We would like to invite you and your family to be a part of the worship services of South West Baptist Church, Seacliff, South Australia.
Here at South West you will find a warm welcome from people that want to make you feel like part of our church family. Please feel free to contact us if there is anyway that our church can minister to you and your family.
We would love to have that chance to meet you this Sunday!
Greetings Brethren – in CHRIST’S mighty name,
Thank you to those who were for praying for the short trip back to Alotau – it was a wonderful time!
Minutes after we landed – the first heavy downpours started, thankfully the plane managed to leave before the runway was a lake! The rain was a constant companion until the last day, when a glorious sunrise bid me farewell.
I was able to settle some land issues (where the Church is presently), and locate the paperwork necessary to start the visa process again. Details were clarified when I met with bro Kapi in Moresby, and we now are waiting for our new sponsor to return from the States so we can get things started officially. ( previous one started in 2009 / 2010 )
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Both bro Hunter, and bro Amos have been battling bouts of malaria. Hunter surviving a knife attack whilst walking up to the hospital for treatment, and Amos now looking skinny, and “wrung out” (his family are down with malaria too) |
Bro Barty has returned with his wife Ilene and children, after being in Popondeta for some years. On Saturday after our discussions for their return to membership, he was able to lead sister Saline’s husband Amos, and his friend to the LORD. This was a particular blessing, as we have witnessed slowly over the years this whole family become a complete unit in the LORD. Much brainstorming also took place concerning the start of Bible School, fruitful methods of evangelization used over the years, and practical logistics of the expanding ministry. This was a very profitable time, and has helped to sharpen our focus as we wrap things up here in Australia.
HOME:
The boat is progressing slowly – encouraging milestones being past daily, praise GOD for strength and especially safety as I usually work alone, and for the knee handling it most days without drama.
Simeon is on a 28 day treatment for Tropical Sprue, with the test results for Lymes due back shortly. Serena is better, with the tests showing things improving and she has returned to “unstoppable”. Chloe has rashes from an allergy to the epoxies she touched when helping on the boat last week. Stephen is moving in with a Godly PNG family here in Brisbane (getting ready for his Uni course). Levi almost broke his arm in the same spot again, but bounced and bruised instead.
A container + shipping, and many practical areas need to be taken care of before we are on the road again - waiting for Visas to be processed (We are due to leave this house in 4 weeks)
What wonderful opportunities surround us!
In CHRIST’S love – Bro Rob for the family – Jn 17:3
Greetings Brethren, in the name of our great GOD and SAVIOUR – JESUS CHRIST;
As our first furlough draws to a close, three questions that have been asked at nearly every meeting, come to mind: 1) how is the boat going? (2) When will it be finished? (3) How will you get it to PNG {Ans = Australia Post!}
But recently the question was raised “why do you even need a boat?” At first I thought it a funny question to ask a Missionary to the islands of Milne Bay, as it seemed obvious! But on further thought, perhaps I have been remiss in communicating the motivation (aside from the LORD) behind this “larger than life” project.
Milne Bay is a Maritime province which covers 252,990 km² of sea, within it there are more than 600 islands, about 160 of which are inhabited. The province has over 230,000 inhabitants, speaking about 48 languages. Culturally the Milne Bay region is sometimes referred to as “the Massim,” a corruption of the name of Misima Island. Massim societies are usually characterized by matrilineal descent, elaborate mortuary sequences and complex systems of ritual exchange including the Kula ring. There is a presence from the main religions, but the majority of people are still lost in sin. The community services available in times past, are now almost non – existent, as the infrastructure is rarely if ever maintained.
Transport between islands, and the mainland (where services and supplies are found) is all run on a local level. Generally it is unreliable, unpredictable, and oftentimes unavailable to those who make a stand for JESUS CHRIST.
Over the years, I have shared the heartache, and disappointments of our Brethren who have no choice but to rely on this inadequate and dangerous transport. Many times our outreach, and Local Church programs have been either disrupted or cancelled because of transport issues.
We have Bible School students and their families to get from the islands to town, we have Preachers, Bibles, and study materials to get to the village Churches, and outreaches. If we are serious in our long term commitment to reaching and training the people of Milne Bay – there is no other choice, we must control our ministry’s transport solutions (just like you do). Again, thank you to those who have had a part in this necessary side of missions, which has occupied so much of our “free time” during furlough – your love, patience, and giving have brought us a long way toward the goal. (see Galatians 6:10)
Points for Prayer and Praise:
In CHRIST’S love
Bro Rob for the Booy family (Jn 17:3)
Your Co-Labourers for souls in Milne Bay Province PNG
