Faithful to the end

TRIBUTE

Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. – Psalms 73:25-26

By DESMOND NARONGOU
AS the rare sunshine shone over the misty Mt Ambua on Thursday morning Dec 3, the silent rusty ringing tone of my phone woke me.
It was a call from Mama Imelda in Port Moresby.
I was expecting some great news on such a morning but it was not so as her voice was cracking with tears as she told me the news of your passing earlier at Gerehu Hospital.
I could not hold back my tears too.
I remembered how close I was to you right to the first moment our paths crossed on Nov 1, 2015.
It was also my first time to fellowship at the Port Moresby assembly of the Revival Centres.
From then I got to know you better and you become my best pastor and a father too.
Ps Jonah, you could not resist to give me a hug every time I met you.
You were the coolest pastor ever!
Everybody loved you. You were meek in character and your humble passion towards the church and your selfless commitment to helping everyone that bumped into you has affected them all.
You were a great teacher, pastor, musician and father. You were such a talented being.
I am so blessed to have spent some of my tenure here on earth with you, learning and working alongside you. You were always wise, meek and gentle.

He was always spending time with the young people and did not miss a church activity.

From Balimo
Ps Jonah Malu hailed from Balimo in Western and had served with the Royal PNG Constabulary from his mid-20s until his retirement. He became a member of the Revival Centres Church in 1991 when he got baptised and was filled with the Holy Ghost in Port Moresby.
He was one of the pioneers of the church that established the Port Moresby assembly.
Through his preaching many were able to come to know God’s plan and purpose for mankind through the receiving of the Holy Ghost in their lives.
His soft character and cool composure in every situation is what made everyone love him.
He never spoke with a harsh tone at any one time.
He always counselled with wisdom and compassion.
He was a great advocate for reading and research to the members.
He reads, buys books and so was his encouragement to his congregation and the young ones.
He was always spending time with the young people and did not miss a church activity.
His favourite encouragement always was: “Stand strong, you are the future leaders of the church.”
Ps Jonah has been a defender of truth and advocated for God’s righteousness until the time of his passing.
He was a loyal servant of the Lord who always had the heart for all church members and everyone, no matter who they were.
That’s what made him unique. I call him the favorite pastor.
Ps Jonah was finally laid to rest on Dec 11, 2020 at 9-Mile cemetery, outside Port Moresby.
He is survived by his son and his three daughters and grandchildren. His wife passed away six years ago.
On behalf of the church and the family, we would like to extend our special thank you to everyone who contributed in one way or another to his haus krai and funeral arrangements.

Faithful servant
Ps Jonah, you have fought the good fight as a true soldier of Christ and a warrior of truth, and there awaits you a crown of glory.
You have faithfully served the Lord in the Revival Centres Church for 29 years.
As we continue on with the Lord’s work here on earth, charting a new chapter and facing the challenges in taking this Gospel to all mankind, your legacy will always be our inspiration.
Your presence, your smiles, your soft voice and your wise words of encouragement every Sunday, Wednesday and even at other church-sanctioned activities will be missed.
We will surely miss your voice when we sing your favorite hymn Whom Have I in Heaven but Thee?
“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly” – Richard Bach.
Rest easy champion!