Report on PNG Missions Trip – NHI Conference & Building the toilet block – Wapenamanda PNG – Kevin & Rosalie Bell

During the Easter break Rosalie and Kevin Bell with their parents Stan and Lilian Wheatman visited Wapenamanda in the Enga Province of PNG to finish the construction of a toilet and  shower block in the local Primary School as well as complete Series 1 training of ‘The Introduction to Christian Teaching’.

After some difficulties actually getting into Wapenamanda which included the plane not being able to land in Mt Hagen and having to return to Port Moresby due to low cloud and also some anxious moments driving through a ‘tribal fighting zone’ the team finally arrived safe and sound.

The NHI  conference ran over 3 days and was a great blessing to approximately 50 staff from the local Primary and High School. Some vocational staff also joined in the training. Due to the tribal conflict the power lines had been cut and we operated through a 5 day power blackout, fortunately we had a back up generator which allowed us to use our data projector and laptops for the conference. Also we were able to run the power tools as well to work on the construction of the toilet block (which was completed in 9 days!).

So to the sound of cement mixers and drills etc downstairs we ran the conference in the upstairs library. It was a perfect illustration to the staff as we emphasised that quality Christian education involved not only academics but also the practical ministries of providing safe clean drinking water and a hygienic environment for students to learn in. We were actually addressing one of the United Nations millennial goals in the building of a toilet block for girls so they would feel safe and be more likely to continue their education – very practical but a real problem to be addressed in PNG. This was funded by the Australian High Commission who invited us to give a report at a ‘high tea’ luncheon on our way back through Port Moresby.

The team had opportunity to minister in 3 local churches in the Sunday services. Several deaths had occurred just before we had arrived due to sickness, some probably AIDS related which is a growing problem in the Highlands and we were able to provide comfort and hope to people who desperately needed it at this time. Kevin enjoyed hiking up to a mountain village to preach in the Sunday service and as is usual in this area was greeted as the first ‘white man’ to visit the village – amazing that in 2012 this is the case, just 4 hours flight from Sydney.

It was a great joy to complete the conference and the building project as this will improve living standards as well as educational standards. It had its share of frustrations to contend with but the battle was won, all thanks and praise to our Lord and Saviour Jesus.