PNG - VANUATU NEWSLETTER

MAY - JUNE 2003

The Laymembers Association of Papua New Guinea
P.O. Box 28, Kainantu. E.H.P. PNG

INITIATIAL THOUGHTS

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea." Isaiah 11:11

In heathen Africa. in the Catholic lands of Europe and of South America, in China, in India in the islands of the sea, and in all the dark corners of the earth, God has in reserve a firmament of chosen ones that will yet shine forth amidst the darkness, revealing clearly to an apostate world the transforming power of obedience to His law...'' PK 188,189 (c.1914)

The Truth is soon to triumph gloriously, and all who now choose to be laborers together with God, will triumph with it. The time is short; the night soon cometh when no man can work....

The time is coming when there will be as many converted in a day as the were on the day of Pentecost, after the disciples had received the Holy Spirit....

Almost unconsciously barriers have been erected in strait and narrow way; stones of stumbling have been placed in the path; these will be rolled away. The safeguards which false shepherds have thrown around their flocks will become as nought; thousands will step out into the light, and work to spread the light. Heavenly intelligences will combine with the human agencies. Thus encouraged, the church will indeed arise and shine, throwing all her sanctified energies into contest; thus the design of God is accomplished; the lost pearls are recovered...'' Ev. 692-694

"The message will be carried not so much as by the argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have being presented. The seed has been sown, and it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have being prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side". GC 612 (1911)

Note: -According to the Inspiration, these are the results of Latter Rain and Loud Cry. When I contemplate with simple glance of faith of such inspirations, it use to make me wonder; When will all these become reality.

Do we wait for some divine or miraculous manifestations to arouse us to go out? or to wait for the appropriate or convenient season as to when these things shall happen? But here Ellen G White says; ''Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will never come. There are persons in church who are not converted, and who will not unite in earnest prevailing prayer. We must enter upon the work individually. We must pray more, and talk less.'' 1SM 122 (1887)

FIELD EVANGELISM REPORTS

Reaching Out For The Islands Neighbour.

Solomon Islands Evangelistic Program ( 4th - 7th May, 2003.)

When I flew in from Port Moresby to Honiara with Kevis Harry, Secretary Of Lay Ministry Of Solomon Islands on 2nd May; we had a good weekend fellowship with the faithful members in and around Honiara. Fortunately, we had some laymen who came in from the other island fields with their fruitful reports. Sabbath evening we planned our 4- days evangelistic campaign. And the place was appointed opposite Kukum Conference SDA Church Headquarters in the SDA Fishing village. SDA Conference elder lent his big sound system for the meeting.

As common in any religious dominated village, there was the ''fear of the Jews.'' But when the meeting started on Sunday night, we had big crowd, mostly the non Adventists and Adventists. Some came openly, while some listened from the dark corners. Every night after my message, appeals of warning and rebukes were courageously thundered by brothers Kevis Harry and Gideon Bouro, two active preachers. Message on Signs of the Times, Mark of The Beast, The Judgement and The Three Angels Messages were preached openly. Also the apostasy in Adventism such as ''confessions to flames,'' in which particular church pastor of the Conference SDA Church in Honiara told his members one night to list all their sins on paper. After acknowledgement he prayed over them and burnt them, saying their sins were forgiven. Such strange happenings in the church were being publicly rebuked in the meeting, because that village we were running this evangelistic program was an Adventist village. Many Adventists were aghast to hear of such things within their churches.

The Solomon Island Lay Ministry commented that this meeting was the first of its kind for the Ministry to host such a public open meeting since the Ministry started, and also for such messages to be preached frankly without hesitation. We had good comments from the attendants, mostly Adventists and non Adventists that they were really convinced and blessed by the messages that were preached in the meeting. The Laymen were told to do follow up Bible studies after the meeting.

Two new workers were appointed to be ordained in replacement of Pr. Terry Navo who is partly blind and Pr. Redley Ramsala who is bit down in physical strength because sickness. Lets pray that the Lord will appoint the right workmen to take up the pastoral work there.

Vanuatu Evangelism Reports

Great Evangelistic Meeting (11th - 31st May, 2003)

When I arrived in Port Vila, Vanuatu on the 8th May the Laymen were all busy doing 3 weeks cottage meetings in different places around Port Vila. I arrived there during the final week of those meetings. Pastor Timothy Kaio, Pastor John George and 16 Laymen were all tied up with night meetings, to campaign and prepare them for the big evangelistic meeting.

Prior to starting of the meeting, Laymen Association of Vanuatu made good preparations toward it. They set up the committee as usual, hired the Vanuatu FM Radio team for the whole three weeks, chartered buses, put up posters and banner with the Theme: "Who Shall Be Able To Stand."? etc,.

From what I've heard, the whole meeting expenses costs approximately AU $24,000.00 (2 Million Vatu). The platform/stage was set up in Pango SDA Church ground (Self Support).

