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”
Tag Archives: Mendi
Synod and other meetings
Every year representatives from the churches in the Highlands would gather to find out what was happening and to make important decisions together. The annual meeting was called the ‘Synod’. This photo collection from 1959 to 2006 shows Synod meetings and other important meetings of church leaders. Click on the arrows to move forward orContinue reading “Synod and other meetings”
Highlands Baptisms
The first baptism service in Mendi was in May 1961. After that there were many baptisms as more and more people became Christians. This photo collections shows groups of people who were baptised from the 1960s onwards. Click on the arrows to move forward and back to see the slides.
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.”
11. Tari Beginnings, 1953
Tari, 1953 Roland Barnes was very keen to start his new work in Tari. He and his wife Miriam were on furlough in their home State of Queensland at the end of 1952 when they found out that he was to start a new mission in Tari. The government officers said that Mrs Miriam BarnesContinue reading “11. Tari Beginnings, 1953”
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”
08. Early Plans at Unjamap, 1952
Mendi, 1952 In the first full year with the new staff in Mendi, the mission group had to stay in the area close to Unjamap because the government patrol officers thought that it was not safe yet to go further away. They were busy with new buildings for a small hospital. Rev Roland Barnes andContinue reading “08. Early Plans at Unjamap, 1952”
07. Elsie Wilson, Teacher in Mendi, 1952
Mendi, 1952 Miss Elsie Wilson came to Mendi as a teacher to work in the new little mission school. She arrived with Rev Roland Barnes and his wife Miriam, and Sister Joyce Walker in October 1951. Elsie Wilson was an experienced teacher. She went to New Britain to teach in the Methodist Mission school atContinue reading “07. Elsie Wilson, Teacher in Mendi, 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”
05. Setepano Nabwakulea: a Teacher from Papuan Islands District, 1951
Mendi 1951-1953 ‘We are thankful for the strong missionary instincts of the Younger Churches and for the gift of these young workers from the Solomons, Papua and New Guinea.’ Missionary Review 1953 Setepano Nabwakulea was one of the first men from Papuan Islands District to go to work with the new mission in Mendi. HeContinue reading “05. Setepano Nabwakulea: a Teacher from Papuan Islands District, 1951”
Margaret Reeson 