MISSION TIDINGS

GIFTS RECEIVED FOR MISSIONS IN JULY, 1977

CLASSIS EAST SOURCE AMOUNT

Clifton Pentecost Collection $656.15

Franklin Lakes Sunday

School Collection 567.00

Franklin Lakes Mission

Books 150.00

CLASSIS MIDWEST

St. Catharines Mission

Boxes 300.20

St. Catharines Calendars

and Misc. 295.00

Friend in Michigan Gift 250.00

In G.R. Ch. Col. Gift 477.00

Friend in So. Holland Gift 20.00

Kalamazoo Mission Books 750.00

CLASSIS WEST

Friend in Sheboygan Gift 100.00

Corsica Mission Books 15.00

Sioux Center Mission

Books 255.00

CLASSIS FAR WEST

Lethbridge Pentecost Collection 1155.59

TOTAL: $4990.94

Dear Friends,

Again it is time to acknowledge the gifts received in support of the mission work. May the Lord bless you and your gifts. We are glad to inform all the friends that Mr. Warmenhoven, who has been bothered with a kidney stone, and has suffered much pain and serveral times was in and out of the hospital, that by the Lord’s great goodness did pass this kidney stone without pain and without going to the hospital. He has been quite depressed because of the kidney stone for quite some time. We know Satan has much to say at times, and death can appear to come so close under the attacks of Satan. Then we have to die without hope even though we have been given times that we had a good hope through the blood of the Lamb. When he passed the stone, then he was so glad and humble under the Lord’s goodness, that he called us to let us know about it, and we were very glad with him. May the Lord receive all the honor. That the Lord may be pleased to bless the simple means also in Baldwin.

I hope there is yet a people who are not looking to criticize what the mission board or the mission labourers do, but who may go in their inner chamber and beg the Lord that He will bless His Word on our various mission stations. Meta Moerdyk feels much better since her illness.

We would like to make a special announcement that we have a large supply of the mission books of Irian Jaya in the English language. We hope that the congregations and Ladies Aids will cooperate with us to try to dispose of them. They are $5.00 apiece. We expect to have the calendars earlier this year. Consequently, you will be able to order them earlier so we can get them out in time, the Lord willing. We also have a good supply of miscellaneous items such as Bible markers, pencils, ballpoints, etc.

American General Mission Fund

Netherland Reformed Churches of United States and Canada

John Spaans, Treasurer

Plankinton RR3 Box 17

South Dakota 57368

REPORT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MISSION COMMITTEE OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS, HELD ON MARCH 26, 1977

This report is translated out of the Mission magazine “Paulus” of our Congregations in Holland. Nr. 119 June 1977.

The President Rev. H. Rijksen gave a review of the main happenings during the past year.

NIGERIA: IGEDE area

The situation about the salaries has somewhat calmed down. In consultation with the Mission Team, the Deputies have sent an additional sum of money for the year 1976 to Nigeria, only to raise the salaries and bring them to a comparative level with the salaries which are being paid to the Government teachers in Nigeria. The Government was a serious competitor and because of this, there was some friction.

In 1975, a new law was past that all Nigerians could have their education free of charge. Under this system the Government built many new schools. We don’t think too much of these schools, because they are very primitive! To become a teacher, the Government decided that anyone who has an Elementary education could be appointed as a teacher, with the promise if they wanted to, that after a few years of practical experience, they could be eligible for a free study program to become a “Certified Teacher”. Added to that, those teachers would receive a higher salary because the Government, through their oil export, has enough money to support this system.

Also the salaries for employees in Government hospitals were increased considerably. In Nigeria there is a 300% inflation rate, and the Mission also has to go along with this.

It is still difficult to hire good, real Christian teachers, for the Agricultural Bible school and the Orphanage school.

On account of the salary schedule of the Government, various people have left. In order that the helpers would exercise a greater sense of responsibility for the medical mission work, the salaries had to be increased. For our mission nurses, Annie Vreugdenhil and Tanny Tramper, this became a difficult situation. They had to be at all places simultaneously. Their task should be more in the field of supervision, and the training of hospital and clinic personnel.

Concerning the building plans, the developments were very good in 1976. The preliminary work was completed by sending a lengthy documented report to the I.C.CO. (Inter-Denominational Co-Ordinating Committee of Development Projects). This report gave the background information about the manner of living, etc., of the local people, with all the information about the building plans and what we hope to achieve by this for the welfare of the local people in the Igede area. As you know, it is not only the bujilding of a new hospital with two surgery rooms and a new clinic, but it also includes the construction of a dam in the small Ugbogo river, (this to be newly built) and the building of four District Centers which will be on the basis of First-Aid posts. The total budget in the report for this Ikachi-Project came to the sum of fl.2,248,155. 00, (approximately $899,262.00) including a Government subsidy of fl622,658.00 ($249,063.00).

Concerning the Orphanage home: there were also some difficulties to employ the necessary people for the education of the children. Many times nurse Diny Sonneveld had to teach a class and this made an extra burden for nurse Leunie Commelin. Now she has less time to visit the children in the compounds. Just through this outside work the Gospel is brought to the compound inhabitants.

