MISSION TIDINGS

GIFTS RECEIVED FOR MISSIONS IN DECEMBER 1976

CLASSIS EAST SOURCE AMOUNT

Psalter Recordings Gift 100.00

Friend of Clifton Gift 200.00

CLASSIS MIDWEST

Friend in Chicago Hts. Gift 100.00

In Kalamazoo Ch. Col. Gift 10.00

Friend in G.R. Gift 50.00

In G.R. Ch. Col. Gift 255.00

Friend in Michigan Gift 125.00

Friend in Chicago Hts. Gift 100.00

CLASSIS WEST

Friend in Tucker Ga. Gift 100.00

Sioux Center Mission Sale Gift 4060.00

Friend in Waupun Gift 300.00

Friend in Salisbury Md. Gift 50.00

CLASSIS FAR WEST

Linden Mission Sale Gift 2000.00

Lethbridge Mission Sale Gift 2000.00

Chilliwack Mission Sale Gift 3827.75

Friend in Manhatten Mont. Gift 200.00

Artesia Ch. Col. Collection 248.00

Edmonton Ch. Col. Collection 358.25

TOTAL: $14,084.00

Dear Friends,

Again we especially want to thank everyone for your generous support for Missions in the month of December. We appreciate very much the many efforts of our Ladies Aid, who bring up so much money, but not less appreciated are the smaller collections and personal gifts. The Lord bless all of you and your gifts and that it may redound to the honor and glory of God. Here-with we may be priviledged to close the records for 1976. Again we may say the Lord has helped us through another year. Although some of our mission members have been very sick and Mary VanMolenbroek was in a serious plane accident, it has pleased the Lord to spare all of them in the past year. Although we can realize there are many hardships, Thomas Boston said there is a crook in every lot. We can realize this on the mission fields, but also at home, that it is a true saying that every home has its cross. May we be given to learn that we have brought these crosses into the world. May it please the Lord to sanctify it to our never-dying souls.

American General Mission Fund

Netherland Reformed Congregations

of United States and Canada

John Spaans, Treasurer

Plankinton Box 17 RR3

South Dakota 57368

MISSION DEPUTIES OF HOLLAND VISIT WEST IRIAN

Part II

Saturday, May 22

We were allowed to have a meeting with the Bible school boys. We talked about: “I will work and who shall let it?” After that, we had discussions about the extension of the work to be done at Langda. Without the people from Pass Valley this is impossible. In the opening of new areas and the development of such an area, their support and advice is most valuable. Their experience is priceless in this mission work. They give well considered advice. How wonderfully the Lord works to enlarge His Kingdom. The people in Pass Valley may become a leaven for the whole valley. On Saturday afternoon we had another meeting with the team. The Bible school boys were planning to present a gift to “Pendita” from Balanda. Therefore they had slaughtered a pig. The price of a pig is the equivalent of a car. For these people it is a real sacrifice. For these people, nothing is too much for the service of the Lord. One of the Bible school boys, Thomas, gave an address at this occasion. He pointed out that they in the past had lived in darkness and in sin. But it has pleased the Lord to bring His word to Pass Valley. He spoke about the power of the Word, through the Holy Ghost, and that therefore they could humble themselves, and now they could live only out of grace. This highly talented boy fears the Lord and has, with others, through his conduct of life, received an important place from the Lord.

After all this, we were allowed to have Censura Morum. We must hold Censura Morum because the Lord is a God of order. It became a blessed meeting. You must imagine a meeting of people, gathered in a wooden building built of rough planks, a place where the Lord, only very recently, has brought His Word. This is a place where people came together from various parts of Holland. Far from family and friends, but bound through the bands of God’s Word. There they may experience the presence of the Lord, but also the seriousness of this moment. The Lord did great things, therefore we are glad. The service started Saturday night at 8:00. In this worship service we were allowed to hold a preparatory sermon for the Lord’s Supper. The words of the text we spoke on were from Revelation 1:5, “The official service of the risen Christ.” The Lord gave opening and testimony. Till 11:00 we were allowed to be together and speak about the ways of the Lord.

Sunday, May 23

In the early hours of the morning we already saw several different people going to the small church. Before the service a few Bible school boys read a portion from God’s Word. The congregation then repeats the text. This is done by the singing of a melody. In their former days they used this method to communicate with each other.

The service started at 8:00 a.m. Rev. Vreugdenhil opened the service with the votum, blessing and prayer in the Jali language. It has astonished me, that our people in such a short time, could learn and speak this language.

The text Thomas spoke about was from Acts 2:14. He speaks in such a way that he compels you to be filled with respect. They understand the message, death and life, curse and blessing. The singing is as we are familiar with in Holland. They sing with reverence and some Bible school boys lead them in these songs.

After this, I spoke out of Matthew 11:28. Rev. Kuijt translated my sermon. My thoughts went back to the time I was a student in Rotterdam. Together we studied for a year at the theological school. And there, we stood together on a simple pulpit, side by side in a wooden church in the Pass Valley jungle. All around us were seated hundreds of Jali’s. With great concentration they foliowed the spoken words. In moments like that many thoughts come into your heart and cannot be expressed. Above all, the experience that the Lord will set His footsteps there humbles and astonishes the heart.

