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Eastern Highlands Fundraising DayFebruary 14th, 2009Uploaded: 17 March 2009
February was yet another “first” for the Papua New Guinea church. For it was in February 2009 that the PNG church embarked down a new path which they had not trodden before. Our theme for our last National Conference was “It’s time to go forward”, and this theme has set the mindset for the church. This is how the locals explained it to me: For many years they have relied on the Missionaries to financially establish the church; the Headquarters and Training Centre have both been provided by overseas donors. But now with the financial crisis gripping the western nations of the world, it is becoming plainly obvious that if PNG is to establish anything, it must come from the efforts of the citizens of Papua New Guinea. And the need here is great. The biggest need is Bible School, and the large work here needs a large training centre and programme. What they currently have is a blessing, but not nearly enough to cater for the huge need of Bible School that is weighing upon the church. Everything to do with Bible School has been a major battle here, and this confirms to us that it is the area where we need to concentrate our efforts. Even though the church was begun in 1973, it was only in 2005 that we got a hall to conduct Bible School in. And even now, until the Grations return from Deputation in late 2009, we are too badly under-manpowered to even conduct classes.
But the church in PNG wants that to change. They want to build buildings. They want to build a Missionary Home. They even want to fundraise for Missionary expenses, to allow more people to come here for the sake of Bible School. The Eastern Highlands Presbyter, Michael Awagl, led the way in the planning and organising for the Eastern Highlands Fundraising Day. Truly God has placed this in his heart, because we missionaries never mentioned a thing. He came to see us on his own according, overflowing with a burden to see the PNG church itself contribute towards the Bible School, National running expenses, and even towards Missionary expenses. We nominated February 14th to be the Eastern Highlands Fundraising Day. Bro. Michael asked each church member to contribute $5 each towards building a new Missionary Home at the Bible School, to give a residence for Bro & Sis Gration when they return from Deputation. Also, there would be a fundraising lunch, with donations accepted, and church members and friends from all over town invited to come. PNG is not a wealthy country; only 5% of the population have paid jobs, and 2/5ths of the population earn less than US$2 per day. It is pitiful to see people trying to earn money in the markets; they can sit there all day in the hot sun to earn maybe US$4. Many working at paid jobs get only US$5 per day. Often they will buy a packet of nails from a hardware store, or pens from a stationery shop, then sell them individually or in bundles of five pieces, earning a few cents profit with each sale. Expenses are much higher than you would expect for such an income level.
The local churches around the Bible School in Section 2 each contributed $150 toward food expenses, along with vegetables and garden produce. This was to buy food for the fundraising lunch. Needless to say expectations were high on February 14th. It was the first time to try such a fundraising venture. Many people had no sleep at all on the Friday Night in order to prepare everything. About 500 people gathered at the Bible School at lunchtime; about half of these were non-church members. We had a grand feast, a spread of all varieties of food. There was a box at the front door in which people tossed donations toward the Missionary Home and Bible School Complex. In all, the Eastern Highlands Region raised $7850 toward the project on this day. This result stirred a lot of emotions, and the people are very excited about such a good response and outcome for the day. They are anticipating more and greater results in the future. This is a good amount, but only a small portion of what we will ultimately need. We intend to have more fundraisers over the next few months towards this project, and this time involve the whole country. The church in PNG is determined to see this project to fruition, and we would like to invite you to help us in this cause. We have marked June 14th 2009 as an “International PNG Offering Day”, and are excited about the vision that the church here has developed in the last few months. Please pray that we can rise to the challenge of the great work that God has placed before us. - Richard Carver Jnr
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Latest News  - 09 February 2010
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Prayer Requests Ongoing request - Pray for churches in outlying islands and areas of the country. Ongoing request - Pray for ease of operations as the Bible School enters its development phase. We NeedNeed 1 -
Assist us with our needs AnnouncementsOctober - The Peter Gration family have completed their fundraising in the USA and are on their return journey to PNG. We thank the Lord and those that have supported them. It will be wonderful for PNG to have another missionary family again. October - The Richard Carver jnr. family have also returned to PNG after the birth of our grandaughter, Hannah born in July. |
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