Dover Hill Christian Union Church

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E-mail Received From Papua Missionary Ruth, January 29, 2006

Many Papua New Guineans are skilled craftsmen creating colorful string bags, producing intricate carvings, and weaving beautiful baskets. To provide the skilled craftsmen with a market for their wares, to help generate funds for the Bible school, literacy, and other church training programs, I have become involved in a basket project by purchasing baskets from the craftsmen at a fair market value, and seeking to resell them in the USA. If you sense God speaking to you about being a part of this project by selling the baskets.......

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THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN OUR VENTURE AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS EACH OF US.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tax deductible donations can be mailed directly to:

 Church of Christ in Christian Union Missionary Department

Attention: Papua New Guinea Basket Project

 PO Box 10

Circleville, OH 43113-0010

Our shipments from Papua New Guinea can take weeks or months so please visit the online catalog often. We cannot accept special orders but new items will be added as soon as they arrive. 100% of the purchase price of each item sold will be donated to The Christian Union Church of Papua New Guinea supporting their Christian Union Bible College, Literacy, Theological Education by Extension, and other training programs.

Each of these hand made one of a kind items are sold on a first come, first serve basis. All photos are the actual product you will receive so don’t delay!

An instant secure payment can be through PayPal.

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TIPTON TIDBITS

July 2007

In recent days the words from the first verse of the song penned by Joseph H. Gilmore in 1862 have been going through my mind.

He leadeth me, O blessed thought.

O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be

Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

It is a good song for missionaries to remember because their lives are filled with transitions. They leave the land of their birth to work in a different culture where the customs may be very different from their own. After a few years they return to their homeland for a year of ministry among the sending churches. They expect to return to a familiar situation only to realize that both they and the sending community have changed while they have been absent from their homeland. There is comfort and assurance in knowing that God is leading them wherever they go and whatever they do. Sometimes the path they follow takes unexpected twists and turns, but as long as God is leading the missionary can follow with confidence. I have the assurance of God’s guidance as I anticipate the transition that is coming into my life and ministry.

I will be leaving Mount Hagen on July 26th and arriving in Columbus, Ohio on August 3rd. This fall I will continue my studies at Asbury Theological seminary. After serving in Papua New Guinea since 1970, God is leading me away form the field and back to school to work on a Doctor of Missiology which is the study of mission. The fall term begins on September the 4th. I am looking forward to the studies. Please pray for me as I begin the new studies.

I am committed to writing a history of the field. I have collected a number of stories from the Papua New Guinean “old timers” I have also contacted former missionaries. In May I spent three weeks in Port Moresby reading the government patrol report about early contact with the Nembi people. It was fascinating, and I look forward to rereading the copies that I have already sent to the USA. The history and cultural studies will be a big part of my work at Asbury. Writing and teaching will also be a part of my future ministries.

FINISHING UP

 The last few weeks I have delivered New Testaments and vernacular literacy materials to each of the districts. It will be up to each district to continue with the distribution of the New Testament and literacy materials which will be used to teach both children and adults to read their local language.

I will retain my active missionary status for my first year of studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. I will retire form active missionary service in August, 2008. Please continue your financial support through August of next year. I will be available for some services on weekends during the next year. Please contact me if you would like for me to speak at your church.

   Even though I will be retiring from active missionary service next year, I am not retiring from ministry. God is simply leading me down a new path. I anticipate returning to the field for short periods for research and possible service. I also anticipate writing up both the field history and relevant cultural studies that will be helpful to those involved in future missionary service. Teaching mission at home or abroad my also be on the horizon. God led me to PNG in 1970, and now he is leading me away into new and exciting ministries. As long as God gives me life, I will follow wherever he leads and continue to be a part of His mission of reconciling men, women, boys, and girls to himself.

 
Prayer Points

1. Pray for the increased use of the Nembi Angal Enen New Testament and the effective use of the literacy materials that have just gone out to the districts.
2. Pray for my transition from PNG to the USA. It is a big change and the good-byes are never easy.
3. Pray for the PNG church as it struggles to identify its role in carrying out the Great Commission.
4. Pray for me as I prepare to write the field history and other cultural studies relevant to the field.

