SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST MISSION
International – Papua New Guinea
P.O.Box 1261 - Mt Hagen (WHP)
Missionary / Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Email: panagioite04@gmail.com
Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com
Date: 12th Nov 2014
Dear Pastor, Church and All Supporters;
1 Samuel 2:30 For them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
I greet each of you in Jesus’ Name, HE who Was, HE who IS, and HE who shall ever BE Amen!
As I write this report, I have returned to my home church here in Henderson, TX. I have been on the road for near sixty days and on this leg alone have covered near seven thousand miles across this great country, a wonderful unfolding of GOD’S handiwork in HIS creation..
After speaking in a Bible Conference at Meadowthorpe Baptist church in Lexington, KY where Elder Frank McClanahan is pastor on the 19th of September through the 21st. It was a great conference and those men who attended preached GOD’s Word without fear or favour.
On the 23rd of Oct my wife and I set off for California via Wyoming where my wife has a daughter, therefore we would take some time in that direction. Further to this, I had promised my wife that when we arrived here in the USA that we would take some private time for ourselves, which we have not had since we were married four years ago.
The drive across this country will quickly reveal the handiwork of our LORD in every direction, every mountain, river, stream, the rocks cry out, the hills clap their hands, the winds come and go and return again, the clouds become the dust of HIS feet, the sun rises at its appointed time and the moon hangs in the night where it has been ordained, the stars shine and sparkle in the heavens all declaring the GLORY of our LORD GOD!
The seasons come and go, the times, days, weeks, months, years all pass bye and bye, however GOD’S Word is settled in the heavens.
From the 25th through 27th my wife and I spent some quite time riding horses in a National Park in Medicine Bow Wyoming. The LORD gave us some quite and restful time (though it was only for a couple days) it was a blessing from the LORD.
We moved on to a visit with my wife’s daughter, who lives in Saratoga, WY, whom she had not visited with for several years. You women who have daughters grown, married and children of their own may relate to this and understand the (female/motherly) connection that you all have with your children and grandchildren. My wife made a commitment to follow the LORD with me where ever that may lead. That includes walking away from family, friends, customs, culture and country where you may call home.
The 3rd of Oct we arrived in California and through the month of October we would spend visiting various churches, friends and loved ones from Sacramento to Greenfield, CA.
The LORD blessed our visits, and rewarded our efforts with much encouragement. The LMBC in Greenfield, CA had agreed to host a special meeting and desired that I speak at the meeting, of which I did. Several folks from surrounding churches attended and our LORD gave us great liberty and sweet fellowship.
I often think about and recall the days gone by where our church meetings would go for three and two weeks long. Folks didn’t think about time, or activities, sports and games. Though families worked, children went to school, and life took its course – GOD’S people were committed to seeking a ‘Holy walk’ with a ‘Holy GOD’. Nothing was too important, or too much, the preacher did not preach too hard, or too long. No one complained that it was late and the children had to get to bed for school.
The children did not run the home life, the parents DID! The school activities did not take priority, church life DID! Those were the days, when GOD’S people took church life, and their Christian life serious. The preachers would not hesitate to preach about SIN, and didn’t preach in generality but called it out and named it. No one gets convicted today about their sins when a preacher is afraid to call out sin in his preaching.
In my visitation of churches around the country, I have seen a ‘falling away’ from every angle, many churches remain with the ‘grey headed’ ones, a few here and there just ‘hanging on’ as though it were.
In a few pockets and corners of this great land, I have come across a church here and there where the LORD has blessed with a core of believers, families with children, and even young people. There are still some families who honour the LORD with their substance, and lives.
As I prepared to depart California and set the compass to East, I realized as I always do when visiting churches, friends, and family when it would be next that I would see them again in this life. As the Word of GOD states (James 4:14) “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
As I travel from church to church, across many miles through the towns, cities, and countryside I find many of the older preachers simply worn out after years of battle scared ministry. Many disappointed in where GOD’S people are today.
I try to encourage as much as lieth within me those men who have stood at the post, given the best years of their lives to the ministry. Each have stood in the face of opposition, fightings from within, and without. I can say much, I have witnessed many things but for you who may read this…. I have something to leave with you for now; (Luke 21:28) “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
I want to thank each of you whom I have visited within the weeks of this year, for your encouragement to me, the sacrificial giving and offerings you made possible for our stay with you. Thank you for all the prayers, and sweet fellowship, which bind us together.
May our LORD keep each of you in the centre of HIS will, bless the work of your hands, and smile upon your lives as you labour for HIM in your field of service.
In His Name,
Missionary Peter A Halliman
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