In Mt Hagen there are about fifty eight different churches in the area of a population of 30,000 people (some say 40,000 including all the settlements). For some reason I have never done a post on my church in Mt Hagen, normally it’s others I visit. My home church in Hagen is Mt Hagen United Church. The PNG United denomination merged together around 1968 from three different groups. The London Mission Society, Presbyterian and Methodist mission.

1. Mt Hagen United Church

When arriving in PNG, one of many challenges was to find a church to be a member of and serve. Since coming to know Christ I had been part of one church family. That being a Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, I knew it would be hard to find another church. But I also knew that I wouldn’t be going to one for my own spiritual benefit. As there are no C&MA churches in PNG, I thought of starting my own (just joking). I visited a few churches around the area over roughly two months and during that time God lead me to Mt Hagen United. Interesting enough it was the first church I visited in PNG during my short term trip in 2005.

2. The congregation

The church is located close to the main market. It is a little different to most village churches, as we have a permanent building, we have electricity, we have a PA system and electrical instruments. We even have seating with a backrest (many churches sit on the floor or have no backrest). It is roughly a ten minute walk from my compound. The service is scheduled to start at 9 am, due to PNG time I arrive at 930 am when the service roughly starts. There aren’t too many in the congregation by then, but over the next hour or so people will turn up. The service is an English service, but is normally a mix of Tok Pisin and English. Most of the worship is in Tok Pisin (there is no overhead or projector), the rest of the service depends who is leading that part of the service. One thing I love is that there are fellowship groups based on provinces people are from around PNG. We have many people from all round the country that make up our congregation. Part of the service is an opportunity for the fellowship group’s to do an item, normally a song in their local language (tok ples) and from their culture.

3. The worship team

The service will normally go on average between three to three and a half hours, sometimes longer. After the service some hang around, but majority leave after the service. As in PNG having fellowship together is considered during the service, not really after the service. There are no refreshments or meals, unless on special occasions. For me it is hard sometimes to interact after the service, as the conversations don’t last very long or others aren’t really approachable to talk to besides a greeting. I am considered a member of the church and greeted warmly, but find myself at times not fitting socially. Whether that’s because people see me higher as them being a missionary, although we are all equal or something else. But in saying that despite different cultural challenges I have had to face, I know that is where God wants me to be and reconfirmed that on my last Sunday there, which was encouraging. It is my PNG church family, alongside my MAF PNG family. I am still finding my place where to serve in the church.

4. The men  normally sit on the left hand side. I try to sit up the back of the church or to the side to stop   blocking someone’s view or being a distraction for the little kids

One of many challenges has been the expectation on me to preach (there are a few stories). I have been attending the Youth Group on Friday nights when I can, but not since last year now. Whether the MAF ministry team is on, or I am studying, or working back it can make it difficult to make Youth Group. The dynamics is different to that of back in Sydney, but still much the same. It has been good to be part of that group and to get to know some of the leaders. But it is always a challenge as after the meeting there isn’t much opportunity to get to talk to people. But the hardest time having to share at Youth, was the Friday I learnt of Hadleigh’s accident being a fatal one. I didn’t want to do anything that night, but I ended up going to youth. I was pretty much forced to get up and share something. I really had nothing prepared and didn’t want to share anything to be honest. But God put two verses on my heart and in relation to what had happened to Hadleigh preached a little. It was hard to keep going back after that, but as a missionary your there to serve the people and that’s expected too, especially preaching. And you need to be prepared, something I need to improve on.

5. Central Province fellowship group’s item

There are many stories, functionality of the church and events to share. I will try and put more updates as it happens. It has been great to see God move and work in this church since attending in 2008. I am missing PNG quite a lot. I don’t think I have been homesick since being a little kid. I might go awol to  get back to PNG. So I am really looking forward to returning to PNG, especially Mt Hagen in God’s timing.

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Here is the other video I have been using for presentations at various churches. It is an epic three minute trailer with quotes from famous Christian missionaries, teachers and individuals. This was made by one of our Pilot/Engineers Brad Ballin.

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NEWS 01/2010

Written By Aunty Rosa

Isaiah 40:31 “Those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

1. Praying before a meal

January is a month of refection for BFO and for what our future holds! All in All, God is our only Hope, for in Him; we move, live and have our being.

Thankyou each and every one of you for your prayers, supports, letters and phone calls. They encourage us to move on to fulfill God’s plan for saving Mankind in spite the hardships and challenges!

Praise Points:

1. The children’s behaviour and attitude in church and community are changing from worse to good. The girls are dressing modestly with clothes being made at BFO Care Centre.

2. Some MAF Missionaries are very supportive by constantly providing food and finances to the Ministry which helps us with food and clothes including shoes.

