Servants of God

The National Letters

IT was wonderful to see the interest among Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG followers during the 500th year of Reformation orchestrated by the great Martin Luther in the year 1517.
While we all would like to be part of this wonderful feeling of celebration of an event that began in a faraway place 500 years ago, we in Papua New Guinea would like to greatly acknowledge one special group among us, the Finschhafens of Morobe.
The Finschhafens had no prior understanding of the word of God, knowledge of what difficulties lay beyond their local boundaries, knowledge of where to rest for the night.
They had no food, no shoes and no communication technology.
The Lutheran faith spread throughout the Highlands region through these simple barefoot evangelists.
Their sons and daughters must stand tall today, and be proud of their father’s humbleness to bring the Word of God to the masses.
These simple people never demanded attention.
They have not claimed from anyone – Government, church or businesses – yet they deserve an accolade from the highest authority in today’s Papua New Guinea.
It would be a wonderful thing to do if the National Government, under the good Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, make a special mention of these wonderful servants of God in a public forum and the media.
The ELCPNG can also do us all proud by considering a special offering, perhaps during the 2018 Reformation Sunday, to acknowledge these great people among us.
It would be even better if ELCPNG faithful in Goroka district can orchestrate a gathering of remaining Finchhafen evangelists, or their descendants in Goroka.
Invite Chimbu, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands and Enga to participate.
We thank every family and every tribe throughout the Highlands region, who became wonderful recipients of the Word of God, and accepted these simple messengers with open arms.
Many remain in the Highlands today. Their children and grandchildren have intermarried and speak the local language of their adopted home.

Gerard and Louisa Saleu
Goroka