SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST MISSION
International – Papua New Guinea / Malawi Africa
P.O. Box 60150 Ndirande Bt. 6 Blantyre Malawi /
P.O. Box 233 – Mt Hagen (WHP) Papua New Guinea
Tanggi Mission Station – North Koroba, Hela Province, PNG
Missionary / Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Email: panagioite04@gmail.com
Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com
Date: 19th Sept 2024
Dear Pastor, Church, & All Supporters:
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Special Report (Vehicle) Third and Final Part:
This report will detail a lot of logistics, (do it) it gets done, (don’t) do without! The age and generation we live amongst today, (everyone is a trophy winner), if NOT awarded, then you deal with the bellyaching of (I am a victim) syndrome. This is where it is, like it, don’t like it, but the (Truth) cannot be ignored. The past two generations were the builders, engineers, designers etc. they are the ones who put the mechanics of life together for us today, they worked, then worked some more, never complaining.
When things were purchased (before generation) things were taken care of, when something broke, they fixed it, when its life was spent, the engineering took over and remade and used again. Things were not (thrown away) just to go buy a new one. People didn’t have much, but they had quality of what they had, men worked the fields, factories, women cooked (home-made meals), sewed, made quilts, blankets, clothing why? Because many could not afford (store bought things).
Why do I relate all the above, because for forty years, I repeated, lived out what I was taught, just what I explained. Many years, I couldn’t buy even if I wanted it, as it was not available where I lived, ministered in the LORD’S Work.
The new vehicle was ready to purchase, I made this purchase via tele-call to my home bank, TX in which, they bank wired the funds to the owner. It took a few days to clear and confirm. I had an opportunity to visit a welding/ fabrication shop near the vehicle owner. We talked, I gave my designs and request for full window (dbl-cab) front windscreen that I wanted protected. I did not simply want security-mesh wire as its too easily cut, vandalism, vehicle stolen etc. besides the wire will not stop heavy stones that are thrown at the vehicle. (pics will show what I mean).
The added cost was just over four thousand USD, some may question this, some may disagree, but before you do, I have a suggestion, you buy a ticket, come live here and you travel in public transport for three months, on these public roads, then we will discuss again if you disagree! What does it cost you for health Ins. Per year? This is my health Ins.
I departed AU for PNG with the agreement that the vehicle would be serviced, extra filters, a new windscreen installed as there were two small dimple from stones in past years, AU-outback roads. The owner Adrian agreed, I drew up a bill of sale, we both signed, dated, and had a Commissioner for Oats stamp and sign and date the document as it would make it official.
I had spent the weekend with Adrian and his family, on Monday early, he took me to the Airport, and we said goodbye. I boarded my flight to Cairns, AU from Townsville, AU, connecting onward to Port Moresby, PNG same day. I arrived just around lunch, collect my baggage, and took a taxi to the Mapang Missionary home where I spent two days, before taking my flight out to Mt. Hagen. I arrived in Mt. Hagen seven days from the time I departed the USA, I gain a day coming, lose a day going back.
The clock was running, and I was busy finding a shipping company, plus forwarding agent in AU that would do the job of getting the vehicle here. Many emails, text messages, and tele-calls were made when finally, a shipping company agreed as they regularly shipped in and out of PNG., days of communications passed, then a timetable was sent for a vessel to set sail from Townsville, AU to Lae, Port Moresby. Before I go further, let me point out that, it is perinate that you do your homework, the first company I received a quote for $13,000.00 USD another was $9000.00 this is unreasonable tariffs, for the distance.
The last shipper quoted $4040.00 USD, I felt this was God’s answer and after much prayer, I agreed and put things in motion. The vehicle was finished at the fab-shop, Adrian took pics and sent me before shipment, it looked good. The vehicle was driven to the Wharf, loaded into a container, locked loaded and set sail.
This was on the 21st of June, I departed the USA on 30th April 24, over two months of constant communications and working out all these logistics. I had been given a name of an Australian who is a Customs clearing agent here in PNG, does a lot of clearing for Bob Bates, the owner of the lodge, where I rent and stay. I had started communicating with Dave (his name) from the US side before departing., his answer, when you have the vehicle ready to set sail send me all the vehicle details. He being a ‘Whiteman’ that has a different meaning over here, don’t read this and get excited for no reason, I figured he would take care of business efficiently and straightforward.