There were about 120 children admitted and the last two years this has been very stationary. The reason for this is, that the last few years most of the children and their supporters could return to the compounds. About 100 children returned to the compounds in 1976 where the relatives would take further care of them.

Although still in the old facilities, the work in the Agricultural Bible-school could continue. In January, 1976, eleven new students applied for entrance to this school, which presented a problem because the new school was not ready for occupancy. At the end of 1976 there were five students in their second year who returned to the villages. One of them went back to the Izi-area. Now these men are going to proclaim the Gospel in their own villages. We are still waiting for the Visa which Ria Baayens applied for. The preparations for all this work has been enormous. The work performance of this Ikachi-project is of great magnitude. Our friend, Mr. Schouwstra, (who is the co-ordinator of our Mission office in Rotterdam) has taken personal charge of this project and gave guidance in all details. Mr. Schouwstra and the architect, Mr. van der Kooy, have visited Nigeria in connection with the building of the hospital. Kenia was their first stop to visit the hospital in Eldoret and after that they visited Lesotho. This tour was made upon the request of the I.C.C.O. The cost of this tour was also paid for by this committee.

NIGERIA - IZI Territory

Here we also were priviledged to see progress, after brother Commelin started there in 1974. In 1976 the new house for the Commelin family was ready to be occupied. This surely was timely because it was only a “Shack” where they lived in. The house for the Moerdyk family was started and also the clinic. Besides this, some small bridges were renewed or improved.

The Izi-territory is very large. For the time being, concentration is on the northern part only. This is the part that abuts on the river Onuanyim. In 1976, a steel rowboat was sent from Holland to be used for the crossing of this river instead of the hollowed out trees, which were used before. The inhabitants have now built four small churches. In Oswanka, a new house for nurse Coby van Rossum will be built. Upon a request from her, the Deputies granted her permission to go permanently to the Izi-territory after she comes back from Nigeria.

In 1976, a new catechism group was started. In the old group there were fifteen students and in the new group there are 20 students. Brother Commelin also started with the training and schooling for Evangelists. Immediately, there was a good interest for this training, n.l. five young people from Onuanyim and three from other places. The people not only show their interest, but also show results of the proclaiming of the Word. This became evident in Onuanyim-Ishieke, where the people asked, after the sermon, what to do during the sacrificial feasts which were coming up. Brother Commelin instructed them that they should not participate in these feasts, but instead, he advised them to come to the church and sing together.

In Izi there are many patients who are epileptic. Nurse van Rossum will try to give more attention to this.

Mr. and Mrs. Moerdyk first spent some time in M.Kar for the last preparations. Meta Moerdyk is active as a relief nurse and is on week-end duties in the hospital. Thomas Moerdyk has now taken over the building responsibilities from brother Commelin and is giving lessons at the Agricultural Bible school. Now it is possible for Br. Commelin to spend more time to do his evangelization work in the villages. With great desire they are looking forward to receive the Visa for the Scheer family.

SOUTH AFRICA

The Mission work in the Bantoe-homeland also continues. There is very little employment and because of this, the people live in great poverty and clothing is always welcome. The Agriculture in the year 1976 was not all that good. In the first few months of that year much land was under water on account of heavy rainfall. In many villages there was no crop at all. This means hunger and poverty. As a direct result of this condition, the Bantoe farmers could not pay off their loan. The Mission Team is considering to stop any further credit, due to the fact that the South African Government also has plans for a credit system through small established co-operatives. Naturally, the Mission Team is willing to supply help with the agricultural farming in the form of machinery and equipment (which are owned by the Mission). Assistance is also offered for the harvesting of the crop. This type of assistance does not involve a great investment. In return, a payment is made in the form of sacks with “Mielies”.

The first church service in the village of Kunana was held in February, 1976. This village is an old Tswane settlement. A church was built in Kopella also and in Madibogo they built a temporary church. The program for 1977 includes churches at Kraaipan and Mareetsane, and if possible, also one at Kunana. In fact, in all these places the catechism classes should be started, but the Mission Team is too busy for all this. They are urgently waiting for the five Bible school students who will, hopefully, be ready in May, 1977 and after that, will serve as evangelists. In 1976 nine students received instructions. They studied the Old and New Testament and two books from Rev. Kersten in Dogmatics. There is always a good response to the church services that are held. The church in Dopella is full every Sunday.

The Mission work under the Bantoes is slowly gaining more ground. Also in church life there is more good order and regularity. The forming of a congregation is declaring itself.

The work of Mrs. Minderhoud at the Ladies circles is also making progress. Every Thursday there is a meeting and at that time they mend, repair, and sew on the sewing machines they received from Holland. She also instructs the women about the science of nutrition and child care. They have started on a very limited scale with the youth work. The intention is to reach the youth between the ages of 16 and 22 years, but it seems that only the girls from 15 to 18 years have an interest in this work. Actually, the Mission Team is too small for all this work. There has been some talk to increase this work but as to how this can be accomplished, they have not found a solution yet. The financial status is also an important part of this, but when the Agricultural grants are reduced, then there could be some money available for this work.

