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: 12th Feb 2024
Dear Pastor, Church, and All Supporters:
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set-in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
I had planned many times to come back to Malawi in order that I might see (first hand) the work and attend to any spiritual problems (if need be) not always the case, but with people that is almost a given.
I have already written eight reports of the life, problems, issues, needs, or (NOT), I give way to the H.S. yet make a real human appeal to you, the reader and supporter with the facts, not supposed (needs)! GOD’S people are very slow in learning the difference between ‘needs and wants’, and it becomes harder when you mix culture, customs, and another people whom you don’t live amongst.
I take the position, that every mission field that is supported by our kind of Baptist churches, should send more than one (in the mouth of two or three witnesses, let everything be established)! Not only witnesses, but pictures, video’s slide presentations, and such like should be presented to confirm, enhance, and encourage the supporters.
Why is it, that some (on both sides) the churches, and the missionaries have simply stayed, fallen into spiritual apathy over the long years of silence? Is it that no one wants to spend the money and time to really see what GOD is doing in these fields, and or is it, out of sight, out of mind?
If I had not returned to Malawi, these problems would never have been dissolved, not saying I am the answer to all, NO, GOD is, but He uses people.
Two men here (Edwin and Eric) the two Bible School teachers, Eric is also a Pastor, and Edwin gives testimony that GOD called him to preach and do Evangelism, thus the need for ordination services.
I want to give account on how this has progressed so far, yesterday my time (Malawi) was Sunday, it is now Monday late morning, the whole weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday was booked full for special services with the church at Luchenza. The pastor is,
Edwin’s father Bro. Dinala Chipala, I was with the church the second Sunday of Jan after arriving in Malawi. During that time, we discussed the ordination, they (the church) wanted, and voted for this service to be.
Fast forward, I gave time for Edwin and Eric to study and prepare, Friday I hired a vehicle to take myself and some others at the mission property to go to Luchenza. In these locally owned vehicles, it takes an hour to get there from here, not that it is that far in mileage, rather road conditions but also the vehicles are not maintained well. The other day the vehicle I was in ran out of fuel after a long day in church services, another day the rear wheel came off due to wheel-nuts were not tightened, the driver had no jack, so we lifted the rear of vehicle and retightened, and so on.
Friday the 9th of Feb. the special services started, I gave the timeline to the church and pastor, this is not new nor am I a stranger to this work, and or this church. I was there by 09:00 to start by 09:30, when it came time to start there were a handful of people. I started the program and preached until 11:00. We took a break, and then I preached another message finishing at 1:30 pm. Had a meal and returned home, not many people came just a handful, a shameful thing for a church voting to have special services and an ordination.
10th Feb 2024 Sat. I was up at 04:00 water was being heated for bathing, fires burning, coffee going and my breakfast of oatmeal. We set off at 07:30 walked to the main road, just over a mile from the property. 09:00 arrived at Luchenza LMBC, started services at 09:30 am. I preached for an hour, then we set the order for the examination. Over the years I have learned what to compile in terms of questions for the pastors, (to be ordained) or (deacon), it is intensive and definitive. Like a Bro. Pastor said to me, make sure they are examined, because most Baptist would ordain a jackrabbit if they could catch it.
I can assure you Bro. Hobbs, Edwin was put under the spotlight, after seven hours of examination, he did well, any seasoned pastor in the US (Baptist) of the old school would have been thankful for his answers, even under fire he did well. This is a result of years of schooling, application, studies, and preparation.
1 Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. IF Scripture says the (deacon) must ‘prove’ himself, what more for the Preacher?
Being such a late hour, I closed the day, and Sunday, I preached the charge to the church and Edwin, he was also given a chance to demonstrate the calling of the gift and he preached also. The day ended yesterday with these events, we had a meal with the pastor and his wife, then we travelled home.
For the vehicle hire, (three days) it cost me sixty USD. In the US this would be a joke, but here it can be expensive to ordinary Malawians (grassroots) level, I mention this, because Edwin and Eric are being supported and they may find vehicles to mover around in order to preach and do the mission work.
I have prayed for rain and the LORD answered yesterday, heavy rains into the night, I cannot answer for other parts of Malawi, but I can answer for here, the LORD smiled upon the mission property and the work of our hands.
Thank you for your prayers, and sacrificial support, I could not do what I do without your support and or prayers.
In His Name,
Missionary Peter Halliman.
End of Part Nine in series – Malawi mission trip Jan-Feb 2024