New Guinea Newsletter for March 1976

 

Dear Brethren:

 

Welcome to Chimbu The month of March was filled with the sounds of moving at our house in Goroka.

 

Terasa and Jason were constantly getting boxes out to pack their books and toys like daddy and mommy. We have been able to lease 2 x 2 bedroom flats in Kundiawa. It is just a 30 minute drive to our congregations as compared with the 1 1/2 hour drive from Goroka. We were able to lease both flats for a little more then what we were paying In Goroka for a medium size flat there. We knocked out a section of the separating wall and have a spare bedroom for guests and an office for me. The Lord provides.

 

We were finally able to lease a truck to pick+ up our stuff and haul it on April 2nd. We waited and waited for them to come at 9:00 am it finally came at 3:00 pm. One problem: the afternoon rains were settling in . We decided we'd wait until the following morning (Sat) to load, so we told them to come back then.

 

Next morning we finally got the truck all loading and they pulled out at 11:30 for Kundiawa. Kundiawa is 58 miles from Goroka. After having lunch at the John Wallaces, Jason and I put Kathy and Terasa on a plan to Kundiawa while we did some last minute cleanup. It only took them 20 minutes flying while It took us 11/2 hours driving. After loading the Rover up with all the last minutes things (garbage cans tricycles, office chair, outside toys lashed to the top of the Rover) Jason and I left Goroka about 2:30.

 

The truck arrived at our flats in Kundiawa two minutes before Jason and I at 4:00 pm. It took us until 6:00 pm to unload the truck and car. We had about 12 of our barreIs still outside and with darkness we decided to move them close to the house and empty them In the morning.

  OUR WATERTANKS: Jason & Terasa with Yusi

Our flats are located at the back and above a large industrial workshop (now vacant) and thus In essence we are two stories above the ground. In addition to our barrels our two tree kangaroos were caged next to the house.

 

We were awakened to the cry of a native at 6:30 Sunday morning- our barrels had been broken into and our cage with the tree kangaroos was missing. The sight was total disheartening to behold- four barrels with the lids off by the house, a few clothes and empty clothes hangers littering the ground. The cage and an empty barrel were found down the road in the bushes both empty. The tree kangaroos were gone (to be killed, eaten and the skins used for decoration), all our hang up clothes with the exception of some of Kathy's dresses were taken; all my shirts, double knit slacks, Kathy's pant suits and her summer dresses and the kids good clothes. In all about $300 worth of our clothes and things. The barrels they emptied down the road contained my type writer which they unceremonially threw into the bush and office junk which they scattered about. They took a out 150 spools of thread which Kathy had brought over with her.

 

The police were called around 7:15 am but did not arrive until 10:00 am. This was only after a man went to fetch them. The night shift had taken the call and they forgot to inform day shift where they came on duty at 8:00pm. Kundiawa had a population of maybe 2000 with a police force of over 200.

 

This was our WELCOME TO CHIMBU! The Chimbu people are renowned for their thievery and fighting. But Jesus died for them also.

 

The Lord truly has blessed us. Though Satan would like to see us pack up and leave this work In this ripe area of souls, he'll have to do more than this. Even in time of such discouragement the Lord shows us His love and blesses us. We are now over an hour away from our nearest fellowworkers (the Andy Scotts in Watabung). We have no telephone and no movies to go to here, but the Lord is with us. This move has placed us right with our brethren and situates us where we will be able to do the most good for the Lord's work here.

 

During March Rosabelle Cannon's nephew, Larry Voyles, who has spent the last three years in Zambia for the Lord came to Papua New Guinea and spent a week with us up here in Chimbu. We have sold him on the work here and he is planning to come back after finding funds In the states, While in Lae he has become engaged to Lois Lock, daughter of Ray Lock missionary there. They plan a June wedding.

 

During March Lae held a week-long Gospel meeting with the addition of 36 souls and an average attendance of 290. Our last Sunday In Goroka I preached and one of our Christian girls came forward for restoration. She had become pregnant (New Guinea custom calls for the trying out of your future bride) but had never repented. Also the English work in Goroka has seen 4 baptisms in the Tech school. We have received word from our brethren at Bima Piau that a village to whom they have been preaching is ready to become Christians. We will be seeing them later this month. Another congregation was started this last Sunday at Musal where we has 28 present for worship 5 being Christians.

 

Our area is the scene of renewed tribal fighting resulting In two deaths and 40 houses burned down.

 

Brethren much work awaits us and we need your prayers. Your prayers for our strength. Your prayers for our needs of additional workers and funds.

 

If Satan is trying to hinder our ministry so soon after we moved here just think of the good he knows is possible if we labor here.

 

We so appreciate all of you who have written and plan to answer your letters soon.

 

Our new address is

Mr & Mrs. Tobey Huff
PO Box 69
Kundiawa
Papua New Guinea

 

Your's in the Master's service

 

The Huffs