Volume 5; No.3
MARCH 1982
Dear Brethren;
Greetings in the name of the Lord
BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN
As reported in last month's newsletter we went to Wewak for a break and returned
to Goroka in early February. The break was quickly forgotten. Upon our return
I resumed teaching out at the Bible school. My class was Biblical Culture. The
students had been brought in the previous weekend and Wamel was using my class
period to teach his class on Acts. We arrived back on Thursday the Wallaces
had left for Port Moresby on Tuesday. With the departure of John the printing
work is now fully in my lap. So, with teaching in the school I am also trying
to get a back load of printing out that had piled up in recent weeks. (I did
see the top of the counter the other day.)
CURRENT
GOROKA WORKERS
GOLDSMITHS; SCOTTS; HUFFS; MCMILLANS
PRINTING MOVING
When the Wallaces left the building they were using as their house became vacant
and the printing committee decided that we should shift the printroom into this
building. It was reasoned that the work would continue to grow and at present
we are operating in cramped space. SOOOOOOOO we moved everything ! At present
everything is still in a turmoil but we should have everything sorted out by
the 5th Saturday in Junvember. We really do have more space. The new building
allows us to have everything under one roof. Before everything was here yonder
and everywhere else.
KIDS BEGIN NEW SCHOOL TERM
When we arrived back from Wewak the kids had already missed a couple of days
of the new school session, so we dropped them off at the school on our way back
from the airport. Terasa began the 6th grade this year and Jason is in 3rd grade.
This will be Terasa's last year of schooling here with face to face teaching.
We do have grade 7-9 but it is done by correspondence under teacher supervision.
They do the courses from Sydney. At present 1st-6th grade costs us $1500 per
year per student; the 7-9th grade costs $2600. per student per year. Believe
it or not they even provide pencils at this price. I am a member of both the
Primary and High School, school boards.
TEACHING IN THE HIGH SCHOOL
The reason I was ask to be a member of the High School board is because I initiated
the motion to begin the grades several years ago. Also I am a teacher for the
High School as well. After school began I received a call from the teacher and
was asked if it were possible for me to teach and supervise the High Schoolers
with their woodworking class (by correspondence). Last year they did the course
up at a government school but this year nobody wanted to help them out, so I
said as long as it wasn't too time consuming I'd help out. I have class every
Wednesday afternoon from 1:00-2.:30. I have three girls and five boys. You wouldn't
believe the things they call for us to make. (Where are you Fred Austin?) In
reality the exposure with the students has opened up several doors that are
advantageous in our labors here. Later this year I am to hold a seminar with
the students during a morning to present the Evidences that God Exists.
BIBLE SCHOOL SESSION HELD
As mentioned in passing earlier we held another term of our Bible Training School
during the month of February. We finished with 23 students. This term is our
first year studies course. After a student has finished all the courses in the
first year he can be recommended by the staff to attend the second year studies
course. These courses are to commence during March. The school will only be
for two weeks and geared to more mature subjects for the men who have shown
potential in the First Year Course and who have been back in the villages working
with the congregations.
GOROKA CHURCH IN RECESSION
During the past few months the men of the Goroka congregation have reviewed
the past year and we are now currently trying to turn our recession in to progression.
During March last year we had baptized our 35th babe into Christ. As of Dec
we had baptized only 35. Up to date we have had 3 baptisms thus far this year.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED ?
The populace of Papua New Guinea as a whole are a very transient group. The
urban centers team with thousands of people who are between jobs, without jobs
or just there. Even those with jobs can be transferred at any given time. The
majority of our new converts have been those who are just there. During 1981
the Goroka congregation also lost several members due to job transfers. Sailas
Kozo who at one time was the full time preacher here, is now in Mt Hagen helping
Mel Bowman build missionary housing. Gerad Luru, a teacher at the High School
transferred to Okapa (40 miles away) and has since gone back to the world. His
wife is attending the Teacher's College here in Goroka but has gone back to
the 7th Day Adventist church. Jab Mesa is presently doing additional schooling
in Port Moresby for 8 weeks. (l am driving his bus routes.) Rex Kaupa, who has
a license to drive says that his wife won't let him come (she is a Christian
also). In addition to these reasons we have at present a gang problem.
The High School across the street has closed indefinitely because of terrorism
by gangs who come into the dorms at night and steal and threaten the students
with knives and guns. This terrorism is a constant menace after dark every night
and Thursday night worship has declined because people are afraid to come out
after dark.
LIKE THIEVES IN THE DAY
Out at our Bible School the buildings have been broken into three times in the
last month. They even broke into the food room after everyone had come to worship
one Sunday morning. We reported to the police but they said they were afraid
to go out into that area.
Statistics for February were: Sunday AM: 85 (35 Christians) Thursday PM: 190
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FINANCIALLY AND PRAYERFULLY
the Huffs