God really blessed us with fine weather those 3 weeks. Before the meeting commenced on the night of Sunday 11th, I was asked to open the meeting at 2.00 pm on Radio Vanuatu with the Health Program, "God's Method of Healing." (For the whole nation is suffering from common diseases such as Sugar Diabetes, Elephantitis, Asthma, Breast Cancer etc.) And also I was interviewed of my meetings and subjects to present during my preceding programs. And the first night when the meeting started we had great number of people attended. Mostly people who were convinced thru the past 3 weeks cottage meetings. They came from religious backgrounds such as Presbyterians, Anglicans, Assemblies of God, Catholics, Church of Christ, Pentecostals, Conference SDAs etc. During these weeks people joined in from various works of life. Politicians, doctors and nurses, Army, Policemen, the chiefs and many others.

Many even didn't know where the meeting was staged, so they have to sit around their radios, while those that have no radio flocked into neighbours house to listen to the messages. Bus and taxi drivers had their radios on while running to an fro. Those who were lodging in the big market were also listening to the radio in the building.

First week meetings were on "The History of The Great Controversy." Following week on the Religious & Political history, changing of times and laws and persecutions and down to the period of Protestant Reformation. Final week on the Final Events such as Mark of The Beast, Sunday, Persecution, Ecumenism, Seal of God and the Judgement. First 30 minutes I present the Health and another one and half hour, the Gospel message.

The former President of Republic of Vanuatu (The Head of State)

One night when I mentioned Sept. 8th 2000 Millennium Summit, and how the leaders of the Pacific and other nations signed in with united nation for the globalisation. A man was stirred up, he shouted wildly with his fist in air. The people who were sitting next to him were aroused when they heard this Catholic man shouted . "I did it, and now I know what you mean." He said. This was Jean Marie Leye Lenlcau Manatawai, the Former President of Republic of Vanuatu. He did actually attended the summit and did sign in. A week prior to the meeting, his daughter had a strange dream. She was directed to the place we were running the program. There was a dynamic preacher pounding the powerful messages night after night, and all of a sudden a strong wind came from east and threw the storm of sand into the faces of those who were listening, and it also covered all over Vanuatu.

And when the sand storm dies down, she saw the Bird of Paradise (National emblem of PNG.) sitting on the stage the preacher was preaching. She woke up with bewilderment and related the story to the family, the family were arguing over the identity of this bird.

His father, when currently was the president, Sir Julius Chan ( former Prime Minister of PNG had gifted him with the relic of that Bird Of Paradise. Pointing to it he said. "That is it, it is the Bird of Paradise from PNG you saw. But what is that mean to the preacher you saw.?" It was a day or two later, when a friend told them that there will be a big evangelistic meeting coming up in Pango SDA ground (the spot the dream was shown). When they asked who would be the preacher; they said Pastor.

Harold Peiko, an Evangelist from PNG. The former president and his family were really excited to attend the meeting, all through those weeks. Being convinced from the meeting, the former president, who also is currently the president of all the chiefs of Vanuatu. He called all the chiefs of Port Vila and other islands during second week Wednesday for a special meeting in their 'nagamal' (chiefs house). I was invited in then to take studies with these chiefs according to his request and to encourage them also in their leadership for the people. During the meeting they also presented the problems of their government and the country and their needs and asked me to offer special prayer over them.

The Meeting With Chiefs

The Chairman of the Chiefs, who is the Presbyterian Christian, encouraged me with words of inspiration. "We have heard your challenging message. You are courageous, you preach frankly and straight. You didn't bow down to any power, whether church or state. This is the confident and courage we want to see through our preachers, evangelists, pastors or the government leaders. They have to call the sin or issue or problem by its name. May God bless you in your ministry; And we invite you to come every Wednesday and encourage us, also we welcome you to return to Vanuatu any time." He said.

They also presented me with their souvenirs. Also in other part of Vanuatu, the group of Chiefs were gathered in their 'nagamals.' They were also convinced too. They sent message for one of us to come and have Bible studies, so Pr. Timothy Kaio and Pr. John George visited them.

The first appeal for the last week, we had 42 people up on the front, and the Laymen and pastors took their names for Bible studies. Following night, 28 people, and 20 people the third. After all the appeals we made through the final week, we got more than 150 people who stood up for the Lord.

During days the Laymen Trainings were conducted, they were taught The Church History, The Sanctuary Message, Evangelism and Art of Preaching and Health. Afternoons they were free to do follow up studies with new interests.

On Sabbath's appeal after the challenging message "Press Together, Press Together, Press Together." The church members and the leaders stepped forward with tears with hand in hand. Differences were put aside among them to unite in bond of His Spirit. And 52 members were baptised that day.

Another tens took their stand at the end of the line for another baptism. Two Catholic and Presbyterian chiefs were converted when one of their daughter and son were baptised. Many Conference SDA church members and backsliders repented and returned to the fold with some of our backslidden members.

Also 18 Laymen who attended the one month Laymen Training school were graduated a week later with certificates. This Laymen Training was the first of its kind for the Vanuatu Indigenous Lay Members Association. The following Sabbath they were posted to various Laymen Churches and preached powerful sermons as commented by the members.