After that, Rev. Vreugdenhil closed the service in the usual way. An historical event took place on Sunday afternoon. The Lord’s Supper was going to be administered. This was going to take place with our own people. The serving elder was Rev. Vreugdenhil and he prayed for us before the service. Of course, our thoughts were many. As a boy, Rev. Vreugdenhil had been in my catechism class in Dirksland. We have seen the way of the Lord in his youth. I may believe that I have been a means in the Lord’s hand. Here we are standing together before the face of the Lord in this heathen land. Who can fathom God’s wisdom? There we were allowed to preach the Word of God out of The Song of Solomon, chapter 1:4. Heaven came down that afternoon and the Lord was in our hearts. There we experienced that if you receive, you can also give to others. In Pass Valley the Lord has been good for us.

Sunday evening we held a post-communion service. The preaching was from Matthew 28:20. A special promise of Zion’s King. Rev. Kuijt was serving elder for this service. We talked till late at night about the glad tidings of the Lord and the fruits of it in our lives. After we sang Psalm 68:2, we closed the day with prayer. The eternity will reveal that God is a God of miracles.

Monday, May 24

The alarm clock woke us up at 5:00 a.m. We had to arise early because of all the preparation we had to make for this day. Besides all the labours that are performed, we also must write a report about all the happenings that take place. We recorded all the happenings on Saturday and Sunday in the study room of Mr. H. Looyen. At 7:30 a.m. a small airplane would bring us from Pass Valley to the post in Landikma. Rev. Vreugdenhil and his family are working at this post. Nurse Mary VanMolenbroek works in the clinic and performs other duties. The distance between Pass Valley and Landikma is only about a half hour, but if you go on foot over the land it will take you about a day. The Bible school boys that study at the school in Landikma are leaving their home very early on Monday. Towards evening you see them coming out of the jungle. They stay until Friday and walk all the way back so they can instruct the people in the different villages in the area. At 8:00 a.m. we arrived in Landikma. Many were there to greet us. First we went with Rev. Vreugdenhil to look at the grave where his baby was buried. For man it is a struggle upon this earth but we noticed that the Lord, in a very special way, sustained and made them submissive before the fulfillment of His Holy Counsel. The faith that the Lord has put a good work into this child was as a balm on the wound.

The Bible school was visited first. We brought the greetings from Holland after Rev. Vreugdenhil had opened for the lessons. One of the Bible school boys closed with prayer. At the Bible school we also met Mr. Kokpan of whom much has been written in the past. Next we visited the clinic where Nurse VanMolenbroek had immediately started her work. She has three boys as helpers. The helpers have had a special training for this work. At the clinic we find a large group of people waiting for medical attention. If it is necessary that someone must stay in the clinic, there is room available for this. To care for these patients is a special task.

The church was visited last that morning. This church was built from local materials and is in good condition. In the afternoon we walked to the baptismal pond. The road is not a paved road. You become very tired of walking at all the stations. The pathways are narrow and you are going up and down hill. This time the trip went through a small river. In order to cross the river you must walk over stones and some times you must jump and try not to land in the water. On our way back to the station we met the war chief of Landikma n.1. Meptambuk. With him we had a conversation about his wonderful conversion to God. He was the first one who was convinced through the Holy Ghost about sin, righteousness, and judgement. He told us in a simple way how the Lord has led him. He told us how the Holy Ghost had revealed to him his hostile existence before God, how he had walked on the broad way to destruction and the manner in which the narrow path to eternal life was explained, in which way he now may walk. When I told him that we all live as enemies and that we must be changed from enemies to friends, he asked me whether the Lord had conquered my heart in the same manner. He could not believe that there was one person as he was. When we told him some things abut that, he was crying as a small child.

In Pass Valley we met Liok, the war chief, and in Landikma, Meptambuk. A few years ago they were at war with each other and practiced cannibalism. Now they may bow together before the victorious Word of God.

In the evening we first spent some time in the study of Rev. Vreugdenhil. There we spoke about the educational schedules and we saw the methods of education. Here we also saw the preparation of the Bible school boys for the task that is waiting for them in the edification of their own congregation. I wish that our future elders and deacons could be prepared in the same manner as they receive it here. Here the congregation does not vote between two, but here we see young people through their confession and conduct attract attention and now they are being prepared before they receive a task in the congregation. The instruction is given at two levels. The Lord gave us much there. The evening we spent together to speak about the ways of the Lord and we have seen there the necessity of pastoral guidance. It was good to be together like this. It has been an unforgettable day.