I sent him copies of the ‘bill of sale’ original price paid, VIN, Eng. No. all details of vehicle (much) the B/L Sea freight copies of the Export fees paid, from the forwarding agent/ shipper. Please note, I had sent multiple emails, texts, WhatsApp messages with my name, PNG address, US-Tel. No. / PNG -Tel. No. Email so there wasn’t any reason or excuse for me NOT to be out of the circulation for updates and notices.
Fast forward in the narrative, the vessel landed in Lae on the 27th of Aug 2024, I was still in school teaching had no notification, no emails, no text, nothing from no one! I had been checking my emails several times a day and messages, but nothing. At the beginning I was told the vessel would take seven to fourteen days to reach Lae, I did my calculations, and was on top of things my end, this is not my first time to export / import, I know how the system works and the burden always falls on (you).
Dave led me on up to the last of July and said he could not clear the vehicle for personal reasons (compassionate) whatever that is supposed to mean (?). He literally dropped the ball, bailed out and left me holding the bag as though it were. I got busy and for several days called, emailed people I knew / know in PNG to assist, try these, try those, all the while the container had been offloaded on the PNG Lae harbour wharf, incurring floor charges. The container was also bonded, meaning I had to pay the bond, (which I would get back) once I cleared the vehicle, the shipper would redeem their shipping container.
I managed to raise the same chap who had assisted me in clearing the x-military truck when shipped in 2019, I again had to send all relevant documentation, at his request, forwarded all emails from Dave and I showing, he had agreed to clear the vehicle and proving I had followed protocol to send all legal documentation. Salastian started working on the assignment and found the container on the wharf already, which he sent pics and confirmation. This is where the rubber hits the road, in order for the vehicle to be released from the container the bond fee had to be paid, all the while floor charges are incurring. The container will be reloaded after fourteen days of off-loading, and if contents are not cleared, the vehicle / container will be returned to Townsville, AU, we were on day fourteen, Salastian asked if I could send a bank transfer (local), problem is I don’t keep many funds in the local account in PNG, why? Because the exchange rate is too volatile, besides any large transactions, there is documentation that has to be filled out in person and handed to management, can take days.
I asked if his company could not do the bonding and I could reimburse them when paying the final bill. He agreed in order to get the vehicle out. I immediately contacted my pastor about the situation, they decided and immediately deposited fifteen thousand into the mission account to cover all vehicle shipment, clearing, customs, registration cost plus five of the ten thousand would assist in the Bible academy. Please note, they have not asked, for me to say or tell this, BUT I feel it is important for readers to know when GOD’S people are committed, perhaps that may help others who question or feel undecided to commit to HIS work.
With the money in the mission account (which I have a Debit card) cleared for Int. usage, I tried different ways to get the money to the clearing agent, it was originally quoted to me that the Customs duty (PNG) was 20% on invoice and 10% GST, this put me at $14,100.) total, I had my regular monthly support still remaining plus some balance I kept from the previous months as I knew I would face this, just over 4000.
A note I want to insert here (when I had Dave) handling this, he knew the vehicle was coming out of AU to PNG, and that is what he quoted me whilst I was in the USA, even
before I bought the vehicle. However, when Salastian took over, he sent me a printout from the Customs dept stating any vehicle not being imported from Japan or China would incur a 40% Customs duty and 10% GST, you tell me what is wrong with that picture?
The government has sold out to the Asian countries, mostly China, the vehicle Industry, the Japanese didn’t lose the war in the South Pacific after all.
As Salastian pursued the matter following up with proof that I had been wrongly informed and since the vehicle had been bought and already landed in PNG was asking the PNG Customs to be human using some grace instead of always pushing the letter of the law.
Over much prayer, the next week as that went into the weekend, I was informed that the 20% duty & 10% GST would be levied but we had by Wed of the new week to conform.
I asked my pastor to send a bank wire to Salastian’ business account, after much information was exchanged, (time delays) US & PNG – the bank in Fl. Wells Fargo said they could not send to that account as they needed an intermediary bank, this being relayed, Salastian advocated they received large sums internationally weekly in their operations. I don’t have the answer, we moved on to plan B – I would have the pastor send the money to my personal account here in Mt. Hagen, which is a national bank of PNG. The account information was sent, Bro. Tate sent the bank wire, after two attempts it went through on the third, remember I am a day ahead of you in the USA. The money was received in Port Moresby, capitol city, however no one from my bank notified me, no communications between the head bank and the branch bank (Mt. Hagen). Lots of phone calls, emails etc. I had to call Port Moresby, spoke with the International dept., they requested copies of the following:
- Passport I.D. Page
- Letter from Employer verifying employment (US & PNG)
- Copies of my work permit, Visa, and letter from Immigration that has a Lic No attached with work permit.