After The Big Evangelistic Meeting.

After the meeting we heard good public comments about the meeting. The Adventists and also the people of Vanuatu said that this was the biggest meeting ever hosted with wider influence than any SDA or non SDA meetings ever hosted. The people insisted that I must come back next year and host another bigger one than this in the public open field in Port Vila. The 2 chiefs who came up from New Caledonia were also converted through few days Bible studies in the Guest House they shared with me. One was the Conference SDA elder and the Organising Committee of Religious Gatherings or Meetings etc, the other was the Presbyterian Christian. They also asked me to come down next year when they organise one big evangelistic meeting.

After meeting some Conference SDA workers came and saw us and ask us if they can corporate with us in organising another big meetings. Following 4 Sundays I continued to do Health Programs on radio for the whole nation.

Straight after finishing the evangelistic programs and training sessions, I was stricken down with stress and malaria from 7 weeks restless and continuous series of meeting from Rabaul and Lae in PNG, to Solomon Islands and to Vanuatu. Some of the lay people insisted me to call off the meetings and return home to PNG and have a nice rest, because they saw me being stressed and worn. I told them that, I made my covenant since 1985, when the Lord called me and anointed me to serve Him. I told Him that I wouldn't be happy if He let me die a natural death. But I'd rather die while preaching than with sickness or accident. That is my main driving force that keeps me alive and am preaching for the Lord. Also the rain begins to fall, and windy and cold weather begun.

On 14th June we had another wonderful baptism again at the same meeting place. Seven souls were baptised totalling up to 59 souls. Some are still being followed up with Bible studies. They will be looking forward to another baptism in September Camp. Because of the great work there in Vanuatu they also have requested to have another two workers more to be ordained.

Island Visits

On 18th June, I flew out to Ambrym Island. The meeting was being prepared the previous week, but my sick delayed the meeting. The meeting was prepared in the village of the overall island chief, who is ruler of other 10-15 chiefs on the island. He is the Presbyterian chief. Within 2 nights and 3 days I have to squizzed in 7 topics. During the day the Laymembers and SDA Conference backslidders attended the meetings. And the last 2 nights and final morning meetings, the big crowd flocked in to hear such messages for their first time. The overall chief of the island came over and shook his hand with me 3 times during the meeting. And he said, he had never heard such message through his lifetime. He begged me to promised him that I will come again. He promised to organise a big meeting for whole island in 2 places. I promised Him if God wills, that I might come again.

After morning meeting I was rushed to the airport and flew back to Port Vila. Same afternoon I flew out again to Santo Island, visited Bro. Arnold Masengnalo who was being operated and was in the hospital, prayed and shared with him for 2 hours. That night I took 2 studies in the SDA Laymembers town church. Next morning visited Arnold again and took another 2 meetings at 11.00 am and was rushed back to airport. I returned back to Port Vila on Friday afternoon. That afternoon took meeting in Sorovango Church.

Next Sabbath in I took meetings in Simpolo Church. And performed 2 marriages that week. And again I was invited by the chiefs in one of the villages on Tuesday night run another meeting. And on 26th July I flew out to Brisbane.

CONCLUSION.

The wonderful experiences and highlights were shared with God's people in the islands. I was well satisfied with the total presentations of 50 sermons, 28 Health Seminars, 5 Bible Studies and 43 workshop sessions for Laymen Training and 2 marriages performed. And also total of 59 souls were baptised in 2 baptisms that I conducted. You will really know what it means to be a full time worker in the Lord's vineyard. You will hardly have your leave during the time when the harvest is ripe and ready to be gathered in. Let us not wait till the harvest is past. Those who are hanging around doing nothing, the Lord is calling you. When you have no reservations or bookings in your life, the Lord will use you to the fullest.

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature," is Christ's command to His followers. Not all are called to be ministers or missionaries in the ordinary sense of the term; but all may be workers with Him in giving the "glad tidings"to their fellow men. To all, great or small, learned or ignorant, old or young, the command is given. Upon everyone who knows the truth for this time rests the responsibility of making it known to others. The servants of Christ are in a large measure responsible for the well-being and the salvation of the world. They are to be the co-laborers with God in the work of winning souls to Christ.(Ed. 234; RH Mar.10, 1905.)

" It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (8T 23,24)

Thank you for your supports in any means, whether financially, or with literatures or with prayers and tears. They are not wasted, but there is reward for us. May we continue to support each other with whatever means we can preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you all.

Note: If any willing to support me in my evangelism, I have 2 specific needs; 1. The Slide Projector (latest model); 2. Lap top computer. (Both secondhand or new. Also Money can be accepted to buy one too, if cannot find those items).

Reports by Pastor Harold S Peiko, National Evangelist, PNG.

John and Dianne Wolff

P. O. Box 103

Glasshouse Mts

Australia 4518

Ph. (0) 7 5494 6547

Fx. (0) 7 5439 0020

johnw@caloundra.net