Newsletter for May 1976
Dear Brethren in Christ:
Absolutely fantabulous! This is perhaps the most accurate expression to explain
the time spent between May 3-7.
During these five days all of us missionaries met together for the Third
annual Missionary Workshop for edification and fellowship. This years workshop
was held at the Faith Mission campground located just on the back side of Mt.
Michael, in the Eastern Highlands Province. We were three hours from Goroka (80
miles) about 6500 feet above sea level. Truly a beautiful place to unwind and
revive ourselves. The following were present: Joe Cannons, Ray Locks, David Locks,
Rick Nilands, Elizabeth Pheiffer, Lorna Fairley, Mike Lock, from Lae; Joe Reynolds-
Madang; John Wallaces, Curtis Harrisons, Tom Moore-Goroka; Andy Scotts-Watabung;
Tobey Huffs-Kundiawa. The Gary Hyers- Port Moresby and Reg and Ruth Coles- Waria
Valley were unable to attend. Classes were held each morning. Afternoons were
spent in fun and relaxation and each evening was filled with singing and a lesson.
Our theme was "Revive us again" and we did it before the week was out.
For those of you who have used a Coleman pressure lamp
you will know what I mean. After the initial lighting of a pressure
lamp the lamp illumination depends on the pressure. One doesn't
always realize the lamp is slowly growing dimmer until it Is almost
out. Then it Is just a matter of pumping pressure into the Iamp
again and It will brighten up. We are the same way. Our physical
and spiritual lives slowly lose "pressure" which is
unnoticeable until we are really run down. Then it's just a matter
or re-pressuring ourselves or reviving ourselves again. This time
of refreshing is needed periodically here for us all. The work
here is demanding and thus we find ourselves always giving. Always
giving physically and spiritually without replenishment would
mean eventual death.
With this renewal of mind and body all of us present
were able to return to our various works recharged to do a better
job for Jesus.
Several other things have happened this month to make
news. Our dog had three puppies after the workshop. Our vehicle
broke a spring going into the workshop.
May 17th a meeting was held here In Kundiawa for all
those of school age children (white-skin) who wanted to start
an "A" school (Australian curriculum). The school had
been closed by the government in Feb, because the required 12
children could not be found to attend. We found out during this
meeting that we are one of only 25 white-skin families in all
of Chlmbu province compared with 200,000 natives. We adjourned
the meeting having found 12 students and school started back up
May 24th. Teresa was to have been in prop school (kindergarten)
but has been put in the first grade. She was only 5 In Feb., The
school has two teachers and one large room which has been divided
Into two sections, This is truly frontier country.
Thursday May 20 Andy and Catherine Scott attempted to
drive the road to Madang. This road had 7 bridges washed out during
Feb. While driving through one of the rivers their car was swept
down stream and was finally stopped by a log a 1/4 mile later.
They said the water at times was over the hood and they were sitting
with water over the waists. Andy finally walked out to the Swiss
Mission down the road and they pulled him out and helped him dry
the car out.
May 21st Kathy and I were out on our steps about 5 pm
watching the kids swinging when we experienced two earth tremors
back to back. They moved our 3000 gal water storage tanks about
4" in a side to side swaying motion. The tremors were centered
60 miles south of us and registered 7.5 Richter scale. WOW !!!!
The last week in May we burned up a front wheel bearing
on the Rover while going to Lae. I hitched a ride to Lae for the
part while Kathy and kids stayed with the vehicle. I came back
fixed the vehicle and drove on into Lae as evening fell. We were
in Lae for 5 days working on their trucks and cars and buying
supplies we are unable to purchase here in Kundiawa. When we returned
from Lae the vibration of the road vibrated our carburetor loose.
It fell off just as we drove into John Wallace's yard in Goroka.
Each day in full of just such excitement.
In our congregations this month: Dumun- 16 (average attendance),
$3.30 (contribution p/wk); Bima Piau- 25, $5.60; Musal-10, 50¢;
Kumogoko -all the Christians have moved to other areas and worship
is held only when we can find the time.
This month finished with us seeing the Joe Reynolds family
departing Papua New Guinea for America, the Reg Coles left for
furlough via. Australia-Little Rock Ark, and then to England.
The Gary Hyer family announced that they will be departing Port
Moresby In Dec. to return to the States to stay.
Thank you for your prayers and letters and we ask that
they continue.
In the Master's service
The Huffs
Box 69
Kundiawa
Papua New Guinea.