We, Art Bauman, Dirk Vander Steen and I, are in Papua, New Guinea on a fact-finding and visual aid project so that we can better publicize what God is doing through the Pacific Island Ministries. We have all heard of the work—but to see what is being done and to be present at some of the services is to realize that the half has not been told.
We arrived late Friday and spent Saturday and Sunday in Port Moresby (of World War ll fame). It is a sprawling, hot, tropical metropolis with development problems–the worst being the increasing crime rate and street gangs who rob and rape. P.I.M. is cooperating with national pastor Charles Lappa, an outstanding evangelist who works with a team of converted gang leaders-with “rascals” and street people, as well as directing a ministry in prisons and churches—a very influential ministry which has won the respect and cooperation of authorities in Port Moresby.
Monday we went by small plane to Garasa Valley in the highlands. There a house which was just completed for Sopera was to be formally dedicated. Sopera was for many years a well–paid printer–evangelist who was led by God to return to his tribe in this very remote area where there now is a real spiritual revival. We were welcomed by over 300 people-many attired in tribal regalia with tusks in nose, painted bodies, and elaborate head dress-spears and drums , vigorous dancing, singing and music. The pastor led in fervent prayer, thanking “Pappa God” for feeling sorry for his children, “piccaninies” and sending His Son to die on the cross to save us and help us. Then there was a sermon about the house built on a rock, all sang loudly and fervently, and the house was solemnly dedicated. One can’t help but be in awe at this demonstration of the power of God’s Word, and at God’s leading and directing the building up of His body, the church in Papua New Guinea.
From Garasa we went to Maposi. Georgia has been here only one year, yet has started animal projects, raising goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, a fish pond, rice, vegetables, etc., and also runs a very fine clinic and supervises a community school and church program. God is using this dedicated and enthusiastic person in a wonderfully effective way.
In Ambunti—where it all started—we are surrounded by incredible activity. The saw mill and logging operation, run by trained nationals, providing treated lumber out of a kiln for construction, boat-building, furniture-making , etc. , is evidence of a well-structured training program. Doug Heidema, who heads all this, has also trained nationals in motor mechanics, welding, electrical work, construction, etc. Doug is a key man, soft-spoken, ingenious, respected by all. The fresh water 2500-gallon tanks and catchment systems, manufactured under his direction, are doing much to decrease sickness and mortality by providing clean water. Such systems have already been put in 26 villages and many more will be installed. Among all of the mission stations in the world in which we have been involved*, we have not seen any that come close to such a ministry for the entire man and community as that which Pacific Island Ministries is accomplishing. With only a few missionaries (8 at present) and a low budget, they are indeed “equipping the saints for the work of ministry for the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, 13), which is their mandate. Praise God! He is Mighty!
Other areas are opening up and more personnel are urgently needed, as well as finances, to enter these open doors and to help these people out of poverty, sickness and darkness. We admire the devotion and complete commitment of the workers here-selflessly doing so much with so little. They need the help of committed individuals to accomplish what needs to be done. They are worthy of our wholehearted support and prayers. I am excited and happy to be involved in this and thought you would be interested in knowing what your gifts are doing.
*F. W. Den Dulk was formerly a medical missionary in Ethiopia, and later has taken time from a practice in Seattle to give short–term volunteer medical help to a wide variety of missions in many parts of the world. Pacific Island Ministries began about a quarter of a century ago with the work of the Neal Kooyers family under the sponsorship ofWycliffe Translators in New Guinea. When translation was accomplished, the Kooyers who were school teachers (Neal was formerly superintendent of schools in Shasta County, California) developed a Christian school program in this extremely primitive area which later became an independent mission project. (Recently two missionary pastors have been provided to work with this program by our denominational mission board.) The Kooyers when preparing for work with Wycliffe became members of the Christian Reformed Church in Seattle and assisted in the Christian school there. Their expanding work in New Guinea has had the interest and support of a number of our churches and members.