SOVEREIGN
GRACE BAPTIST MISSION
Int.
– Malawi / Papua New Guinea
P.O.
Box 60150 Ndirande Bt. 6 Blantyre Malawi Africa/
P.O.Box
1261 - Mt Hagen (WHP) Papua New Guinea
Missionary
/ Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Email:
panagioite04@gmail.com
Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com
Date: (Date from Peter's Email is Nov. 8, 2015 scf)
Dear Pastor, Church, and All Supporters;
(James 5:16) “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Pray without ceasing.”
Continued from last report…
I took up the prayer meeting the very next day at Tanggi Mission Station, with several pastors who attended. The prayer meeting was pointed, direct and concise, asking GOD for rain, much needed rain. (Jeremiah 33:3) “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
(Isaiah 65:24) “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
Each one had their turn for calling upon the Name of our LORD and whilst we were still in our prayer meeting, it began to thunder and the sound of rain was heard whilst we were in our prayer meeting. I will tell you this, we serve a Sovereign and gracious GOD, HE performed a miracle this day as far as I am concerned, no man, or Government, no King, or President holds the key to the windows of Heaven, except Jehovah GOD. HE gives or withholds at HIS will. (Daniel 4:35) “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”
The rains have continued now for near three weeks, everywhere there is new life, streams have started running again, and the rivers have evidence of GOD’S handiwork. The gardens have been burned off, reminding me of the working of the H.S. our lives when HE starts HIS work of the New Birth. The dried up ground now, made soft and fresh with the rains, have been turned and prepared for planting, new sweet potato vines have been planted and though young and tender, have taken root, vibrant with life, and so the cycle of life starts all over again.
I am reminded of how the LORD takes each of us, dead in our sins, HE sends the fires of Judgment, warnings, proclamations of going out into eternity without the “blood of HIS Son” as a covering, damned forever, but then here come the rains of the Gospel, giving the message of hope, there is HIS H.S. doing what each of us (who have been born again) could not do, and that is converting the soul, giving the fruit of “Faith and Repentance”, bringing us to HIM.
The Skies have been silent for days on end, but then there it was, as though it were the voice of HIM answering to our prayers…(Job 40:9) “Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?”
When the LORD speaks, things happen, the impossible becomes possible.
(Ezekiel 34:26) “And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.”
Surely we all need “showers of blessings” in our Countries, Churches, Families, and lives.
I spent the next two weeks here at the Tanggi Mission Station, working, preaching and preparing groundwork for our new “temporary house”. There was an old bush house that had been built on the grounds where I plant to build our house, so this had to be dismantled.
The ground had to be levelled and all this is done by hand, no machinery but then again most of my life on the mission field has been that way…I am not sure if the LORD wants me to always do things the hard way, so I will appreciate more the nicer things of life, or perhaps it is the messages HE preaches to me whilst on the field, in doing these labours.
I find in my work, both physically as well as spiritually, there are numerous examples, and many lessons, which the LORD gives, and teaches us. As I have said before, I have learned more from the LORD’S teachings and preaching on the field, and then I have learned anywhere else… Did not Paul say – (Galatians 1:12) “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
The LORD also said to HIS disciples that before HE would depart, there would be Another, that would come, and HE would (John 14:26) “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
There were plans being made for the December Bible Conference to be held at Hialupena where the late Pastor Ekere Ibago is from, together with a memorial service, which had been delayed due to various circumstances. The preparations were being made to this end, and I was assisting in bringing all this together.
For several days, I worked with several men in completing the headstone to mark a memorial for the late Ekere Ibago at his home place located at Hialupena where Bro. Ekere was pastor for many years, and where the Bible School had been established for our work. This was accomplished and the few days remaining we were organizing for food for both the Conference as well as the memorial service.
The way it works in PNG is a system, which was taught to them by my father many years ago, in which, members of the local churches participate and work together in order to provide the means to host a series of meetings, Bible conference, Revival meetings, etc.
All during this time, my wife and I were discussing, planning and praying about what time we should depart PNG back to the USA via Malawi. As we began to consider dates we found that nowhere in the month of Dec was it feasible for us to travel. This would mean that I would not be able to stay or be present for the Dec Bible conference in PNG. However, I also knew that our LORD was the One who was in control and would open and close doors for the work, our lives, and order our steps to accomplish HIS will.
The tickets in December were beyond financial reason no matter who you might be; therefore we came back to Nov and began from there. Long story cut short, the day fell on the 18th of Nov for us to depart Mt. Hagen for Port Moresby, same date exiting PNG onward to Cairns, AU.
