Here at Mendi each person is trying to cope with more work than one can possibly do… This work which God has sent us to do has outgrown us. John Rees, July 1962 The year has seen a remarkable increase in the number of our people coming forward to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their LordContinue reading “29. Moving to Tende and other changes, 1962”
Tag Archives: agriculture
20. New Beginnings in Mendi 1956
It is peaceful around the Mission area now. In the remote areas the way of these people is to settle all disputes by fighting. When the Government steps in, it helps with problems and gradually these are solved without bloodshed. Gordon Young 1956 “This work of true consolidation in the area has been a hardContinue reading “20. New Beginnings in Mendi 1956”
18. Learning to speak the language, 1955
1955, Mendi ‘Beyond linguistics, beyond personality, we are sure that the Holy Spirit shares this task of language analysis, and teaches us. We acknowledge that it is by prayer and faith, our own and that of friends who uphold us, that we shall comprehend the things we seek to know. How else, than by HisContinue reading “18. Learning to speak the language, 1955”
15. Life in Mendi, 1954
People who liked to fight By 1954, it was clear that there were many challenges for both the Australian government administration and for missions working in the Southern Highlands. Tribal fighting was one of many problems. When some people asked why missions were there at all, the MOM General Secretary Cecil Gribble replied. “But behindContinue reading “15. Life in Mendi, 1954”
13. Laying foundations in Mendi: 1953
Mendi 1953 Bit by bit, the mission team in Mendi were getting to know the people, the language and the customs of the place. The nurse Joyce Walker, the teacher Elsie Wilson and the agriculturalist David Johnston each wrote of their impressions. They knew that the work would be slow and that they needed toContinue reading “13. Laying foundations in Mendi: 1953”
12. The First Church Building in Mendi.
Mendi, 1953 The people at the new Mission in Mendi were very excited when the first church building was opened. Gordon Young wanted to build a church as soon as he arrived in Mendi, but they had to wait until they had houses to shelter their workers. The new building was opened on 27 SeptemberContinue reading “12. The First Church Building in Mendi.”
09. Letter from David Johnston, 1952
Mendi, 1952 David Johnston and his wife Beryl arrived in Mendi late in 1951. The other missionaries in Mendi were people who had already been working in New Guinea for a number of years. David and Beryl Johnston came straight from New South Wales as a young married couple. David was an agriculturalist who workedContinue reading “09. Letter from David Johnston, 1952”
06. Medical Ministry Begins with Joyce Walker, 1952
Mendi 1952 Sister Joyce Walker was an experienced nurse who had been working in New Britain. As soon as it was possible for Australian women to return to New Britain after the war years, Joyce Walker joined the first group of Methodist women to travel to Rabaul, arriving by ship in November 1946. Rabaul townContinue reading “06. Medical Ministry Begins with Joyce Walker, 1952”
03. Starting a New Mission, 1950
Mendi, November 1950 As soon as Gordon Young heard that the MOM Board had approved their new mission, he was very keen to make a start. The next time Assistant District Officer Alan Timperley went on a patrol to Mendi from Mount Hagen, Young went with him. In his first letter from Mendi, Young wrote:Continue reading “03. Starting a New Mission, 1950”
Margaret Reeson 