3. Thank you David Schrier for the Digital Camera for the Orphanage.

4. Our prayers have been answered for a laptop, school materials and used clothes from The Oakden Baptist Ministry in Australia, which is expected in early April, 2010.

5. Lady Tiffany Nonggorr, an Australian married to one of leading PNG’s Law Firms “Nonggorr William Lawyers Law firm” offered free medication under the “Susu Mama” project which she manages in the country.

6. Leanne Calder, Jo Thomson (Our MAF missionary wives) and I are arranging a fund raising committee with the business community for BFO, latter to be followed with Board formation.

7. Family: Our second daughter, Nellie Love Kepo has graduated from Legal Institute and was admitted to The Bar of National and Supreme Courts of PNG to perform duties as recognised Lawyer.

Our third child, son Young will continue with his course year in Drafting and Architect building course with Lae Technical School.

Our fourth child and daughter Brenda, has successfully completed Grade 10 and was accepted to continue to Grade 11 in Secondary High School.

God has answered our prayers for my husband’s critical financial needs by a direct contract being awarded for road construction.

Few Pray Points:

• Children’s faith to be strengthened where ever they may be in each situation

• Land to accommodate the children.

• Timely Funds to cater for the needs of each child’s need in school fees, food, and clothing.

• School for the BFO children to start soon when we have the materials.

• Formation of a Board, Structure and Constitution with Fund Raising Committee.

• Repentance for the whole community to surrender their lives to God through this caring ministry

• My own children’s education and safety way from home to colleges and high school.

• Pray for my husband as he tries to sort out things with the new job opportunity.

• Pray that the 20ft container with contents of Children’s Items sent by The Oakden Baptist Ministry in Australia will arrive safely.

We are trusting a Great God to take us through to 2010 with many new adventures in Spiritual Realms with this Ministry

Blessings,

Aunty Rosa & Uncle Jiwa.

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Here is a short on board video of a MAF Twin Otter landing at Teptep I’ve put together and have been using for raising support. Teptep is in the Madang province and the strip has roughly around 10% gradient. Hopefully another video of aircraft landings in PNG coming soon.

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It is quite awesome to see MAF use aviation in remote areas for isolated people to be physically and spiritually  transformed in Christ. With this comes up the great need of good training as the church grows and faces opposition. After my short time in PNG, I have really seen the need and believe so much in the importance of training up the church leaders in PNG. That is the second thing that is awesome about MAF, for some years now, we are not just using aviation but technology too. Like IT, communications networks and the like, an example the V-Sat communication system setup for the Haiti relief effort which is on going. So I would like to introduce to you MAF Learning Technologies, especially as MAF AUS looks at developing more in this much needed ministry  in the countries we serve throughout the Asia Pacific region.

MAF-Learning Technologies (MAF-LT) basically looks to support the education of isolated church leaders and pastors. This could be in helping to distribute digital learning resources, helping churches/missions or training organisations deliver their pastor training via distance education, or assisting with other learning projects involving technology.

Please find a story from Campbell Smythe’s blog below. For more info check out the MAF US learning technology website.

“Out in the bush it can be difficult to scoot up to the local shop and pick up some batteries – and while solar-rechargers are available to rejuice those rechargable batteries, how good could this product be…..

1. Landport solar speakers

Coming out around March 2010 from Landport are a set of solar powered speakers. The speakers weigh 290grams, and contains two 2w speakers – maybe not quite enough to rock the village but enough to share an audio lesson with a few others. The internal rechargable battery is lithium ion, which powers the speakers for 6-8 hours once fully charged. The speakers can also be charged by attaching via USB cable to a computer or other USB type charge – eg. car charger, power point.”

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Bible Faith (Orphanage) Outreach Ministry Dec 2009 News

By Aunty Rosa

December was an exciting month as we were approaching the ‘festival season’! There was only one major problem with the second hand clothes we had given the children. Due to the poor housing they live in (grass huts built on dirt and muddy when wet) it makes their clothes muddy and dirty. It takes more water and soap to clean them. The challenge comes when Sunday approaches. It breaks my heart as I see them, so lost in their own lifestyle! Then, I have silent tears, when will a better day come, when they should live in a good house. Where they will be clothed in new clothes and shoes in proper housing and access to water!

1. The older boys with their new shoes

We wanted to decorate the care centre with bush ferns, leaves and orhids for Christmas together with  a presentation of gifts for the children. We really wanted a mumu (traditional roasting lamb or beef in a pit oven) at our care centre. God can do what we ask for and far beyond our plans and knowledge too. Praise His name.

