Journal of Pacific Adventist History Volume 9 Number 1 December 2010 ISSN 1445 3096 Journal of Pacific Adventist An important media perspective History needs strengthening Also known as Pacific Adventist Heritage Year after year Adventist church papers have A chronicled the mission of the church in the Pacific Statement of Mission .S eventt t-iWY Islands. Vivid descriptions portraying island life Journal of Pacific Adventist History serves histori­ A dventist centering on people and events, absorbed the read­ ans, members and others interested in the mis­ CHURCH er’s attention. Some were so well acquainted with sion of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the expatriates in certain locations, they closely the South Pacific Islands. It focuses on people identified with all that unfolded in the written accounts. Occasionally dia­ and events involved in the establishment and grams, graphs and pictures, added lustre and provided enrichment. Efforts development of the church in preparation for of all to convey the ‘good news’ from overseas neighbouring countries have the event of the ages—the Second Coming of been, and still are, well received and appreciated. Christ. Most written accounts originated from expatriate males, eager to share their experiences. Some were provided by itinerant leaders serving in higher * Editor and Publisher levels of administative and departmental areas. Bylines by a small number of David Hay women, mostly single employees and wives of expatriates, appeared occa­ sionally. * Editorial Assistants By comparison, however, the contribution of our island nationals, even Kathy Brady Lester Devine today is light on. How many know of the providential way the Adventist Daphne Halliday Don Halliday biblical message entered the Tenabuti area on the north-eastern side of the Lester Hawkes Cecily Hay island of Guadalcanal, as well as the names of the people involved? Or of the Russell Kranz Allan Lindsay faithful witness of the people of Choiseul who built up the church on the David Potter James Rabe southern end of the island? Are the locations of of the medical clinics and aid Arnold Reye Lyndon Schick posts known, often isolated places where loving service brings health, heal­ Beryl Stocken Sydney Stocken ing and hope? Shirley Tarburton Martin Ward Raymond Wilkinson Olga Ward Our national peoples know the culture, customs, and the political and religious atmosphere of their lands. Their ears and eyes are attuned to the * Layout and Text sights and sounds of local details: they know the people, their names, their Cecily Hay service, and they know how God used, and is still using villagers, to establish His message among them. Their perspective is extremely important. They * Advisor are in the best position to inform, enlighten and share. Barry Oliver While the occasional interview written up by a specialist, or several para­ graphs sent in for editing, or the preparation of a tape or a disk for transcrip­ * Volume 9, Number 1, 2010 tion, do play a part, it is the islander’s presentation from mind and heart in tune with God’s accomplishments through His servants that is needed— * Suggestions for topics and titles for further his or her account of miracles, gospel advances, of joys and sorrows of God’s articles are welcome presence in the land. As English as a second language is far more widespread among Advent­ * Address all correspondence including changes ist islanders today, one important task, seemingly overdue, remains — train­ of address to the editor ing in journalistic skills and public relations to better convey the mission of 1 Ebony Drive, Hamlyn Terrace, NSW 2259 the church through Adventist periodicals and newsletters, and to local me­ Australia dia outlets involving radio, television and newspapers. Telephone and Fax National: (02) 4392 0000 The church, the community and the world need to be better informed. International: 61 2 4392 0000 Email: hayjournal@ bigpond.com The Editor Available on line at: www. adventist .org.au.jp ah * Published twice yearly or yearly * Printed by WHO Presentation Services, Newcastle, NSW Australia. * The Journal is issued free. Donations to assist with publishing and postage are welcome. * Reviewing and editing articles takes time, patience, skill and experience. The editor gratefully acknowledges the excellent and painstaking contribution made by the volun­ teers. * The pictures on the cover: Jugha. He took the gospel to Choiseul. His second baptismal class. Pastor Lawrence Tanabose at the ground breaking ceremony for the new development at Ghoghombe 2 Contents c \ Articles !o *Î i\YK t 4 Ghoghombe carefuh planning bead to the establ i shment of a firm base for the growth of the Adventist message on Choiseub MV Durua La w r e n c e Ta n a b o s e 7V; 8 Out of Darkness into God's wonderful Light aCthough kindness p a v e d the w ay fo r an A dventist schoob at Tenabuti, the mission station was moved to other areas Ma r t in Losi 12 Adopt a Clinic weakenedclinics of ‘bife’ strengthened by adoption Dr Ch e s t e r Ku m a Colin Winch & friend Five Years in the Sepik—part 3 16 startbing experi­ " Kämet Is. FA ences, strange customs a n d unusuab happenings .Manu h w/*. q j -• s».