blood) was made clear to the hearers. The great effort to provide a great meal for the bodies of those present, a great demonstration of selfless sacrifice, simply to host and entertain GOD’S people for a few days. This valley, Kawpu village by name, may not be known to the outside world, but GOD knows its name, the people there. Furthermore, to encourage each of you who have been a part of this great mission work, GOD used your benevolent offerings to help me reach these people in 2019 and a local N.T. type Baptist church was organised there, it is alive, holding true the N.T. doctrines which Christ HIMSELF, taught His first church long ago.
Pastor Anago / now Missionary Anago
Some of the people who attended the conference in Kawpu village (Mt. Kili) PNG
To be continued….
In His Name,
Missionary Peter A. Halliman