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: 25th January 2024
SGBM – Mission Report Part Six
Eric has bought (in the past) a small motorbike with the money he received from me several years ago. He has been diligent and responsible. The motorbike is wearing out and needs to be replaced. A new one (that size or a bit bigger would cost about $700.00 USD.
Edwin has not bought any motorbike, not sure why, haven’t learned yet but will find out why. A small vehicle such as a small pickup 4X2) would be very helpful in the work here so that Eric who has a driver’s license, could use to collect pastors for the school (whilst in session), bring his own family to church, pick up work to help support the mission work. This is being discussed and considered as I am here.
I do not feel led or at liberty to return as a permanent resident to further the Malawi/ Mozambique work, after twenty years of establishing, there are men here who can and should carry on. I take the position in N.T. mission work, that no such thing as an indefinite missionary in the same field, (same location) same people, why? No indication in N.T. to support this. Even if a man labours in a field (same field) for forty years, there should be (new areas) new pastors, new preaching points etc… I think you get my point.
Where are the supporting scriptures that GOD’S people and churches are to support a ‘Foreign Pastor’?
Another (fact) the Africans (Malawians) will NOT walk, hike like the PNG people, no matter how hard you preach, or lead. The three ways of travel, bicycle, motorbike, or vehicle. For many years I bought bicycles to assist pastors to help their own lives, families, and to cut (mission costs) in transportation when they would travel to the Bible school, mission station, conferences etc. The practice of upkeep or replacing themselves, has been minimal, thus (customs & habits) must be changed by the LORD, not men.
Again, I want you the reader to know first-hand the difficulty of life here in Malawi/Mozambique Africa.
The health issues are subjected to (all) natural environments and weather, it is life to walk, work and live in the heat, no aircon, no fans, no hiding place from the heat. Their homes made of (man-made) brick kiln burned, mud mortar. I have tried to sleep in their village homes during the hot dry season and its near impossible with the heat. Many will place their mats on the outside near the house to get some fresh air. The working of the gardens is with hand tools (not horses, or mules) as our parents did or grandparents. No machinery, but manpower, all must participate, only small children and older people will not be allowed to work in this heat.
Africa is renowned for its venomous snakes, many people are bitten annually from many, some die and some live to tell the story, its real! Scorpions, many poisonous insects, the list goes on. Primary eye issues, the strength of the sun (UV) ratings are high. No cold water for drinking except what is bought from shops (I speak about village people and their lives).
The bathing in the hot season, one gets dressed again only to feel hot and wet from sweat again. Most villagers do not have comfortable chairs to sit and rest from the day’s work.
Many village Malawians do not even have a mosquito net, therefore their children, families suffer from malaria frequently. After the sun sets, there is nothing to stop the mosquitos from biting one, where shall you go? In what room shall you sit, or what house is mosquito proof?
Many cannot afford to buy bleach, disinfectants, sprays, cleaners, do not have home medical packs, even the simple things as pain killers, they just deal with life in its raw state.
Would you agree to live like that?
They don’t have entertainment in their houses; therefore, the evenings are restricted to verbal socialization, (which is biblical) nothing wrong with having T.V. or entertainment (IF) its controlled and modified!! Is yours?
To Be Continued…. ending of Part Six
By His Grace,
Missionary Peter Halliman