Praise Points

1. 2/12 I met Serah James, whom I knew as a child thirty years ago while attending a mission high school. The Spirit of the Lord prompted me to mention to her about sewing clothes for the orphans. Without hesitation, she responded with excitement that she would help out with the task. She brought another friend whom she works alongside with. Serah is also a community worker, she helps teach village women to sew and agricultural work. She has the same interest to work with BFO to teach life skills which is one of our objectives. Both ladies have commenced sewing women and girls skirts, blouses and dresses. Now they are starting on boy’s shirts which are a bit of a struggle as they are not easy for them to make.

At about the same hour, four gentlemen Jonathan Brown (Ex-MAF Engineer) Sam, Nathan and Les from Australia become friends with me. As we chatted, they became interested in visiting the orphanage on the weekend.

2. 5/12 Jonathan, Les, Nathan and Sam came to the care centre. These men were seen like “ministering angels” to unprivileged, rejected, abandoned and orphaned children. The children were so excited, as they have never seen white men sing with loud voices or with a lot of excitement before. They laughed, played and had fun together. There was joy in the air and we were all blessed in really seeing God’s love demonstrated.

2. Aunty Rosa sharing the Christmas story

3. 12/12 During the children’s feeding time. I knelt and prayed for the food and I told them that I only had 16 kina in my personal account. We had planned a few weeks earlier that on the 19th of December would be our presentation and party day to celebrate the birth of Jesus! The children had never seen of it’s celebration before in their lives. Just being able to listen to the announcement, you could see their faces lighten up with excitement! Who knows what God has in place for those who trust in Him fully!

Before the day arrived, the Lord just miraculously again provided money. David Scheier (a visiting photographer from the USA in Aug) had already raised $500US when he returned. In the same week, Jonathan Brown with the three friends contacted their home church in Australia while still in Mt Hagen. In very little time, their church raise K1,800. Another K500 was received from a MAF family. Then some other donations were received from other MAF staff and also  bags of presents were donated.

We purchased food in cartons. Tins of fish, bags of rice, noodles, a first aid kit, shoes, sandals. For all the boys we brought shirts, long pants, socks and under wear. Also for the girls socks and underwear. All of this was purchased. We brought loads of firewood transported by hired vehicle for cooking on an open fire as usual.

4. 19/12 Praise God! The ‘big day’ was here. All the purchased items were displayed. The Orphanage was colourfully decorated with balloons, ribbons, bush fens and leaves. When all the children were seated, we extended our invitation to the HIV victims’ children and mothers, deserted wife’s and widows. We displayed a little ’stable’ made of grass hut with a baby Jesus inside and had three wise men/shepherds with gifts. The Christmas story was told and the children received the meaning of Christmas! Aloft of joy and happiness expressed as Jonathan Brown jumped to the scene dressed up as Father Christmas. He started giving out the presents as labeled. My husband and I assisted with Jo and Talitha ‘Bubba’ Thomson as well!

3. Giving out donated presents to each child

We also presented gifts to the six helpers of the ministry. Mostly mothers and two sewing ladies and one young girl (Faith). We purchased three mobile phones and PNG made traditional meri blouses for the elderly women who look after the orphans and underprivileged children.

Also at the celebration were the familiar Journalists from the Post Courier (David Muri) and National (Yvonne Haip) newspapers. All the news, stories and features appeared on Dec 22 and 23, and again in the Post Courier weekend edition.

We were blessed to have MAF missionaries and BFO supporters there. Matt Preece (Engineer) volunteered to take photo’s, Geoff and Leanne Calder (Operations manager) and Matt and Jo Thomson (Engineer) and their daughter Talitha.

5. 25/12 From the 25th-27th (Fri-Sun) till now girls wear their newly made dresses, skirts and blouses with sandels, while boys wear long pants with collar shirts together with shoes.

6. 31/12 Had a gathering to farewell the year 2009 and welcome the New Year 2010! Each one of the  children present re-committed their lives to Christ and would like to live their lives the best they can for Jesus.

Thankyou everyone being partners in Spirit by your support in prayer, finance support, gifts or kind this last year. May God continue to bless you to bless others for His purposes to be fulfilled.

Blessing

Aunty Rosa & Uncle Jiwa Kepo

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I arrived back in Sydney over a week ago now. Leaving Mt Hagen Friday morning and arriving into Sydney Saturday afternoon. I had some sort of virus infection a few days before leaving, so flying was quite painful at times. I was sort of out of it for the first two days being back, especially with headaches. On leaving Mt Hagen I was looking forward to returning to PNG.

1. Arriving in SYD

On arriving back into Australia and mainly Sydney I had expected to have some culture shock or reverse culture shock. But there really hasn’t been any at all. The main difficulty has been coming back to so much change. Coming back I knew I had changed with my time in PNG and I was a different person. But seeing so many changes, people have changed, new babies and many others things have happened. But especially as more change was unveiled during the first week, has been hard to process and even discouraging at times. I guess the best way to describe it at times, has been like being winded.

2. Hanging out with Zach for the first time

On a more positive note, I feel like I haven’t done too much since being back, but I have kept busy.  On arrival that Saturday night had a BBQ at my pastor’s house with family and close friends. My first visit back to my home church at Western Sydney was a baby dedication, where Bay and Beck dedicated big Zach to the Lord.  Sunday night celebrated my Mum’s birthday which was earlier in the week. Have been doing shopping or errands during the day and catching up with people in the evening. I was able to attend JJ and Soona’s wedding on Saturday, which was a really Christ centred wedding and was a really encouraging time. I can’t believe I could of missed it.

3. JJ & Soona’s wedding (my highlight so far)

I am really grateful for the way God has brought about my furlough and that I can be back in Australia for a bit. The way so many things have fallen into place to be here and events to be able to attend, plus more arising since I have been here, like my home church’s family camp next month. But I struggle to have a holiday being in Sydney unless others are on holiday too, so I will have to try and get away somewhere. I don’t think I can call Sydney home anymore.

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New newsletter is here covering November 2009 to February 2010. You can get it here.

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The Saturday before Christmas BFO had it’s Christmas celebration. The first time for the ministry and for most of these children to celebrate Christmas, to hear the Christmas story and to receive a present. It was a very special day and the kid’s smiles were priceless.

The morning started off with feeding the children after a prayer and a song. Followed by Aunty Rosa sharing the Christmas story with the children. Then Jono who was visiting made an appearance dressed up as Father Christmas (which I was first hesitant about, but is not portrayed as it is in Aus so it was good) to help hand out gifts for all the children, which had been donated. The kids went crazy at this and at times it was hard to keep the kids under control. Besides presents for the children, there were shoes for some of the older boys and other goods donated to be given out.

There were several other presentations and talks following during the morning. For me it was the first time visiting the orphanage and after hearing so much from Aunty Rosa sharing, it was pretty heart breaking  and hard hitting seeing these children. It was an encouragement though to see how God has continued to move in this ministry so far, in their lives and will continue to do so.

Bibe Faith Orphanage Christmas

Photo's from BFO's Christmas Saturday on the 19/12/09.

75 Photos

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Bible Faith (Orphanage) Outreach Ministry Nov 2009 News

By Aunty Rosa

“Praise God from whom all Blessings flow”

“As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child. So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whatever both alike will be good.” (Ecc 11:5-6 NKJV)

1. Elen a deserted child with her wantok, a baby girl

November was another special month for BFO with significant events! Firstly, the Ministry was introduced to the outside world through a young Australian man, Matthew Preece, who works as an engineer with MAF PNG Engineering Dept. He volunteered to assist BFO by publishing its news on his website. Thankyou Matt.

Praise Points

1. Praise God for new friends praying for us all around the world by learning about us from Matt’s website. The children can now define good from evil, respect rather than being rude and sharing together with obedience rather than being selfish and disobedient. They are so eager to learn and go to school, but we will have to wait for God’s perfect timing in providing land for building houses for them to sleep in and to build a learning centre.

2. 9/11 God answered our eight month prayer for sewing machines due to the 25 rolls of fabric material donated by one MAF family. A young Christian mother who was a former youth member of my local church donated one sewing machine and the other was donated by my family members.

2. Uncle Jiwa, Aunty Rosa, Sarah & Eli with new sewing machines and clothing already produced

3. 21-28/11 Praise God for community support! My church woman’s group invited the widows, deserted and sexually abused women, HIV victims and mothers along to their “End of the year party”. Three of the HIV ladies were convicted of their sad and worthless lifestyles and decided to surrender their lives with their children to God. It was an emotional time as they testified of the true love of Christ demonstrated by BFO. More are likely to join the outreach.

4. 30/11 It was interesting to see the community coming together to hear educational talks of how to respect each other, from a child to an adult. The gathering was due to an incident a few days earlier when a drunkard visitor threw an empty bottle onto a bystander. Consequently his front three teeth fell out. This occurrence was a good illustration of a poor attitude to use as a demonstration. Because I knew the injured, the message was spread to the whole community of forgiveness and no retaliation. We helped the victim with medical expenses. Those who know PNG know of the “pay back” system and huge compensation demands. For them witnessing this event was weird, but as Christians we know this is God moving in situations to fulfill His purpose to save mankind. As a result, the victim gave his whole life to Jesus after a month of the incident. Now he is a Christian. The neighbours decided to come to church too, after realising the forgiveness, but no commitment yet made to follow Jesus. Four more new children were added to our group, now our number has increased to 160.

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