VOLUME 7; NO 10 SEPTEMBER 1984
Dear Brethren;
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus.
VISITORS FROM AFAR
It really did happen, some people from Joplin Mo. finally came over to see us.
Do you suppose they will bring a 747 full next time? The weeks preceding their
visit were filled with hectic days of Kathy sewing new chair covers and everyone
cleaning the dusts balls out from around and underneath EVERYTHING.
Kathy's parents, Rusty and Bonnie Haynes with Robert Wiley arrived our abode via Sydney and Port Moresby. They received the royal treatment. They flew from the States via Sydney Australia on the BIG plane (747). When they arrived Port Moresby they cleared customs and boarded a slightly smaller plane for their trip on here to Goroka. Usually people fly with Air Niugini and their 40 passenger jets but Air Niugini did not have a connecting flight and they had to fly Talair (a third level airline headquartered here in Goroka). Not only did they get the tourist flight (15 passenger jet) they got the flyabout also. The trip they endured was thru another airstrip (not big enough to be classified an airport) in Kundiawa before terminating here in Goroka. If you get the chance ask Bonnie how it feels watching thunderheads build up just off the wing tips. Kundiawa was the town where we lived in 1976. I'm glad the Lord routed them thru there. Believe it or not, their tickets were booked from the States. I didn't have anything to do with it.
Bob experienced the LVIP (Less Very Important Person) treatment as he arrived
here in Papua New Guinea one less bag than when he left the USA. HE did finally
get it and could change clothes after a few days (just kidding Bob). The flight
they arrived here in PNG on from Sydney was also full of VIPs from all over
the Pacific who were arriving for the Official opening of our new parliament
house. So as everyone got off the plane the Army band was there and the red
carpet with our prime minister and everyone else there. I had to explain later
to Bonnie and Rusty that it was not the typical PNG welcome. (I'm sure if the
Prime Minister had known he would have personally welcomed them.)
The first few days Bob, Rusty and Bonnie had the hardest time getting their
time schedule correct. (We are 15 hours AHEAD of Joplin time.) We would be talking
along and they would nod off right in the middle of a sentence (how rude). On
one day I took Bob and Rusty up the highway into the Chimbu province where we
use to travel all the time with the village work. I wasn't going to take them
into any village but after getting up there I decided to show them. the village
of Kumogoko which was the first village where we held a village campaign in1975.
I hadn't been in there for several years but figured that the road had to be
better than it was the last time I traveled it. WRONG ! We were in the Subaru
and we did just make it in. The congregation had a new church building and several
members were there who we got to visit with. We really enjoyed our visit with
the folks and Bob and we're only too sad to see them leave so soon. We had the
annual Highlands show the weekend after they left. This was attended by over
100,000 people with dancing warriors the highlight of the show. During the whole
time they were here they never once looked under anything for dust balls (I
told Kathy they wouldn't.).
When the folks arrived. it was like Christmas: thanks to you there in Joplin who send the Hershey chocolates, the Reeses pieces, the choc/chips and the other candy.
While they were here I also got to go to the dentist. I had a tooth giving me problems which had already had three root canals done in the past three years. This time I told him to just go ahead and pull it out. Usually it takes about 1 1/2 hours to pull my teeth as the roots are wrapped around the jaw bone. He only took an hour, the only problem is that the root is still in my jaw. He couldn't get it out and told me it would probably dissolve with time (nice trick). How much was the gold crown worth Dad?
KNOTES FROM KATHY
Tobey has so graciously consented to let me write a few lines this month. Actually
he requested (strongly) that I write. (ed-the bruises should heal soon) It's
good to be able to share with you and maybe catch up my correspondence with
you all.
As you know, my parents, Rusty and Bonnie Haynes along with another elder from
Joplin, Bob Wiley were here this past month. Mom and I had such a good
visit, it just wasn't near long enough. They only got to look around the Goroka
area since they were here only a little over a week. The first couple of days
they were hard put to keep their eyes open thru the day.
We so appreciate the Lord allowing them all to come and see the work that they have had fellowship with since Feb '75. We also appreciate the wisdom both Bob and Daddy showed while here. They asked searching questions and sized up situations that we have been dealing with and struggling with. They encouraged us and lifted us up as well as listened to us. We reaped a harvest of their years of experience and wisdom in worldly situations as well as in the Lord.
They had their eyes open and their cameras full when they left with so many new experiences. Ask them about their visit!
Terasa and Jason are doing fine. But like all children they have their problems with friends and school. We of course, wish they could have more Christian friends with which to grow.
Terasa is having to make her stand about smoking and dancing. She's a natural leader so she pulls people to her. This we are thankful for. She is growing into a beautiful young lady (ed- like her mother) for the Lord. What more could a mother ask?
Jason has been playing soccer and learning to play golf with Tobey and 1. He still has a problem with school, in that if he sees no reason for the work (poems, creative writing, etc) then why do it, right? Well, we are working with his teachers on this.
On Thursday nights the adult classes have been studying the Fruit of the Spirit as found in Gal. 5:22,23. In my ladies class we average 25-30 ladies. This is a follow-up of a study on the Holy Spirit. I enjoy teaching the women so much.
On August 31, the married and single ladies all met at Catherine Scott's house
for a retreat. We all (30) spent the night and until noon the next day there.
Our study was the book of Philippines. I got a lot out of it myself and from
just listening to the women speak it made me realize just how much some of them
have grown in the Lord.
I hope and pray that you have enjoyed reading this short letter and that you'll
keep us in your prayers as we keep you in our prayers.
THAT'N'THIS
Last month I forgot to mention that we have a new missionary family here in
Goroka. The Fred Burrows family: daddy, mommy and two children the age of our
children. They come via the Mead's Chapel congregation who were the purchasers
of the property which the church now occupies here in Goroka. He will be taking
over Andy Scott's areas of work while Andy is on leave. Welcome, Burrow right
in !
The print room was somewhat quiet last month with just under 10,000 pieces being printed. I, of course, had the presses running when the folks were here as I wanted them to see me slaving away here in paradise.
Please continue to remember our needs in your prayers as we are in desperate need of funds for the print work (about $3,000 now and $500 per month)
I will be sending 1985 calendars out this month and if you wish to receive one please drop me a note (on the back of a check would be alright) and I will see that you get yours.
Thank you for bearing with us and holding our hands up in the work of the Lord!
In Christ,
the Huffs