June 1976

 

Dear Brethren:

 

This is the "best man" In Papua New Guinea bringing you up to date on the latest news. Well, anyway I was "best man" for a day on June 26th. Larry Voyles and Lois Lock exchanged vows then. The weeding was held in Lae. Teresa was train bearer for Lois. She told us later how proud she was that "to hold up Lois' dress". Larry was a teacher for two years in Zambia South Africa and decided to come to Papua New Guinea to see his aunt Rosabelle Cannon before he returned to the states. Larry and Lois are returning to Arkansas where they plan to begin to secure support before returning here around Dec. this year. Please pray for their fund raising and return trip.

 

Earlier this month one of the Lutheran circuit trucks rolled off one of our mountains killing a young boy. The boy's family line demanded 1 million dollars compensation. Settlement was for $3,000 and several pigs. This compensation was paid by the family line of the driver of the truck.

 

David Lock came through again this month on his way to Waipi to see our brethren there. When he returned through to spent the night on his way back to Lae he decided he just had to go to our movie house-so we went. This night's fight during the pictures was started and carried on by one of our local members of Parliament, one of our supposed leaders. The police finally arrived but did nothing. They were afraid they might get fired and lose their job. Dave's eyes were really opened by this experience.

 

This has been yet another exciting month for our car travels as well: three blow outs, carburetor vibrated loose again, exhaust fell off.

 

After worship one Sunday last month at Bima Piau we bandaged a man's finger which had become badly infected due to a knife wound. Well-early this month Ube pulled off the bandage to be rewrapped and I saw my first case of gangrene in Papua New Guinea. Wow ! We rushed him to the "haus sik" in Kundiawa for treatment. He was fortunate- they shot the finger full of antibodies and they were able to save it. He had wanted to wait another week and let It heal itself, ha!. If he had waited he would be dead today.

 

A single girl from Australia, Ann Wellings, was visiting with us this month. She plans to return to PNG after she can find her support.

 

At the time of the writing of this report we are only three days away from our campaign. Look out 3rd gear we are going Into overdrive. We are going to be using 38 school boys and 14 white-skins to preach and teach for 2 weeks. The first week we will all be together at Musal then Bima Piau for total coverage. The second The second week will we split Into five groups to ground and teach. Please pray for us! Pray that God's Word will be received with open hearts.

 

This month's averages were: Dumun 26 (attendance),$3.70 (collection); Bima Piau-28, $3.13; Masul-5, 10¢.

 

Brethren we have a need for which we wish your prayers: after much study we have found a solution to our high car repair bills due to our weekly drives on the Bima Piau trek (5 miles, 40 minutes). Horses are reasonably priced here and we can obtain two mounts with saddles for under $500. but we don't have the funds. These horses would be stabled at Dumun on the road and whenever we wanted to go into Bima Piau we would drive the car to Dumun, mount up and go to Bima Piau. Please pray for this. If you feel you would like to invest in this need please mark your funds "horses" and send them to us here at Box 69, Kundiawa, Papua New Guinea or Box 231 Joplin Mo.

 

We also only found out recently that we have lost $150 of our monthly support. Brethren we are being faced with continuing high prices and the loss of money when transferred to New Guinea currency in 20% thus we need your continued support and if possible your increased support if we are to remain here and preach. Please pray with us that the Lord will raise up the additional support we need to carry on the work of preaching the Gospel here.

 

Next month we shall be telling you of our campaign so don't miss the next exciting episode in this our continuing series.

 

In the Master's service

 

The Tobey Huffs
Box 69
Kundiawa
Papua New Guinea