June-September 1997

Dear Brethren and Friends;

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

WE ARE COMING BACK TO SEE YA'LL
I have postponed sending this newsletter so as not to frighten too many of you off. We are coming back Oct 13th to the USA to see our grandbaby (and to report to you brethren who have so graciously supported us as we do the Lord's work here). We will be there only two months but we plan on seeing people in Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. When we leave the USA in December our plans are to travel through New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and Australia before landing back in Papua New Guinea mid January 1998. Our new school term for Melanesian Bible College is scheduled to start Feb 2, 1998. We will be travelling with Jab (the national principal of MBC) and Becky Mesa. Jab has worked with MBC for a number of years after his return from Biblical training in New Zealand. He was appointed principal of MBC last year and has done a super job. Becky is the College secretary. They will be coming back to report to the supporting churches of MBC and laying some plans on the table of future plans for growth and expansion. They will travel with us for the first week and then will go to Memphis. They plan on coming over to Joplin Mo on Thanksgiving to be with us, Kathy's mom and the rest of the family. After that the Mesas will probably travel to California where we will meet up with them on Dec 13th for our flight back to the South Pacific and the island tripping. (All of this, "Lord willing".)

RELIEF EFFORT
I have continued to be very busy with the relief effort. At first we thought the relief effort could be finished in July but the weather is still not being co-operative. The rains have not come sufficiently for the gardens to grow. With no tree coverage much of the moisture is sucked off by the hot sun. A major drought extends over most of the whole island now. The water seeps where the Waria people get their fresh water have all dried up and the major rivers are at trickle flow. The people have replanted 4 times now and everything has dried up. Therefore we are still having to send in food supplies. It is as urgent now as it was in April. Now they have shelter but no food. The government says they do not have the resources to meet all the needs. (They are right but they have more available than they want to expend. Our hospitals have no medicines or film for x-rays. Schools have no materials. It is cheaper to bury people then to provide basic necessities. Just so long as the politicians have funds for their pet projects and trips overseas.) It looks like at least another several months of food relief will be necessary. This means we will have to have another $15,000. So far we have expended over $70,000. From now on it will be food and freight. We have word that several congregations will be helping with special contributions but we are going to need your help and prayers too. Please ask the brethren to help toward this special need.

ON THE TEACHING FRONT
During the May - June period I taught several classes at the Bible College: Counseling (where was Terasa when I needed her), Denominational Doctrine, Parables of Jesus, Leadership Development. All the classes were in Pidgin English and for 80 minutes per day for a five week block. I taught two classes per block. I also taught a night class for the ladies on Old Testament Survey. Kathy had a break from teaching the ladies class in the mornings and took my class on “The Parables”. During the month of May the congregation at Tent City where we worship asked me to teach on Christian Marriage the first week. After my first lesson they asked me to teach the whole month. I’m not sure it was because I had done such a good job or whether they thought I needed the practice.

Melanesian Bible College Graduation, July 1997

Early in July we found out that the Annual Asian Missionary Forum was to be held in the Philippines. It worked out that it was during a break week from our teaching at Melanesian Bible College. The Theme was on Stresses and Trials missionaries go through and how God's faithfulness can sustain us. I'm sure the others attending needed it but wasn't sure I would get much from it. NOT! Thair's no tress in dis hear work! Kathy, myself and Velma Forman attended and had a very relaxing time. The forum was held at an island resort south of Manila. Because of scheduling we had to arrive a day early and overnight in Manila. This allowed us some time to shop in the new Duty Free shopping mall they have for arriving Air Travelers only. It was awesome for we who had not seen Oreos, Hershey chocolate, Doritos and the like for over 18 months. We were also able to eat at McDonald's and Donut Hut. As more and more fellow missionaries arrived we finally loaded up the bus and headed off for the resort. It was 100 miles from Manila but a 3.5 hour bus ride. I complain about our traffic here in PNG but it is nothing compared to Manila. It was good to see friends we had known in the work and to meet new workers. Like most groups you have those few who intimidate others. We had a few that week and I became the pointman to dispel intimidation. We had morning joggers. Others of us became known as the 'cellulite' silent majority. I helped them to sleep right up to breakfast and not to feel intimidated by the slapping of rubber soles on the pavement outside their windows. We finished off the week with the joggers not running the last morning. A victory for the 'cellulite' group. We had over 50 families representing the countries of: Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, India, Korea, Philippines, Texas, Tennessee and Illinois.

Our trip to the Missionary Forum started the day before mid year graduation ceremonies. There were eight men in the Third year class. Seven of them graduated with one having to come back next year to finish some courses he didn't pass. One of the graduating men is named Jona Peter. His parents are members of the Goroka congregation and we were working in Goroka when Jona was born. It makes us feel a bit old but also very happy to see the second generation being trained in the Word of God.

August - September Kathy taught the ladies a morning class on Galatians. I taught Ezekiel and Daniel. September - October (the last block) I am teaching the book of Revelation. Kathy is teaching James. I am also still busy compiling new song books which includes: the Pidgin and English words with notes; Fijian and English words with notes; and Bislama and English words with notes. In my free time I am in constant contact with government officials in regard to immigration concerns and relief efforts. These are stories which should be printed in 'Ripley's Believe It or Not.'

This 'n' That
Though elections are over the violence continues. Villagers who did not like who won have torched whole villages and tribal fights are still brewing. This has meant that many village schools have shut down and the students not attending classes for the rest of this year. A drought (some areas in the Highlands also had severe frost) affects about 50% of PNG shutting down schools as there is no water and the families are having to spend more time trying to find food. Official estimates are that over 400,000 people are affected. With 75-80% of PNG people being subsistent farmers the government is finding itself in a dilemma trying to find sufficient funds to effectively cater for this need. They have to fund sufficient food for up to four months while gardens re-grow. They have come up with $3 mil so far (less than $7.50 per person for 4 months food).

In Christian service.

Tobey & Kathy Huff

Prayer needs: 1. MBC.; 2. Continued support drought affected brethren (funds can be sent to College St. marked "PNG Relief Fund" 3. Biblical leadership for PNG and Island churches. 4. Ruth Coles for healing of her back.
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW E.MAIL ADDRESS e.mail: thuff@online.net.pg