February 1977
Dear Brethren:
We celebrated our second birthday of the work this last
month. It doesn't seem possible that only two years ago we began
our New Guinea labors. So much done yet so much yet to do.
The congregation at Dumun is having their troubles. The
head man of the place Kilal (also a Christian) is presently In
jail awaiting arraignment on attempted murder charges. One Saturday
afternoon after having an argument with his brother here in town
he took a knife to him. His brother was left for dead. This all
happened less than 100 feet from our house. We were out and about
at the time but our house boy saw it and helped get him to the
haus sik (hospital). They sewed him up (head wound) and he regained
consciousness three days later. The police caught Kilal down the
road and now hold him. Another of the Christians is in jail for
90 days for stealing from a truck which was driving on the highway.
One Sunday Miopa confessed this sin and the next Sunday they came
and picked him up on a tip. Also we had to disfellowship another
of Kilal's boys because of his ungodly life of drinking and gambling.
Early this month Ruth Niland's parents visited with us.
They are from Canada. While they were here we witnessed tribal
fighting less than a mile from our house on a ridge. Several houses
were fired as a pay back. One tribe had stolen $9000 from the
other and they were to war to settle the difference. Police spent
the rest of the morning restoring "peace".
Feb. 24-26 Chimbu received provincial government (comparable
to achieving statehood). Thousands of natives gathered for three
days of celebrations, Kundiawa being the headquarters received
the majority of the celebrations. Fantastic! We even had the prime
minister come and give a speech.
One of our Christian school boys from Bima Piau was in
the hospital for a week with "Pig-bel"intestinal disorder
caused by eating uncooked pork.
We received word this month that our flats were sold
. We were given 30 days to vacate half of the flats but we are
trying to stay in the other until May. With this development we
will be returning to the States In June for furlough. We will
be visiting with congregations about the work and be trying to
secure additional support to return In 7 months.
At present we lack about $2500. for our return air fares.
Would you who receive this newsletter please consider helping
with this need. Please forward your funds to:
New Guinea Fund
c/o Church of Christ
Box 231
Joplin Mo. 64801
These funds need to be to me by the first of May. Thank
You!.
Notes from Kathy!
Busy, busy! Packing, moving, mending clothes and making
new ones. This Is what is going on in our household from now until
the 7th of May.
We've asked the landlord If we can stay in one of his
flats until May so the children can finish a complete semester
of school. They are on a tri-semester year here,
Jason is improving daily with his speech and expressing
himself. Help! Really he's becoming quite a little guy. He's really
shy until he's made a friend of you but after that look out. He'll
be 4 years old May 10th. He was only 11/2 when we left the states.
I'm sure you'll notice a big difference from the baby to a little
boy.
Terasa, is of course, another character. You may remember
that she'd never met a stranger. This is still true. She's won
the hearts of the people here where ever she's been. She loves
to try anything that they do, such as: playing wheelly weelly,
learning to shoot a bow and arrow (especially made for her), make
a bilum (string bag) or making necklaces.
In school she's learning poetry, math, spelling, history
(Australian), knitting and sports. You may have difficulty understanding
her because she now speaks with an Australian accent.
Must close and prepare tea, oh, I mean supper.
Yours in Christ
Tobey, Kathy, Terasa and Jason Huff
Box 69
Kundiawa
Papua Now Guinea