I am now left with the sobering thought that a great responsibility rests with me, the responsibility of beginning God’s work among these people. Rev Cliff Keightley 4 December 1959, Nipa We do not understand this talk. It is new to us. We want you with us. Some of us will die, and maybe youContinue reading “25. New work at Nipa, 1959-60”
Tag Archives: patrol officers
21. New contacts in the Lai Valley, 1957
1957 Two visitors came to the mission at Unjamap in 1954. They were curious about these strange white people. They saw many signs of change and new things on the mission site. New gardens, large foreign buildings built in ways that were different from the traditional Mendi style. There were strange animals, voices speaking inContinue reading “21. New contacts in the Lai Valley, 1957”
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”
17. Drama and death among the people of Mendi, 1955
The people of Mendi were busy with their own lives, their own ideas, traditions and beliefs. They saw that the foreign Methodist mission people, and the Government patrol officers, were living in their valley and making some changes, but most of the Mendi people were more interested in their own activities. The mission staff atContinue reading “17. Drama and death among the people of Mendi, 1955”
16. Visitors from a wider world, 1955
Workers from New Zealand, Germany and Tonga join the mission team In 1955, the mission team spoke at least six different languages in their homes and tried to learn the languages of the local people as well. They were all a very long way from their homes. For many centuries, perhaps for thousands of years,Continue reading “16. Visitors from a wider world, 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”
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”
Margaret Reeson 