Paupua New Guinea

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Paupua New Guinea

(College Enterance)

10th December

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Having just returned from Papua New Guinea, we felt that it was about time we shared with you some of what the Lord has been doing.

First and foremost, we are most thankful for the way we experienced the Lord’s closeness and personal involvement during these weeks, He has been so wonderfully good to us in more ways than we can say.

Health wise, it would appear that in the recovery from the months of treatment, our trip to Papua N.G. may have been a little premature, as there was still considerable weakness, etc., and the challenges which we were to face were very draining at times, but the Lord gave grace day by day, and exactly as He promised His grace was sufficient for the day.

(In the Classroom)

Initially it appeared as though our involvement would be limited to. for Graeme, teaching the three classes, and an occasional service. For Nesta, some limited work with the ladies and the children.

(sewing class)

As we observed and prayerfully evaluated the situation, it became all too clear that the spiritual tone here was at a low ebb, and there were a number of problems that kept recurring that accentuated this situation. Soon after arrival, Graeme was asked if he would preach as series on Revival, but then that request was withdrawn, so Graeme asked if he could do more services with the specific focus on revival, and especially the Holy Spirit and Holiness. This was agreed to and 12 services were set aside for this purpose, scattered over the nine weeks. Almost as soon as these began the Holy Spirit’s presence was obvious in a marked way in these services

And, health problems developed, increased pain, many sleepless nights because of the pain, and it reached the point where it appears that Graeme would have to discontinue both teaching and preaching. But at that point the Lord confirmed to both of us that this was not a physical problem, but spiritual attacks focusing on the messenger. Also, there were increased problems among the students, and again these were identified as spiritual attacks. In both cases, prayer proved to be a powerful and sufficient answer, and the ministry of the Word continued unhindered.

(Local Church)

It was soon after that that we had to stand in awe and wonder at what the Lord began to do, and gladly give Him all glory. Beginning on Thursday Nov. 7, at the College chapel service which was scheduled to last one hour, went for two and a half hours as the Holy Spirit came on us in a very special way. The message the Lord laid on our hearts was the 8th in the series on the Holy Spirit and holiness - the Holy Spirit's presence had been very real in the lead up services, and when the challenge to respond was given on Thursday 7, all of the men students immediately came and knelt at the front in prayer, the only women students not responding were not in the chapel at the time the challenge was made. It was a time of spontaneous and urgent prayer as they poured out their hearts to the Lord, many praying aloud in open confession as they cried out to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was present in a very special way, evidenced by the fact that following the prayer there was a time of personal sharing, and at least half of the students, men and women, spoke, confessing sin, making public apology (this in a culture where doing such a thing is regarded as a great public shame to the person confessing and apologizing), and many tears being shed. What an incredibly glorious day the Lord gave us, and all praise and glory belongs to him.

(Interior of Local Church, Men sit on the left, Women and Children sit on the Right)

Then, the spiritual forces of evil hit back in what could have been a most devastating way. Within two days we were told that a paid group of hit-men were specifically targeting the campus with the intention of killing several of the students, this was "pay back" for the killing of three men from a rival tribal group in a fight that took place, during the recent elections here, in the Southern Highlands Province (we are in the Western Highlands Province). Those who were on the hit list here at the campus had nothing to do with that fight, but may have had relatives who may have been involved. Two of our men were on the top of the list, at least three others were further down that list. (This kind of "pay-back" has been going on in other parts of the country and people are being killed, the two groups from the Southern Highlands Province had already attempted to settle scores in an all-out armed battle, but the police heard of what was planned and stepped in to stop the fight. Then one of the groups decided that students from that area who are here at the college were quite vulnerable and this is why they were marked to be killed instead).

This was a very real test of the work the Lord had done on the Thursday in the lives of these students. Living here with them on campus we personally shared with them, watching their responses and reactions, talking personally with them, being able to evaluate what was going on in their minds; and the evidence was unmistakable - they were all standing firm, their faith was strong in the Lord. On the Sunday all of the students who had assignments in bush Churches faithfully fulfilled these responsibilities. Almost without exception all of the students identified these developments as an attack by the spiritual forces of evil seeking to reverse all that God had just made so real in their lives, and they refused to let the enemy gain such a victory. Since that time the evidence has remained as strong as ever that this has been a vital work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these precious people, everything about them gives clear testimony to that fact.

(Children of the students, and the one Mum wanted to claim as a grandchild)

God has heard our prayers, the police intervention here came before any real damage could be done, and with the main leader being ordered by the police to return to his village and report to the police in the Southern Highlands and thus things here have calmed down.

In all this we gladly acknowledge that all the praise goes to the Lord, and we thankfully acknowledge your love and prayers.

