Sometimes I feel we are getting somewhere, sometimes not. They can do excellent work if they want to do it, but sometimes their behaviour is very bad. Margaret Higman, letter to parents It started with complaints. Someone was stealing from the rooms of some of the mission workers at Tende. Sometimes it was money andContinue reading “32. Trouble in Mendi Mission School 1962”
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31. Education in Mendi, 1962
I have had the feeling for a long time that we are spending too much time and energy on schoolwork and not enough on spiritual work and pastoral work. John Rees April 1961 The annual report of the Methodist Highlands District told one story about education. Perhaps it was true for education in Tari. InContinue reading “31. Education in Mendi, 1962”
30. The church begins to grow in 1962
The year has seen a remarkable increase in the number of our people coming forward to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. This is due largely to the witness and personal evangelism of the converts themselves… sometimes we are perplexed by what may happen if the number increases very much faster. Highlands DistrictContinue reading “30. The church begins to grow in 1962”
29. Moving to Tende and other changes, 1962
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”
27. First baptisms, 1961
‘This was the day. It was the climax of months of preparation by many people and the fulfillment of years of work by others.’ Joyce Rosser, writing of the first baptisms at the Methodist Church in Tari, 1961. ‘The preaching has led to no hasty decisions of belief in God, but rather to a gradualContinue reading “27. First baptisms, 1961”
25. New work at Nipa, 1959-60
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”
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”
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”
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.”
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”