IRIAN - JAYA

First some general information.

The M.A.F. on Irian - Jaya made the headlines a few times. On January 16, an A.M.F. Cessna overshot the landing strip and landed in the middle of the flower garden of Mrs. Louwerse. Emergency repairs had to be made there, so the aircraft could fly to Sentany to have the permanent repairs done there. In May, 1976, they started to use a helicopter in Irian-Jaya for the first time. On Oct. 29 a Cessna crashed at the landing strip at Landikma. As through a wonder, the two pilots, two nurses from the Chr. Ref. Church, and our own nurse Mary Molenbroek did not get killed in this accident. Being injured, they were brought to the hospital in Muria for further observation, and all could return for convalescence to their post.

We also became alarmed by an earthquake. In the night of June 25–26, there was the first strong earthquake, and seven people in the Landikma-Valley lost their lives. On Oct. 29 there was another strong tremor at the same place. On this date, 47 people lost their lives, and at a distance of about 20 Km. from Langda, 39 villages vanished completely under the earth. More than 1000 persons are still missing. There are still some tremors, as it is not completely over as yet.

Most important is, that the translation of the New Testament was completed in the Jali-language. It was possible for Drs. Fahner, the translator, to officially present a copy to the Deputies at the Mission Day Conference.

Mission Post - ABENAHO

At the oldest mission post the work could continue in peace. For the medical treatment of the people, the old clinic building was taken down, and at the same place a new one was built with better facilities. Now Mrs. Looyen can do her work much more efficiently. There were also some admitting areas built. Mr. Looyen is very dissatisfied with the Government teachers. The “Christian” teachers are teaching very little Christian education. He himself is teaching catechism to the grade 5 and 6 students from the Elementary school. At the Bible school, 18 boys are being instructed. They come very faithfully and listen very attentively, but are very slow in doing their homework. It is difficult to change this, because attending this school is their own choice, and in addition to that, they have to work in the gardens.

Once a month, a few young men from the Landikma school go home and lead the church services there and also in the outlying kampongs. According to the reports, there is a definite improvement in their speaking and in the substance of speech.

Mission Post - LANDIKMA

Rev. Vreugdenhil started in April 1976 with the catechism lessons for grades 5 and 6. He prepared the jali translation of the Heidelberger Catechism for these classes. In May 1976, a start was made with advance courses at the Bible school. This “Higher” Bible school is going to be the “Centre” for the education of men and boys for all our Mission posts in Irian-Jaya. Besides the instructions in the Old and New Testament, the following courses are given: Religious Doctrine, Heidelberger Catechism, Ethics, Narrative Skills, Biblical Geography, and the Indonesian Language.

LANGDA

The Langda post, which was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Louwerse in 1973, showed very good developments in 1976. It is notable that the Langda-Valley is opened for the proclaiming of God’s Word.

With the help of the local people, besides the air-strip in Langda, five helicopter landing areas were also constructed. These were very valuable during the time of the earthquakes, to supply the people with food. In most villages (where the people were always hostile against the people from Langda) they are now asking for a permanent Evangelist. In several kampongs there is a church and also a school where the Evangelist can give instructions.

NIPSAN

Concerning the re-opening of the Nipsan post, there is very little to tell about this in 1976. Last year we had to report that the people in Nipsan rejected the food supplies. They let it rot, in spite of the food scarcity. It remains a careful search for possibilities, and the way the people from Nipsan act, is very important. The attention of the Deputies and the Mission Team is continually focused upon Nipsan.

BOMELA

Bomela is the last Mission post opened in the mountainous country of Irian-Jaya. This post was opened by Rev. Kuyt. After the opening of the Langda post in 1973, there was in the second half of 1974 already, a good contact with the Bomela people. This contact came to pass by the Bible school boys from Abenaho, who are stationed at Langda. The distance from point to point is only about 3 Km, but it requires a difficult trip over up and down roads of seven hours, because the Bomela-Valley and the Langda-Valley are separated by a high mountain ridge. From the start, the contacts with the Bomela kampong have been very good. The people from Bomela are good friends with the Langda people. The Bomela people themselves asked for an Evangelist. This is the way that Bomela, via Langda, came in contact with the Gospel. In 1975, we received permission from Bupati to construct an air-strip. In 1976, after permission from the Deputies, the Mission Team decided to make this a permanent post. This was possible because Rev Kuyt could not yet return to the Nipsan post. On July 26, 1976, Mr. Looyen and Rev. Vreugdenhil started with the frame work for the house of the Kuyt family. On August 9, 1976, the Kuyt family arrived by helicopter and Mr. Looyen and Rev. Vreugdenhil returned to their post. About 30 people are attending the church services on Sundays.

So it became evident that the Lord also will use this work. If we see all this labour, then we may say that the Lord gave us a rich assignment. It is a privilege that we may do this work.

General Mission of the Netherlands

Reformed Congregations of United States and Canada,

Clerk: Rev. Wm. Suyker, P.O. Box 40

Rock Valley, IA 51247

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen