Caravan rescue

Posted on February 19, 2012 by matt Leave a comment

Last month our Cessna Caravan overnighted in Mendi, in the Southern Highlands due to a suspicious noise possibly coming from the engine. That night two Engineers were planned to go out the next morning to inspect and rectify if necessary, to bring the aircraft back to Hagen. One of the guys meant to go was unable to go last minute, so I was asked to go to assist Larry. In a rush I grabbed tools that we might need and we flew to Mendi.

Nosed into the hangar

On arrival we met up with Phillip the pilot and aircraft, to debrief about what had happened. Following this a decision was made for what action to take, which would be a bit of work, especially getting access to some areas of the engine. It was getting hot in the sun and thankfully another operator was more than happy for us to nose into their hangar, which made the world of difference in the end. We spent the morning working hard carrying out different inspections on the engine, unable to find anything wrong or suspicious. We knew the engine was serviceable with nothing wrong and with it all back together, we did an engine ground run around 1400. I got to carry out the engine run after completing my taxi training course that same week. We were able to find a small noise at the instrument panel and knew that the plane was fine to fly. So we flew back to Hagen from Mendi to continue troubleshooting the problem, arriving mid afternoon. In the end locating the noise created by a component in the vacuum system for instrumentation, which was replaced.

Engine going back together

For me it was a good experience, getting to fly out to fix an aircraft for the first time (even though it was not a true bush place). I learnt a lot from the experience and enjoy working with Larry, whom I have a huge amount of respect for with his many years of experience and knowledge. On arrival to Mendi I was not sure if we would get back to Hagen or spend the night in Mendi. So it was a blessing to make it to Hagen that afternoon and to get back to Kudjip that evening. It is not everyday that I get to travel to three provinces for work.

MAF, Matt & Becky

Dec – Jan Newsletter

Posted on February 14, 2012 by matt Leave a comment

BFO January NewsletterHere is our latest newsletter, please click here to view or download. There is a lot going on for us at the moment. Thank you for your support, please keep praying for us.

Blog, Matt & Becky

BFO’s Dec – Jan Newsletter

Posted on February 10, 2012 by matt Leave a comment

BFO Dec-Jan NewsletterPlease find linked Bible Faith Outreach’s new newsletter for December and January. Click here to view or download. Read a great story about reconciliation because of Jesus.

Please also find praise and prayer points for BFO. Keep praying for the kids at BFO, Aunty Rosa and Uncle Jiwa. If you are interested in supporting an Orphan or a specific need at BFO, please check out Orphanlist.org.

Bible Faith Outreach, Blog

Daily commute

Posted on February 5, 2012 by matt Leave a comment

Last year in August on our way to MAF’s 60th celebration, traveling from Kudjip our Landcruiser overheated. This resulted from the head gasket breaking due to age, leading to the car overheating. I had no time to fix this before our wedding and delegated this appropriately. On our arrival back from our honeymoon in late November, the car still had not been fixed. So this lead to me catching a PMV each day from Kudjip to work each day, roughly 37km’s one way and a four kina fare (A$1.50).

PMV - Waghi Dam at Kudjip road junction

In the morning I walk down from the mission station to the road junction where you catch a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle). Majority of the PMV’s that people catch to/from Kudjip go via a route from Mt Hagen to Banz. Normally it is not too hard to get one in the morning, but just depends on when one turns up and how quickly it fills up before leaving for town (especially if it is raining). Thankfully there is one that is owned by a national staff member at the hospital called, Waghi Dam. This is the one I normally get in the morning. If we leave no later than 0645 I can make it to work on time. No matter what PMV I get, thankfully they drop me off at the airport market which saves me a 1.5km’s walk from the highway.

Riding in comfort with new friends

You may wonder what it is like to catch a PMV. I am not sure how to explain it, but will try to share from what I have experienced. Firstly, they are public motor vehicle’s, but are privately owned and operated. They are run by a driver and a boskru, who is in a way is like an attendant. PMV’s are dirty inside, with buai spit stains on the windows, they are cramped for someone like me. Normally by the time I get off, my legs have gone numb and it’s hard to walk. The highway in places has huge potholes and sometimes the suspension is not the best. People chew and spit buai while riding a PMV, the smell of buai can be strong. People smoke as well, and at times even drink alcohol. I have had a few experiences having drunks on board. There can be livestock on board too, mainly chickens, haven’t experienced a pig yet. I have joked about making cologne called PMV, that mixes together all the essential smells of a PMV. Another thing too is that they can be stuffy and warm inside (I think sometimes it is an incubator for sickness), as most Highlanders hate the cold and want the windows closed, so there is little ventilation. Music is played too which can range from PNG music or top forty rubbish. How I could forget, PMV driver’s are in a class of their own. They are sometimes sensible, most are too confident and others are insane. It is normal for a driver to be doing up 120 km/h on a highway with a speed limit of 75 km/h. So I have to be careful which PMV I get, but I have learned which ones are okay and which ones are not. Sometimes though, I don’t have a choice or do not know. I am not sure how else to explain it, you just have to experience it.