I would need time to set things in order at the Tanggi mission station, and then drive to the Nogoli mission station to secure the vehicle in the container for safety reasons. I began to set the security of the house and property at Tanggi in order; I would have responsible men looking after the mission station and house. This consisted of several meetings and agreements between these men and myself. There is an underlying fact amongst the PNG people, and that is for generations, most of the culture is passed down through stories, history, dictation and conferencing together. This means, physically talking about things, and through issues, again this means lots of time, repeating etc.
There is not much left in our home in PNG to steal, after all these years of being gone, there have been many break-ins and theft leaving only the house itself. However, we did set up some things in the house to accommodate our lives, some of these items were unpacked from the shipping container, which had come from Malawi and are now being used again in the field of PNG.
Some of these items were stowed in the house, but many of the smaller things we packed up and took to Nogoli to repack in the shipping container.
The time of departure was at hand, and at 0300 hrs. I began to set things in order for us to pack in the vehicle what we would transport to the shipping container. By 0400 hrs. We had departed Tanggi for Nogoli, it would be a slow drive as we were heavy laden and the road conditions do not allow for fast overland travel.
It was raining heavy and for the next three hours we drove through the early morning hours until we reached the Nogoli mission station. After our unpacking from the vehicle, the three chaps whom I had taken with, we took the vehicle to a nearby river and washed it inside and out in preparation for stowage again.
To some reading these reports, may question all the labour and work involved in safe guarding the property, which the LORD has given us over the years, and some may even question the validity of all the energy, effort and time involved in these exercises. However, as I have many times made reference to…IF it was important at the time to purchase these (items), then looks like to me, that it would also be important enough to be good stewards of what the LORD has given us.
I know that there are differing ideas as how to do mission work; I also know that every mission field has different needs and different applications to that work. It would do any pastor or supporter a world of good to visit these fields where our work has been and is going on, this would settle the score for most.
Our packing went smoothly and did not take as much time as initially calculated, which is always a good thing. I made an agreement with a local to drive us to Mt. Hagen after church services on Sunday morning. The driver said he would be prepared.
I spent the next couple days at Nogoli mission station, discussing some of the issues with the mission work in that area, and the plan for the upcoming Bible conference.
Fifteenth of November, Sunday morning I assembled with the Nogoli Baptist church for services. They asked me to preach and I did so, we had a good crowd of upwards of fifty people, the spirit was good and though there were no outward professions, seemed that overall the church was encouraged and strengthened.
We soon changed clothes and packed the few things we had and set off for the long journey to Mt. Hagen. In some ways, I was able to enjoy the trip, or at least in a different way. Not having to concentrate as the driver, I was at more liberty to view the scenery and appreciate the handiwork of GOD viewing the landscape and mountains as we navigated towards the heading set before us.
It was late afternoon when we arrived at our destination, bathing and preparation for the meals were prepared and soon the evening was upon us, ending our day.
The next couple days we I concluded our business in Mt. Hagen, and we set ourselves to the task of packing, what to leave, and what to take. This is never a simple task when travelling to different countries with different weather patterns, and geographical challenges, however I have adopted a profile in my life and mission work, i.e., if you cannot fit it in your backpack, and if (you) cannot carry what (you) put in your pack, then you probably don’t need it!
I conducted more meetings in the evenings with different men who are key players in the mission work here in PNG and left them with instructions for the Bible Conference and the work until our LORD deems it necessary in HIS providence to enable us to return.
On the 18th of Nov (Wed) we said our good-byes to the Ibago family and others who seen us off at the airport, we took our flight to Port Moresby, and out the same day to Cairns Australia. We had to overnight due to the travel Itinerary, however the lodging we had secured did not arrive to collect us at the airport until near two hours later, at which time the owner of the lodging refused to put us up and said we would have to acquire other accommodations.
We were dropped in town with nowhere to go, no vehicle, no place secured and some baggage to carry around. We managed to get some accommodations, being late, weary from an early and long day, we called it an evening.
The next day we departed Cairns Australia for the long trip back to Blantyre, Malawi. For the next two days we would travel and arrived in Blantyre on the 21st of Nov. Having been in PNG for the past five months, humid, but cooler temp’s in the mountains, yes the sun is strong (3 degrees S of the equator) but the heat is not felt so much due to the height and elevation of the mountains.
When we stepped off the aeroplane in Blantyre, Malawi – temperature was a very warm 105 degrees. It was a short walk to the terminal and within a few minutes my shirt was wet with perspiration. Sherry likes the cooler weather and I like the hotter temperature, so our LORD is kind to both of us.
To be continued…
Missionary Peter A Halliman
Continued from last Report…
Entry into Malawi was smooth and fluid, many familiar faces, such a contrast for us after having spent five months in PNG with the natives there and their culture.
