Vol 1 Number 2 December 2001 ISSN 1445-3096 2 Journal of Pacific Editorial Adventist History LESSONS & INSPIRATION FROM THE PAST Statement of Mission Journal of Pacific Adventist History serves Israel’s birth, expansion, deliverance and their ultimate historians, members and others interested in the settlement in the Promised Land make for fascinating reading mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in in scripture. Their history has been preserved for the benefit the South Pacific Islands. It focuses on people and events involved in the establishment and of the generations that were to follow. Such record serves development of the church in preparation for the 1. As a lesson book for those on a similar pilgrimage and event of the ages—the Second Coming of 2. To inspire faith and confidence in God’s leading and Christ. ability to accomplish His plans and purpose. Israel’s prosperity and faithfulness depended on them • Editor and Publisher keeping fresh in their minds and the minds of their children David Hay the way God had provided for and led them throughout their • Editorial Assistants journey to the land of Canaan. They were repeatedly Kathryn Brady Lester Devine admonished, “see that ye forget not”. Cecily Hay Ursula Hedges Similarly, it is important that the story of our pioneers and Laurence Gilmore David Potter those who have laboured in the heat of the day in the islands James Rabe Arnold Reye of the Pacific be preserved and told. Succeeding generations Sherrill Robinson Yvonne Sutton Lyndon Schick John Silver should know that the tremendous growth and expansion that KuresaTaga’i Shirley Tarburton we are privileged to witness did not happen without sacrifice Gaynor Tarrant Brian Townend and vision. The harvest that we see is the result of the gospel Raymond Wilkinson seed that was sown by men and women who went because they were called, who served because they saw it an honour • Layout and Text to do so, who did not ask how much do we get but rather how Cecily Hay much can we give. • Advisor This Journal fills an important role as through its pages it Barry Oliver endeavours to capture the inspiration of God’s leading in the growth and development of his work in the Island field. • Volume 1, No 2, December 2001 Valuable lessons that have been learned in the school of adversity are recorded to strengthen the faith and confidence • Suggestions for topics and titles for future of those who take time to read this publication. articles are welcome. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall • Address all correspondence including change of address to the editor forget the way the Lord has led us and His teaching in our 1 Ebony Drive Hamlyn Terrace past history. (9 Testimonies p 10) NSW 2259 Australia Telephone Fax Laurie Evans National (02) 4392 0000 (02) 4393 5529 President International 61 2 4392 0000 61 2 4393 5529 South Pacific Division Published twice yearly in June & December Subscription is FREE. Cover Picture: Excited workers, their wives & friends greet the Andrew Stewart aeroplane on its arrival at Laiagam Base in the Enga Province PNG. The editorial assistants and reviewers contribute much to the success of this Journal and we thank them for the experience and expertise they bring to their work. The Mission Hostel for departing & returning missionaries—SPD 3 Contents A rticles 3 A DREAM COME TRUE: Aerial evangelism in Papua New Guinea, 1964-1972 ..................................................................Leonard H Barnard 9 BREAKING NEW GROUND—Part 2: Die Bisiatabu Mission—further attempts at expansion in Papua, PNG ...................................Alfred C Chapman 13 FAOLE: Papuan pioneer in the central area of PNG, 1927-1944..............................................................Lester N Lock 16 PARENTHESIS AND DETOUR: The establishment and development of the College du Pic Vert................................................. John L P Reynaud 20 ESTABLISHING THE FIRST PERMANENT BASE OF OPERA TIONS IN VANUA TU (New Hebrides)—Part 1:...............................Les (C T) Parkinson 26 THE INFLUENCE OF THE INTERNA TIONAL DA TE LINE ON THE PACIFIC SABBATH.................................................................................David E Hay 33 THE STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE: INDIAN ADVENTIST SCHOOLS IN FIJI, 1913-1956..................................................................................................... RamBrij 37 Letters 38 Book Review “Into the Unknown ” by Winsome & Ormond Speck Laurence Gilmore Robert Possingham 39 Life Sketches Samuela Daya Ratulevu 1933—2000 Sam Dick 1915—2001 \ DREAM COME TREE: Aerial evangelism in Papua New Guinea, 1964-1972 Leonard H Barnard lthough rare, good can f sometimes come from the Atragedy of war. In 1942, while servingtion and for missions of mercy. In the in the Australian