Accident we passed in Kiam

In the afternoon’s it is a different story, I have to get one of the MAF buses back into town (the opposite direction for 10 km’s). Getting dropped off at Hagen’s main market, there is a PMV stop. From here you can get a PMV to Banz. Normally after 1700 I can get onto a PMV, but it varies each day which one is there. Also it can vary how long it takes to fill up the PMV with people. The trip back is longer than in the morning and I normally getting off at Kudjip around 1800 and at the house 1815. The longest it took one time to get home was two hours.

Mt Hagen market PMV stop

Catching a PMV each day is not my preferred mode of transport, at times it has been frustrating. When I have been able to drive our Landcruiser, it is a real blessing, saving an hour and a half on traveling on average each day. On return I PMVed for three weeks before having the car back and then the second week of January started PMVing again as the car required parts from Australia. It has been hard to work on the car when it is located at work and I have little time to work on it, but thankfully it should be finished tomorrow! I am grateful for God’s safety and protection as I have commuted these past months. While riding a PMV, it has allowed me to have a quiet time, read or talk to people. Despite the difficulty and being “over it” at times, I have been reminded that it is a ministry opportunity. From this I have been grateful for the people I have met and the things I have learned more about PNG culture. My daily commute interstate each day has been challenging at times, but reassuring because of our call to be at Kudjip during this season.

Blog, Matt & Becky

Oregon photos

Posted on February 4, 2012 by matt Leave a comment
Oregon photos
Oregon photos

Photos of our one week in Oregon with friends and family. It was busy, but a special time.

122 Photos

Blog, Matt & Becky

Opung – a Christmas miracle

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Becky 1 Comment

A few days before Christmas, I was called to the ER to see a patient. I arrive to find a man of about twenty five in a coma on the bed with about three family members around him. I take a quick history and did my physical, he looked horrible. He was making that terrible labored breathing sound, his eyes were fixed and his pupils dilated. He wasn’t responding even to pain. I told the family that I wasn’t sure what was wrong with him but that his chances of survival were very small. I told them that I would do my best: check blood work, give IV fluids and antibiotics, but that I would pray. So we did. We prayed that God would spare Opung, and that he would show his power in doing this. They said he was a Christian, but I still didn’t want him to die, he was too young. The blood work showed that he had malaria and some liver failure.

Opung with cerebral malaria and liver disease

The next two days I continued to tell the family the same thing. “Well, he is still comatose, but we have him on medication. I don’t think it will be enough but we will pray.” So we prayed again, for wisdom and strength, and for his healing. On Christmas Eve, I walked in to do my rounds. When I got to his bed, I asked if there was any change. His mom replied, “He has been talking to me”. Wow, I thought, that is a good sign. So I reached down, touched his arm, and called his name, “Opung”. Immediately he opened his eyes and groggily said, “moning dokta”. I was taken aback! He was alive! I was thrilled to see him responding, but I was still a bit uncertain.

Opung miracle patient with his Mom

The next morning, he was awake and smiling at me as I arrived to check on him. Now I was starting to believe. I told his family that he was a true miracle and that God had given them a wonderful Christmas present this year. Not only had Christ come to earth to save us, but he had given Opung a second chance at life! I marveled at the sight of him as he got up and walked around. What an amazing God we serve. One who is able to bring people back from the brink of death and give them new life. Even more than that, he is able to bring eternal life to those who believe in Him!

Blog, Kudjip Nazarene Hospital

Sydney reception

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Becky Leave a comment

Our visit in Sydney was even quicker than Oregon, five days. We met up with Matt’s parents and Nan that first night and saw a few friends. It was also special to meet Pastor Ayling and family, who hosted us.

with family at Sydney reception

The next day still with jet lag we prepped for our reception. Amy you are the best. It looked really lovely. That night we shared another joyful celebration with Matt’s close friends, family and church family. It was so great to meet them all. I shared my side of the story there, and even sang Matt a love song. (I held it together but barely!).

two mates with their wives

The next two days we caught up with some more friends. Friday came quickly and it was already Katie’s wedding. Matt’s younger sister married her long time boyfriend, Alex. They chose a beautiful location on the water at a yacht club. It was so sweet and simple. The blues of the maid of honor dress, flowers, lanterns, and water mixed perfectly. There I was able to meet the rest of Matt’s family. It was really great to have that opportunity. It was especially wonderful to see how happy Katie and Alex were, what a great couple!

with Katie & Alex

We sadly left to head back to PNG the next day. But we were excited to see all that God had for us as we returned to our field of service as man and wife.