(Graduating students - and some of the wives in "Mary Blouses" made with Nesta)

As we send this letter out we are safely back in Churchill, rejoicing in the Lord and in all that He has done and is doing. Again, thank you so much for your love and prayers

Graeme & Nesta


	Granest Publications Site Index Newsletter Paupua New Guinea (College Enterance) 10th December Dear Friends and Loved Ones, Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Having just returned from Papua New Guinea, we felt that it was about time we shared with you some of what the Lord has been doing. First and foremost, we are most thankful for the way we experienced the Lord’s closeness and personal involvement during these weeks, He has been so wonderfully good to us in more ways than we can say. Health wise, it would appear that in the recovery from the months of treatment, our trip to Papua N.G. may have been a little premature, as there was still considerable weakness, etc., and the challenges which we were to face were very draining at times, but the Lord gave grace day by day, and exactly as He promised His grace was sufficient for the day. (In the Classroom) Initially it appeared as though our involvement would be limited to. for Graeme, teaching the three classes, and an occasional service. For Nesta, some limited work with the ladies and the children. (sewing class) As we observed and prayerfully evaluated the situation, it became all too clear that the spiritual tone here was at a low ebb, and there were a number of problems that kept recurring that accentuated this situation. Soon after arrival, Graeme was asked if he would preach as series on Revival, but then that request was withdrawn, so Graeme asked if he could do more services with the specific focus on revival, and especially the Holy Spirit and Holiness. This was agreed to and 12 services were set aside for this purpose, scattered over the nine weeks. Almost as soon as these began the Holy Spirit’s presence was obvious in a marked way in these services And, health problems developed, increased pain, many sleepless nights because of the pain, and it reached the point where it appears that Graeme would have to discontinue both teaching and preaching. But at that point the Lord confirmed to both of us that this was not a physical problem, but spiritual attacks focusing on the messenger. Also, there were increased problems among the students, and again these were identified as spiritual attacks. In both cases, prayer proved to be a powerful and sufficient answer, and the ministry of the Word continued unhindered. (Local Church) It was soon after that that we had to stand in awe and wonder at what the Lord began to do, and gladly give Him all glory. Beginning on Thursday Nov. 7, at the College chapel service which was scheduled to last one hour, went for two and a half hours as the Holy Spirit came on us in a very special way. The message the Lord laid on our hearts was the 8th in the series on the Holy Spirit and holiness - the Holy Spirit's presence had been very real in the lead up services, and when the challenge to respond was given on Thursday 7, all of the men students immediately came and knelt at the front in prayer, the only women students not responding were not in the chapel at the time the challenge was made. It was a time of spontaneous and urgent prayer as they poured out their hearts to the Lord, many praying aloud in open confession as they cried out to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was present in a very special way, evidenced by the fact that following the prayer there was a time of personal sharing, and at least half of the students, men and women, spoke, confessing sin, making public apology (this in a culture where doing such a thing is regarded as a great public shame to the person confessing and apologizing), and many tears being shed. What an incredibly glorious day the Lord gave us, and all praise and glory belongs to him. (Interior of Local Church, Men sit on the left, Women and Children sit on the Right) Then, the spiritual forces of evil hit back in what could have been a most devastating way. Within two days we were told that a paid group of hit-men were specifically targeting the campus with the intention of killing several of the students, this was "pay back" for the killing of three men from a rival tribal group in a fight that took place, during the recent elections here, in the Southern Highlands Province (we are in the Western Highlands Province). Those who were on the hit list here at the campus had nothing to do with that fight, but may have had relatives who may have been involved. Two of our men were on the top of the list, at least three others were further down that list. (This kind of "pay-back" has been going on in other parts of the country and people are being killed, the two groups from the Southern Highlands Province had already attempted to settle scores in an all-out armed battle, but the police heard of what was planned and stepped in to stop the fight. Then one of the groups decided that students from that area who are here at the college were quite vulnerable and this is why they were marked to be killed instead). This was a very real test of the work the Lord had done on the Thursday in the lives of these students. Living here with them on campus we personally shared with them, watching their responses and reactions, talking personally with them, being able to evaluate what was going on in their minds; and the evidence was unmistakable - they were all standing firm, their faith was strong in the Lord. On the Sunday all of the students who had assignments in bush Churches faithfully fulfilled these responsibilities. Almost without exception all of the students identified these developments as an attack by the spiritual forces of evil seeking to reverse all that God had just made so real in their lives, and they refused to let the enemy gain such a victory. Since that time the evidence has remained as strong as ever that this has been a vital work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these precious people, everything about them gives clear testimony to that fact. (Children of the students, and the one Mum wanted to claim as a grandchild) God has heard our prayers, the police intervention here came before any real damage could be done, and with the main leader being ordered by the police to return to his village and report to the police in the Southern Highlands and thus things here have calmed down. In all this we gladly acknowledge that all the praise goes to the Lord, and we thankfully acknowledge your love and prayers. (Graduating students - and some of the wives in "Mary Blouses" made with Nesta) As we send this letter out we are safely back in Churchill, rejoicing in the Lord and in all that He has done and is doing. Again, thank you so much for your love and prayers Graeme & Nesta Back to Top