Tuesday, May 25

One of the most important missions still had to be done. The post “NIPSAN” had to be visited. If you hear the name “NIPSAN”, then you know that we are speaking about the post that a few years ago was the scene of a massacre, and that it has been burned down completely. A helicopter was made available by the M.A.F. The helicopter was only stationed a short time at Sentani and had to be flown in. There is a special task waiting for the helicopters in Irian. On Monday, the helicopter had flown to Pass Valley and now arrived in Landikma at 7:40 with Rev. Kuijt and the pilot, Jeff Heritage, aboard. We departed at 8:00 to fly to Nipsan. First we flew to Apalipsilli, a mission post from the G.K.I. We arrived there at 8:30 and while we were on the ground our plane was being refueled. In that time a plane arrived with pilot Ed Robinson aboard. A few minutes later another plane arrived with Mr. Dennis Stuessi as pilot who is also the head of the M.A.F. It never happens that three airplanes are landed at a post at the same time. Soon we found out what the reason was. The total flight plan from the M.A.F. was changed for that day on account of the flight to Nipsan. The whole operation was under the personal direction of Mr. Stuessi. In Apalipsilli we were informed about the plan. The very dangerous conditions were discussed, and what could happen, and how in case of danger, relief would be called for and sent there. Rev. Kuijt and myself were going to fly with the helicopter. Mr. Stuessi and Ed Robinson were going to follow in a Cessna 180. Due to the fact that not much experience had as yet been gained in flying a helicopter in this area, and the possibility that the hostility at the landing strip could be in full force, and if the helicopter was damaged, relief would be sent immediately; a plan was formed of how to fly out of the Nipsan area. In case they also had a misfortune at the landing area, then a way to escape would not be available any more. It would mean to die in Nipsan. In any event, I wanted to do this visitation. I had a feeling that this mission had to be fulfilled. Standing under the wing of this small airplane, we prayed together. Then I felt the intercession from the Great Highpriest in my heart. At that place the heavens opened and we experienced that the Lord made His tender presence richly known unto us.

We left Apalipsilli at 8:50 and the Cessna 180 escorted us. It was 9:50 when we were flying over Nipsan. With the helicopter we could fly very low and we were able to see several villages from close by. The people were terrified and made an attempt to flee. In every village we made a dropping and we watched for the results. In some places they started to look immediately and at other places they stayed in hiding till we were gone. At one village we were fired upon. After that we flew down to the former post and landed at the remains of the house of Rev. Kuijt. Everything was totally destroyed and completely burned down. It was an impressive event to stand at a place where once the message of the gospel was brought but also the place where the first martyrs fell for the services of the Kingdom of God. We also landed at other places and no hostilities took place against us. I believe that the Lord was our shield. May the Lord, the Mighty God of Jacob, open the door for us and also in Nipsan let the Sun of Righteousness arise.

Prepared for everything, it was a touching and moving sight to see the plane of Dennis and Ed circle above us. After the last landing we turned back to Apalipsilli. Under the wing of the airplane we thanked the Lord, surrounded by hundreds of people. A cry of distress had been heard through the whole valley that morning to save us. May the Lord do wonders! We have talked to the pilots under the wing of the airplane, about the ways of the Lord. There we have experienced “I believe in the communion of saints.” We arrived back in Landikma at 12:30 and a large crowd was waiting for us. There we talked about our visit. There also was a praying people. We stood on a large bolder, surrounded by many! Sabonwarek, one of the Bible school boys, thanked the Lord that we came back in safety. The remainder of the day was used for visiting other areas at the post. At Rev. Vreugdenhil’s house we talked till late at night about the wondrous ways of the Lord. Many conversations could be told. It may give you an impression about the extent, but also about the blessed labour of the mission in Irian Jaya. On Wednesday, May 26, we had to go to Pass Valley and then with Rev. Kuijt to depart to Jakarta where we had to make some more visits. We spoke there with various people who are very closely connected with our mission work.

I will mention one more incident. Before we said good-bye to Landikma we had plans to present a gift to the war chief of Landikma in the form of a white shirt. For those people that is a valuable gift. It would be presented early in the morning. Many came to see and hear. There we spoke about the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness. The true people of God will sit with this man at the round table. With sadness in our hearts, we had to say farewell to Rev. and Mrs. Vreugdenhil and their children. We also had to say farewell to Miss VanMolenbroek. How good the Lord has been to us. From there we went to Pass Valley to pick up Rev. Kuijt. Again we had to say farewell to the others. Mr. and Mrs. Looyen and their small boy “Flipje”. We had already said our farewells to the Louwerse family and also to the other on the post. It was a difficult farewell. But we had to move on because other meetings were waiting for us in Holland. At that time we did not know it would take a week to arrive in Amsterdam. The Lord directed our way. From this place I will greet and thank all my good friends in Irian Jaya for their many tokens of love and friendship. The Lord remember us together in His riches out of His covenant. May the Lord remember the work being done among the heathens.

P.S. We have just received a message that there has been an airplane accident at our mission post in Landikma. Nurse VanMolenbroek was injured and has been admitted to the hospital. The small airplane is a total loss. Probably the recent earthquake has had an effect on the condition of the landing strip at the post.

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