Blog, Matt & Becky

Drugs for Jesus

Posted on January 29, 2012 by matt 1 Comment

On New Years Eve Becky and I returned from town with our friends the Ballins, after spending the night in Mt Hagen. We were surprised to find the road leading into Kudjip station blocked by vehicles and men dancing in circles and waving some form of plant. It took us a little while to realise it was marijuana, a lot of it. This was a result of a revival amongst communities behind station, some of which had been involved in a men’s bible study ran by missionary and friend Mike Chapman. Please find Quinton’s story of what God has been doing amongst these men below:

“A day I will remember for the rest of my life, Saturday December 31, 2011. The missionaries Uncle Mike and Aunt Diane Chapman came to our door at around 10:30, inviting us to go with them to visit a revival that has been taking place in the churches of the village up behind the mission station. By the time we reached the village, I knew this was no ordinary revival.

Convoy of vehicles lined with men and marijuana

This was the day the drugbois* had chosen. It was today when they would publicly renounce their drugs. As we approached the village, men were constantly coming up to us saying that they had tried every way to stop the drug use that was so prevalent. They had tried heavy police involvement, to no avail. “Christ really is the only answer, there is no other explanation for what you are seeing today,” one elder in the village said.

Piling two trucks high with marijuana, and an additional eighty men each carrying a large bundle of marijuana plants, they commenced a three to four kilometer march from the village, through the rot bung* to a designated field where a platform had been constructed. During the march, one man started singing in the local language of Jiwaka. This soon caught on, and every person was yelling at the top of his lungs. “Jisas Chrais na wirosimba!” “Jesus Christ has called me!”

In talking with one of the men in the truck I was in, I found out this was the first time anything like this has ever taken place, this was completely unprecedented, for as far back as any histories went. The local market place was full, with hundreds of people witnessing the work of the Holy Spirit, moving among these men.

Parade of men renouncing drugs

Coming to the final field, the men circled around and laid, in front of the platform, and a crowd of witnesses, the very thing they had been holding on to so fervently. There wasn’t a look of hesitation on anyone’s countenance. This was what they had said they were going to do, this is what God had told them to do, and there was no turning back now. God didn’t miss this opportunity to teach this missionary kid a lesson in the midst of all the happenings around him. What am I holding on to, what is God putting His finger on in my life, and saying, “This needs to go. Lay it down. It’s going to be ok, turn to me, and find all the comfort you will ever need.”

*drugbois: Tok Pisin = drug addict
*Rot bung: Tok Pisin = where the major roads of the area converge, usually containing some small shops and roadside stands.

Story by Quinton Schmelzenbach
Photos by Andy & Judy Bennett – Bennett’s Blog

Blog, Kudjip Nazarene Hospital

Oregon reception photos

Posted on January 28, 2012 by matt Leave a comment

Here are the photos from our Oregon reception. Thank you to those who came and shared a special evening of celebration with us. Thank you for your love and support.

Oregon reception
Oregon reception

Photos from our Oregon reception in Albany on the 8/11/11

35 Photos

Blog, Matt & Becky

Oregon reception

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Becky Leave a comment

Following our time in Hawaii, we flew onto Oregon. In Oregon we had a whirlwind of activity.  We arrived late Saturday and went to church Sunday morning.  Later that day, we met up with Lisa, my sister, and Julie, along with 15 of our immediate family at the coast.  We even went to the tide pools and lighthouse.  It was a lovely day there but freezing compared to the perfect Maui weather. That night we had dinner with my Dad, Debi and Will.

Family at the tide pools

Monday we prepped for the reception.  It was amazing to see the Family Center transform from a gym to a banquet hall.  (thanks Teresa and team!). Monday night we got to catch up with my good friend from medical school Tamara.

Prayer of dedication

Tuesday we had fun getting ready again for ceremony #2.  We even had an aisle to have our family walk in on.  What a wonderful evening.  It was so special to “show off” Matt to all of my close friends and church family.  They absolutely adored him and loved hearing his testimony, how we met, and what we are planning in the future.

Silver Creek Falls

Wednesday we recovered a bit and went to another favourite place of mine, Silver Creek Falls.  My friends Rose and Scott joined us.  What a stunning place with 177ft falls.  We had a nice hike.  On Thursday we went to Salem, the State Capitol with Rose and Scott.  So Matt and them got a mini tour of the capitol.   It has a beautiful rotunda and is all marble.

Farewell lunch

Friday we went to the Veteran’s Day parade and spent some time with family and friends. Saturday we headed out again after a great lunch with my cousins and Aunt and Uncle at Mom’s house.  It was nearly a Thanksgiving feast she prepared for us, thanks!  We flew safely and much more comfortably back to Sydney. Our time in Oregon was a crazy, but a very special time being with our friends and family.

Blog, Matt & Becky