First Lutheran station needs rehabilitation

THE first light of Lutheran Mission landed in Finschhafen.
The first missionary late Rev John Frierl, who brought the Lutheran Mission Grace, came into contact with a native great chief and warrior called late Chief Semangegng Givicking.
Out of love, compassion, trust and faith, the native warrior and chief, who was the customary landowner and ruler of Sattleberg area during his reign, provided the provisions for the vision of early missionary.
He never sold, traded or gave away his birth right of inheritance.
He settled the early missionary at Bipi Voneng within the Sattleberg area of Finschhafen.
The Lutheran Mission Grace geminated and grew into full strength, length and size.
The Evangelical Lutheran church of Papua New Guinea (ELC PNG) is where it is today is because of Givicking’s decisions and mutual understandings to see Frierl’s vision accomplished.
Frierl’s vision to establish Lutheran Mission Grace on Papua New Guinea soil got the approval by decisions, actions, honour, respect, loyalty and trust from Givicking with his eagerness to see new and infantry lifestyle take its full form of the Christianity concept.
Yes, it indeed came to maturity in full form, length and size, which everyone connected to the Lutheran Mission Grace enjoys today and benefited by the people of this country.
The people of Sattleberg area in the Kotec local level government of Finschhafen are proud to see their forefather’s decision.
ELCPNG today has reached many parts of PNG.
Bipi Voneng Mission Station of ELCPNG still remains the historical site that no one can dispute and overlook.
The early Papua New Guinean missionaries were trained and launched forth to the Highlands, Mamose, New Guinea Islands, Papua and the Pacific Islands were from Sattleberg area, that accommodates Bipi Voneng ELCPNG Mission Station.
The people of Masangko area and the nearby villages today are proud of the decisions and commitments of the great, great grandfather and forefather Givicking.
Bipi Voneng ELCPNG Mission Station’s facilities today are rundown.
The church has shifted its focus on this area.
The decisions and actions of my great, great grandfather Givicking is upheld, recognised, reviewed and considered paramount for revival and resurrection of the historical birthplace of Lutheran Mission, Bipi Voneng in the Sattleberg area.
I want to see a rehabilitation programme be immediately conducted to elevate the station.
It will be fitting to accommodate the bishop and to support other works of the ELCPNG Mission in the rest of PNG.
The idea maybe crazy but I believe in the vision that the provisions will be made available by God.

Honera Ian Fore,
Sattleberg Area,
Masangko village