Rural area blessed, says bishop

Faith

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
MOST Papua New Guineans live in isolated areas without Government services but God has blessed them abundantly, says Head Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG (ELCPNG) Jack Urame.
He said this before unveiling a monument to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the arrival of Lutheran missionaries to Nankina Circuit of Ukata District, at Gubayong village on Tuesday.
Gubayong village located in the Nayudo local-level government area of Raicoast, Madang, is in Ukata District.
The district covers parts of Madang and Morobe and is one of the 17 districts of ELCPNG.
The village is isolated and receives very little government services.
The only airstrip is rundown and the nearest aid-post is at Bambu village, which is a four-hour walk.
“Life is very challenging but people are still residing in those areas,” Urame said,
“This is because God has blessed the people of isolated areas with good food, fresh water, fruits and vegetables.
“God gave them beautiful valleys and rivers.
“Although it’s been 43 years of our country’s independence, and the lack of basic services, God’s Word always brought peace and happiness.
“I believe God’s Word has always been supporting such people in their daily living.
“We see a church building in the middle of the village and we know that God is there.
“The missionaries came to this village because God chose this village. He knows which land His Word will fall on and this village is blessed.
“We think of those missionaries and evangelists that came.
“We thank them for bringing God’s word.
“We must also think of the contract God has made with us, that He will be with us always.
“The monument should be a reminder that God has been merciful to us.”
Urame also blessed three projects: A primary school, an aid-post and re-opening of the old airstrip.