Army Medical Corps midst of war I discovered and nur­ in Papua New Guinea, I saw first­ tured the dream of becoming a mis­ hand the capabilities of aircraft. Dur­ sionary pilot ing the Japanese drive soutii toward Upon discharge from the army in Australia I learnt to dive into a slit April 1946,1 joined the Hawera Aero trench to avoid murderous enemy Club in New Zealand and com­ bombs. I also accompanied critically menced flying lessons in a trusty Tiger __________________ wounded soldiers from the bitter bat- Moth. Widiin a few weeks I became de of the Kokoda Trail to an evacua­ the proud owner of a pilot’s licence. tion point where they could be flown But this was only the first step toward to Australia for specialist treatment. die realisation of my dream. How did Thus I saw first-hand the use of the one become an Adventist missionary ingenious aeroplane for mass destruc- pilot? I began by sharing my dream widi church leaders. But, due to trage­ dies in other lands where unsuitable Len Barnard be­ planes had been used in church work, I indeed! gan his long service I was advised that it was against Following some weeks in Australia, for the church in 1933. Apartfrom church policy. I crossed die Tasman to visit my home­ attending the NZ I returned to Papua New Guinea land, New Zealand. As usual, I went to Missionary College as a missionary, but for eighteen frus­ visit my former Longburn College mate, in 1937-38, he spent trating years my pilot’s licence burned Mel Wordsworth. Before we even sat 7 years working for a hole in my pocket. While planes down to die evening meal, Mel asked: the Sanitarium from other Christian missions flew “How much more do you need to buy Health Food Co in overhead, I had to wearily trudge NZ arid Australia. your mission plane?” I was able to ad­ From 1942—1946 he muddy mountain trails to carry the vise that £4000 would make the differ­ served with the Aus­ three angels messages to the people of ence between purchasing a new or a tralian Infantry inland New Guinea. In my frustration used plane. Mel assured me that be­ Forces in PNG as a I even became angry with God. But tween his father, a friend and himself param edic. litde did I know that the winds of that difference would be met. My heart He and his wife change were stirring. just leapt with joy. Mavis commenced mission service in In 1963 Pastor O.D.F. With litde effort on my part the 1949 when he was McCutcheon, a friend of some dream became known and shared and appointed superin­ twenty-five years, was appointed the $16,408.75 required to purchase a tendent of Mt Hagen President of the Coral Sea Union Mis­ new Cessna 180 from the United States Hansenide Colony in sion (now Papua New Guinea Union rolled in. This first plane was disman- the Western High­ Mission). We met later that year and I ded, crated and shipped across die Pa­ lands of PNG. Fol­ lowing six years of shared my dream with him. Embold­ cific, then reassembled in Sydney. service there, Len ened by McCutcheon’s obvious inter­ Though not thought possible, the regis­ became director of est, I promised to raise the money to tration letters VH-SDA were requested the Omaura and purchase a plane on condition the un­ and granted by the Civil Aviation De­ Homu districts in the ion would accept it and I would be partment. This enabled our plane to be Eastern Highlands in assigned to fly it. This proposition ap­ easily recognised wherever it flew. 1955. From 1962 till pealed to McCutcheon and being a 1972 he was director I learned a valuable lesson from of the Laiagam Dis­ man of action, he immediately called a this experience. Never run ahead of die trict as well as a pilot quorum of his executive committee Lord or the brethren. Even inspired for the CSUM. and gave me opportunity to present dreams cannot be realised until they His vision & per­ the dream and my accompanying meet God’s timetable. When the time is severance led to the proposition. The committee shared ripe, then the dream will receive God’s setting up of the work McCutcheon’s enthusiasm and voted richest blessing. This providentially pro­ o f aerial evangelism in the South Pacific to support the proposal. vided plane faithfully flew in the ardu­ D ivision. Meanwhile, advocacy in another ous conditions of Papua New Guinea H e spent 12 years part of the world helped persuade the for nearly ten years without one insur­ in pastoral work in General Conference to modify its po­ ance claim. The pilots willingly give the the N N SW C onfer­ sition on the use of aircraft in mission Lord credit for this wonderful record. ence and then re­ work. Elder James Aitken, President Pastor L.C. Naden, dien President tired. During that time he initiated the of the South American Division, per­ of the Soudi Pacific Division, dedicated establishment of the ceived die advantages of aviation in this first mission plane on 27 June 1964.