Grandchild writes book about pioneer missionary

By TONY PALME
A BIORGRAPHY about the founder of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jiwaka was launched by the missionary’s own family last Saturday at Banz.
The book titled ‘Mugang Mugarewec Bitenggere – A Pioneer Missionary to the Highlands of New Guinea,’ is the life story of Bitenggere and his missionary work in the Highlands and especially in Jiwaka.
Gabby Mugang, the author of the book, said the launching was historic for the pioneer missionary and the church.
Mugang, a teacher at Banz Elcong Primary School, is the granddaughter of late the Bitenggere, who died on Jan 18, 1980, after 41 years of faithfully serving the church.
She said the compilation of the book involved intense research and interviews carried out four years.
“We spent our own resources and travelled throughout Jiwaka and interviewed some of the people that worked together with Bitenggere or those who had been touched by him,” she said.
“We talked to them and got reliable information and as a result of this in-depth research, we came up with this book, which is his story.
“We have arranged with Marapa Publications in Port Moresby to publish our book. We expect the book to hit the market by March.
“It is quite a humble achievement and we would like to thank the God for giving us the wisdom and strength to come up with this remarkable book.
“This book will now serve as the basic history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jiwaka.”
Those who were behind the compilation of the biography were Bitenggere’s second born daughter Embac, now 73-years-old, son Binge (his 10th child), Helen Mugang Kopunye, (seventh child) and Mugang.
The book also coincides with the family announcing the Chayil Book Ministries which is currently under the process of registration with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).
Gabby said they are now also working on the second book to be titled ‘History of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jiwaka District.”
“Chayil Book Ministries is the body that will support us to write more books in the future. Our main vision is to get the wealth from the book ministry and fund the work of God. It is not for anybody’s benefit but for God’s work alone,” Mugang reiterated.
ELC Jiwaka district president Rev Paul Siwi said the church would now have its own history.
“On behalf of the seven circuits of Jiwaka and the people of Jiwaka, I thank the Mugang family for bringing the Gospel of Salvation into the Waghi Valley and had a huge impact on the lives of the people,” he said.
“Their father from Finschhaffen (Morobe) brought the gospel here. And it is now his children and grand children writing the history of the church. It’s a challenge for us to continue where the Mugang legacy left and write our own piece of history.”