* Aua ■ ' Admlr*W Ro y Ald r id g e Wuvuiu * Manus Lotcngau im" ->> > r. J' 20 Aviation in the Western Pacific— 1970-1977 ■H. Mi I Bismarck providentiabcare in extensive stormy weather to obtain ** 5, - Mariam * urgent medicab treatment to save a bife * m Co l in W in c h Position of the isolated island of 27 The Isolated Western Islands of PNG perse­ Wuvulu verance brings the Adventist message to a remote isband Dr Aa r o n Lo pa Avondale College NSW Funding Priorities for Adventist Education in 33 Australia 33 the South Pacific “the church pays an enormous amount of money to keep its educational ^programme Fulton operating”—indeed miCCions College Viti Levu Dr Ba r r y Hill & Mr s Ta m m y Pa n n e k o e k Two of the many institutions 37 Puni and Vau a courageous change in direction brings supported by the SPD a new Cife a n d chaCCenges Pu ni Ra e a 2 Editorial an importantperspective needs strengthening 26 The editor is listening DavidHay 39 Life Sketches 39 Photo Credits Nathan & Mary Rore 3 Ghoghombe — land identified for God's kingdom La w r e n c e Pita A partial history of the establish­ “On behalf of the Chief and the land Tanabose ment of the Seventh-day Adventist owners, I would like to welcome the Sev­ Church on the Island of Choiseul: 1921 enth-day Adventist Church Leaders and representatives and each one of you, who T uesday, 18 D ecem ber 2007, marks an­ have come to witness this ground break­ other significant part of the history of the Sev­ ing ceremony. We, Tanito family (legal care­ enth-day Adventist Church on the Island of takers of the Ghoghombe land) have Choiseul (commonly known as Lauru). It is given these five hectares of land to the one of the bigger islands within the chain of Seventh-day Adventist Church for the de­ Islands known as the Solomon Islands. On its velopment of God’s plan. south-eastern shores, nestled within the bay, We are so glad to help with this develop­ and protected by clusters of beautiful and ro­ ment as it will be a great help to our future mantic little islands, is Ghoghombe, the site generations. So as of today, the 18th De­ Lawrence Tanabose, a of the first Seventh-day Adventist village. cember 2007, we now hand over to the Solomon Islander, was Pastor Jugha was the first national Sev­ Seventh-day Adventist Church of Solo­ born of missionary mon Islands this piece of land. parents in PNG on 20 enth-day Adventist missionary that landed and February 1953. established the presence of Christianity We promise that we will further consider Currently he is the amongst the heathen tribes there in 1921. A any future request for extra land as the General Secretary of development expands. To conclude, we the South Pacific past cholera epidemic had left a quarter of the Division of SDAs--the Ghoghombe inhabitants dead including Amy, will work together in partnership with the first Pacific Islander to the daughter of Australian missionaries, Pas­ Seventh-day Adventist Church on devel­ be appointed as an tor David and Mabel Gray. The survivors de­ oping this site in the near future. officer. May our Almighty God help us to work He gained a broad serted the village and resettled along the south­ education culminating ern coast of the island where they had permis­ together hand in hand for the betterment in a Diploma in sion to relocate. Ghoghombe was allowed to of the development of our future genera­ Administration and a tions. So once again, to all of you — the Master of Arts in return to its natural forest. Theology (Avon Col). At the amalgamation of the three Solo­ Seventh-day Adventist Church representa­ He brings to his mon Islands Missions (Eastern Solomon Mis­ tives who are here with us, ladies and gen­ position a wide work sion, Malaita Mission, and Western Solomon tlemen, thank you very much. experience in the service of the church- Mission) in 2006, the newly formed Solomon Bible lecturer, pastor, Islands Mission was organized intoten regional Why Ghoghombe, one may ask? field evangelist, districts. Choiseul Island was one of the ten Ghoghombe had been the landing loca­ departmental director, newly formed regions. tion for the Seventh-day Adventist Church on admin.