Zaka marks 100 years of the first German missionary landing

By LARRY ANDREW
SAPPA village on the Morobe south coast, was buzzing last weekend with celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first German missionary.
As well as visitors from Germany, those from Lae town congregations, Boana, Finschhafen, Garaina, Madang, Popondetta and the eight parishes within the Zaka circuit celebrated the 100-year Miti anniversary brought by German missionary Karl Mailaeder in 1911.
The event coincided with Christmas and was attended by more than 8,000 members of the Lutheran church.
The opening ceremony saw young and old combining their skills and talents to display a colourful flag dance, cross dance and light dance.
Missionary Rev Dr Helmut Horndasch, who served at the Zaka circuit from 1957-1964, flew in with his family from Germany to witness the ceremony and to reunite with old friends.
In his address, Bishop Giegere Wenge said people should be celebrating because “Jesus came to save us and this we now know because missionaries brought the Word to us”.