First international mission trip
This year, in early 2008, six people from HOPE Melbourne: Pastor Mark, Daniel, Haison, Yanyang and Jefferson (all from the city centre) and Rebecca (Frankston) responded to the calling of God by coming together and forming the first PNG mission team. This is the first time in ten years, that there has been an international mission trip. [View more photos]
This fulfilled the prophecy given by world recognised prophet John Jacks that the church will be like an aircraft carrier, sending missionaries to different places to do church planting. As a mission team, these six people came from different cultural backgrounds and nationalities: Australian, Malaysian, Chinese and Vietnamese. They also came from a diverse range of professions with a teacher, a pastor and IT professionals forming part of the group.
Mission trip preparation
With the excitement of this exploratory trip to PNG, the research work began. The information that this team gathered about PNG gave them a greater awareness of the safety and health issues facing them.
A lack of public health facilities means travelling to PNG involved a serious risk of contracting malaria, a serious tropical disease. Also the poverty in the country is accompanied by social instability. PNG is one of the countries that has been classified by Australia as a ‘no go’ country. There were a number of meetings carried out, with the assistance of Mission Coordinator Olivia Loh and the team were guided through the many checklists required to complete the trip and to identify the strength and roles in the team. There were preparations to be made such as: ordering flight tickets, booking accommodation at PNG, transport, food, malaria medication, vaccination before the trip, visas, budgeting of expenses, currency exchange, drama practise, fundraising events, collecting contacts to travel insurance.
Faith Challenging Journey
God has given us the key to PNG through the form of Ben. Although we had some contacts from PNG, they seemed inactive.
To prepare the heart of the whole church for this mission trip, HOPE Melbourne church also organised the first Islanders Sunday service and evangelistic outreach activities like witnessing to Islander students; that’s how they met Ben. He is the father of two wonderful children and his wife is studying at a university in Melbourne. One week before the trip, we still couldn’t reach any of our contacts. Based on the information and the limited details from their inactive contacts, the team managed, to the best of their abilities, to make the first itinerary. They planned to visit the biggest church at Gordon Town, stay with a few families to experience the local culture and lifestyle and visit some of the smaller churches outside of town.
Staying with Missionaries from different countries
It is really a blessing for the team to stay at Mapang missionary home at Boroko, PNG. It was a great experience talking every night over the dinner table with missionaries from different countries. There were some story-telling missionaries, bible translation and people from the Salvation Army in Japan.
“We are not coming to destroy the culture, by telling them what they should and should not do. But we are here to share the word of God and let the spirit work in them”, said Wally, a New Zealander missionary. People are just so passionate about God and gave their lives to serve on the mission field. “During the past 15 years, me and my wife have been living with a tribe, learning their language and translating the bible in their native tongue so that they can understand the Gospel,” said another missionary from the United States.
Sunday Service at Papua New Guinea’s AOG city centre
At first, when the team arrived at the meeting venue, they told the Pastor that they weren’t sure of where they were because they couldn’t see any building with any helpful signage or a big cross to mark the church. “We thought we came to the wrong place and yet we didn’t realise we are so close to the church. God really has a sense of humour.” It turns out that the church venue was just a small shelter with two big rusty containers and a few pieces of aluminium for the roof. The church lost their property due to financial difficulties, hence why the people had been meeting at this place for the past two years. Even with a tight budget, the church prepared three tables of food for the church service that day. Indeed, the team was so blessed because of their generosity.
Believing God had called the team to be there during this time and encourage the church, the team gave a message and a vision to give this church a new direction. We heard good news straight after the service with the church managing to find a new church venue. The spirit of joy and the atmosphere of blessing could be seen on everyone’s face.
Revival of the Prayer Meeting at PNG Parliament
The prayer meeting started in 1999 and it officially stopped during February, 2008. Khamis is one of the worship leaders at the AOG church we visited; he is also working as a reporter at the PNG Parliament. For the first time, the Melbourne Christian team visited Parliament and also:
- The first politician attended the prayer meeting
- Highest attendance for the past 9 years
“We will continue to serve even if there is only one soul available; because every single person is precious in God’s sight, he loves every single one of us”
- Meeting with presidents of student Christian groups from different denominations ( we work with one heart and one spirit and support the programs regardless the different of denomination)
- Open air praise and worship and testimony sharing. (Provision of speakers, microphones, guitars, venue, and event were provided by the university. Additional support came from inter-denomination Christian student ministries)
- One on one outreach with students at the student hostel (A student accepted Christ)
Through the 10 days of the mission trip, the team has been blessed by God. Our report back to the church is that the land is very fertile. People are responsive and open to Christianity and speak fluent English. People are hungry for the word of God.
The people in PNG are poor; suffer with health problems and poverty. The major issue is government corruption in PNG. God’s hand is on PNG and he has his mind on the people there. The country is starting to develop with investment flowing into the country. The mission trip ended successfully with seeds being planted in different parts of the country, establishing connections with key people and the team has gained a greater understanding of the culture and environment of PNG.
For more information about PNG contact
Pastor Mark Rusic
Hope Melbourne, Australia (Website)
Email : markrusic@gmail.com
