This was the start of my 38th trip into Papua New Guinea and I was to visit two new places where the Church has been growing at a remarkable pace.
In the Southern Highlands of PNG, a place called Nipa, approx a 5 hour drive from Mount Hagen, was to be our first stop on this most enjoyable visit. The Nipa Assembly got started because a man whose name is Kole was healed by the Power of God and because of that miracle, approx 18 months ago built an assembly hall and asked for help to get the Gospel out to the community.
In the middle of May 2010, over 3,000 people gathered in the marketplace to hear the gospel being preached. The end result was a new hall opening and 38 people baptised and Spirit filled.
My traveling companion was Kerry Daley from Coffs Harbour, his 2nd trip into the country. We then moved onto Mount Hagen where fellowship and leadership meetings were conducted. Preparations had also been made for us to travel into a remote area of the Madang Province called Simbai Station.
A work had begun a few years back in villages surrounding Simbai Station. Many miracles were happening in the area and numbers increased, and an invitation was sent for me to attend and conduct a leadership training meeting. In a small plane we took off from Mt Hagen and after 20mins flying (or 4 days of walking), we arrived at Simbai on a small grass airstrip nestled between 2 mountain ranges. From the air it looked like a great place to visit, and on the ground it turned out to be one on the most exciting welcomes I have ever received in Papua New Guinea. Over 200 of the saints from the area had gathered at the airstrip to say hello and welcome us to this place. Many of the townsfolk also came out to see what was happening.
After fellowship and a marketplace outreach, 10 people were baptised and received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
Our next place of call was Lae, the 2nd major town in PNG. Here we had fellowship, outreaching and a leadership meeting plus more baptisms. Lae is to be one of the venues for the Youth National Rally in 2011.
Port Moresby was our last port of call before flying back to Australia. It is always nice to finish a trip by visiting the saints in the capital, where 2 more people were baptised. This brings a total of 53 people who have heard the word and acted upon it - may their walk in the Lord be a prosperous one as they learn to put their trust in the Lord.
I have had many trips to PNG, and this has to be one that is right up there with the best.
Darcy Ryan
Our welcome to Nipa
First baptisms in Nipa
More baptisms in Nipa
A lady's home
Mount Hagen combined meeting
Our small plane to Simbai Station
Baptisms in Simbai Station
Band at baptisms - look where they are standing
The boys had to eat
A new convert is spoken to after baptism
Kerry and Mary bringing an item at outreach - Simbai
Our welcome to Lae
Keeping in touch with Australia
Some of the children from Port Moresby