We were met by those who have given their lives to serve the LORD here in Malawi, namely, Eric, Edwin, and Oliver they have been with our mission work for years, and the first two have become quite an assets to the work, in as much as they speak good English, and have worked hand in hand with me over the years both in the Bible School as well as in the field. We have made countless mission trips into the bush, and different preaching points until a work was started and church organized.
The Apostle Paul instrusted Timothy to (2 Timothy 2:2) “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
I have learned from hard experience that it is not just in the teaching of ‘others’ that we (Pastors, Missionaries, Evangelists etc.) are to be concerned with, but according to what I understand about the above verse, we need to examine, determine, and prove those who are ‘faithful’ before we invest our time, financial support and recommendations.
I have no reservations in these men as to their ability and dedication to the LORD and HIS work. They have given tirelessly and unselfishly to this work over the years, with nothing more then a meal, some clothes to wear, and a grass roof over their heads. They have families too and must provide for them. I have over the years tried to help where and when I could.
The balance of the day, we managed to get some funds exchanged and do some minor shopping in Blantrye before proceeding to the property. You may remember that in 2013, I constructed a building for the Bible School on a piece of property, which I bought. All the details of this have been published in past reports; therefore I will refrain from redundancy. The building, which was built, was basic and rough compared to standards found in developed countries. However, it has a roof, a concrete floor, and windows, natural airflow articulated by the LORD’S hand. There is no electric bill, nor water board bill, the water is free from the mountain, and the electric is switched on by the LORD at the breaking of dawn, and switched off at the close of the day. We managed to bring back two solar lights (sized 2.5” X 2.5”) from PNG so that we would have some form of lighting at night.
The next few days we settled in to a different life (again), there are a lot of issues with the churches here and mission work, which need to be addressed but all in The LORD’S timing. We still have transportation here the second hand Range Rover I shipped over in 2008.
The rainy season here in Malawi has been delayed, (not late), as all things are right on time with the LORD.
Just over a month now, we have been here in Malawi; I have had several meetings with different pastors and churches regarding the work, one big difference between the Malawians and the Papua New Guineans is the Malawians have seen from the top down how to be a receiver of goods, (Malawi is a donor country) with no accountability for the funding they receive??) Many corrupt politicians, and it trickles down from there.
Therefore, when the head of state is being fed, what more for the grass-roots people! This was a habit long before I came, and will continue long after I am dead. I have taught for near twenty years to the African’s (Malawi / Mozambique) GOD’S Financial program for the local church – Tithes & Offerings) however, when a local church will not even support their pastor (even on their level) then they – the pastors – turn to the missionary to support them as this is what they have learned from all other churches, and religious organizations, thus the problem!
I have conducted Bible lessons most every day since being here, some are previous students and some are new. I have been doing mission work now for thirty years, and there is one doctrine that I consistently see as being difficult to embrace in a practical way. Theoretically, for most professing (Christians) if the teacher can connect the dots then most will agree or accept the teaching, and that is about where it halts. Just as soon as a great and distressing trial appears in the lives of many so called Christians, they fall away, fall apart, blame everyone, and everything, and even The LORD for the situation they are in.
Our time here is only temporary, as we had initially departed the US in March of 2015 to simply come to Malawi in order to take care of the legal issues, which surrounded the vehicle which was in custody of my friend who passed away. We were about to depart Malawi to return to the US and finalize business from there and go on to PNG. However, as I have already written in previous reports, I was forced to depart Malawi for PNG take care of business there and after five months, we returned to Malawi.
Sometime by the end of Jan we should be in the USA LORD willing. I will fast forward in the few weeks we have been here. I have made a trip to the border of Mozambique to meet with several pastors and concerned church members. The journey was long, hot, and dusty. The meeting was opened and we began to discuss the issues of the work, at the end of the day the main concerns were, the pastors asking if I could supply some Bibles and song books (hymnals).
May I at this point shed some knowledge gained through ‘real experience’, some years ago, in the Bible School, there were pastors who offered the same problem. I organized for this end, and handed over cases of Bibles and hymnals to the pastors, in time as I visited these same churches, no one had Bibles or any hymnals…truth of the story is they were selling them in the local markets, making a business out of the LORD’S work.
Therefore, I declined to follow this procedure, but instead told each pastor that if they would attend the bible school, then they would receive their Bible, school books etc. and anything after that, fifty per cent of the cost they would put, and I would add the other fifty per cent of the cost.
I am a firm believer that nothing is for nothing, and that element is hard to teach in Africa where various Missionaries come here with all their packages and programs.
In His Name,
Missionary Peter A. Halliman