- Purpose of Funds transfer
- Copy of Sea Freight B/L
- Bank Branch details Acc. etc.
- PNG taxpayers I.D. No.
If you think it’s tough to do business in the US, then come join me. Documents sent, verified, another form was sent to me to fill out by hand not (type out in computer) hand signed, dated, and Blue Ink mandated. Form for International incoming Foreign Currencies to be allowed. I did this, but guess what, I was out of ink in my printer (no vehicle) took public transport to town bought the ink, no transport running, hiked eleven miles up the mountain to the lodge. Printed the form, filled out, scanned, and sent! Prayed and went to bed. Tomorrow was my last day,
I called Port Moresby, asked them if they could not send to my account here, but to send on to the business account of Salastian as he was the clearing agent. They agreed, sent the funds by 1100 hours. That evening 2000 hrs Salastian called me, said the vehicle was cleared, customs paid, the bond fee reimbursed, and his agency was paid also, that any time I could come down to collect the vehicle.
It was Wednesday and by Thursday, morning I was on a 30-seater bus going to Lae from mt. Hagen, it’s a twelve-hour road trip, not much to speak about along the way except lots of body odour, chewing of betelnut, spitting, stopping at roadside markets for road food, don’t recommend this. I had my travel flask of coffee, one litre of water and some peanuts.
Arrived in Lae 2230 hrs, I had been trying along the trip to book a hotel, no accommodations in the city for that weekend, a major rugby game was on, no room in the Inn. I had the bus driver drop me off at the main town police station. Called Salastin, he came to collect me, and I figured I could sleep in the vehicle and park near the police station for safety.
By Midnight we found a guest house that he knew the owner and he allowed me to stay the night, I had a pastor with me so the two of us spent the night. It had a clean bed, a hot shower, electric and a fan. Lae is hot, but I like that so no worries with me.
Friday, the next morning, (I must tell you) in Lae or around the Coast, they have a completely different weather pattern than the Highlands, Lae averages Temps of high 90’ to 100’ very high humidity (sits on the edge of the South Pacific), monsoons go for six months without a break, day, night. Whilst there, on Friday a major bridge was washed away by heavy floods.
Salastin was doing the road traffic registration for me, vehicle Ins, and number plates as I had already included the money for this.
It was 1830 hrs when we were eating dinner and he came with all the documents, papers, number plates etc. the vehicle was no road worthy in PNG, and legal, it was cleared and ready to drive.
I extended my stay as the number plates had to be fitted and I didn’t have the hardware or tools, so in the morning when the hardware shops opened, we would sort this out.
That night we had prayer went to bed asking our LORD or open the way for our return home. 1000 hrs (10:00 am) Sat. we departed Lae with a full tank, it has long range tanks so I knew I would not need to refuel along the way.
Fourteen miles out of Lae, came to the washed-out bridge area. Police blocks in place, vehicles being checked for 4×4 capacity and only if you were confident, you could cross the river. I have been through this before in Africa, Malawi & Mozambique several times over the years, The river was fast flowing, wide about two hundred metres across. People were arm to arm locked from one side to the other helping to cross, carrying their belongings.
I entered the river, and as long as you keep a bow in the front with correct vehicle speed, in correct gear, (you don’t ‘get a chance to correct mistakes) in midstream. As a Land Rover Defender can only perform it did, came out the other side up a steep muddy bank and on we went aways. I pulled over checked all systems, allowed the water to drain out from the cab and brakes dry.
I pushed on into the day and evening found us in Mt. Hagen nine hours later from departure.
I had lights, that worked, I had a heater to demist the windscreen, and wipers that worked, brakes that held, a radiator system that did not need refilling every hour. God is good, GOD is great, and for sure HE is merciful to HIS people.
Thank you, very very much indeed for all, everyone, anyone, who contributed to offerings of money, prayers, words of encouragement and all the above. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the LORD and HE using His people.
In His Name,
Missionary Peter Halliman