Praise Points

1. Praise God for providing for my tuition fees for the coming school year at Asbury Theological Seminary.
2. Praise the Lord for providing me with an apartment for the next year.
3. Praise God for Papua New Guineans who have come to know Jesus through the efforts of the mission and missionaries in PNG
4. Praise God for the interest that the PNG church has in learning about the history of the field.
 

Note from DoverHillMarket.com Webmaster: I am honored to have known Ruth for many years. She has done a remarkable job spreading God’s work and working with the citizens of Papau New Guinea. Please continue to pray for Ruth’s safety and well being in her travels and that God will lead another servant to continue her dedication. This site will continue to support the PNG project and will be updated as information is available.

December, 2006

One of the things that I greatly enjoy when I am in the USA for Christmas is the display of lights that shine in the night. I like seeing lighted stars atop the Christmas trees and candles twinkling in the windows or on our mantles and tables in our homes. It is a special time of year, and the lights and other decorations add to the season’s festivity. However, I am most grateful for the Light that the lights represent. The announcement of Jesus’ arrival was accompanied by light from God. “An angel of the Lord” stood before the shepherds “and the glory of the Lord shone all about them” (Luke 2:9). A light in the sky “His star in the east” (Matthew 2:2) guided the wise men to the place where Jesus lay. Later Jesus was to declare “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (John 8:12 NKJV). My prayer for each of you during this Christmas season in that the Light of Christmas will illumine your heart and guide your steps each day of the coming New Year.

Looking Back to 2006

During the past year I have taught four modules in Christian Union Bible College, conducted three courses for the leaders of the women’s groups, and attended the church’s regional conference and the annual women’s camp. I successfully renewed my passport and PNG visa in July and spent some time reading reports of the early government patrols into the Nembi area. I took a course on cross-cultural leadership and did a study of Mt. Hagen Christian Union Church. It has been a busy year, but I hope that God has used me to brighten the light shining in the hearts of the PNG believers

Looking Ahead to 2007

Something very exciting for me is in the works for January of next year. If the details can be worked out, I am hoping to join a class from Asbury Seminary called The Church Abroad: Philippines. Among other things, we will be looking at theological education in the Philippines. I hope to bring back information that will be helpful to the PNG church in planning for advanced theological training for some of the pastors and church leaders. Join me in praying that the details will work out according to God’s plan.

I look forward to continuing work on the church/mission history and conducting more courses with the women’s leaders and others.

Ruth Tipton

Ruth Tipton PO Box 70 Mendi, SHP Papua New Guinea serving with

World Gospel Mission P.O. Box 948, Marion, IN 46952-0948 (www.wgm.org) in partnership with

Churches of Christ in Christian Union P.O. Box 30, Circleville, OH 43113 (www.cccuhq.org

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This ‘n That               Added July 10, 2006

1. Buried in Baskets: I continue to work on the handcraft project to generate funds for literacy, the Bible School, theological education by extension and other church training programs. A number of people have responded to the request to market the baskets. Some are marketing them on e-bay. Some are being featured on a web site at http://www.doverhillmarket.com. A friend from New Boston is selling some and Tess’ International Handicraft Shop http://www.tessinternational.org in Wilmore, Kentucky is also selling PNG handicraft items. Others have also inquired about selling them.

2. Passport and Visa Expiring: My passport and visa expire on September 30^th. I travel to Port Moresby next month to get them renewed. Pray that all will go well.

3. Seminary Courses: I continue to take on-line courses at Asbury seminary. In May I completed a course on Cross-cultural leadership.

4. History of the field: I continue to work with a church appointed committee to prepare a history of the church and mission in PNG.

Praise Points	Prayer Points
1. Praise God for the opportunity to work with the Bible school students	1. Pray for the courses that I will be teaching in the Bible school.
2. Praise God for the church’s interest in having it story told.	2. Pray for the committee working on the church and mission’s history.
3. Praise God for the chance to support Mt. Hagen Christian Union Bible College and other church training programs	3. Pray for the handcraft project and those who are helping sell the items in the USA.
4. Praise God that he cares about all little details of our lives.	4. Pray that the renewal of my passport and visa will go smoothly.
5. Praise God for the interest the women have in sharing their faith with others.	5. Pray for the PNG women as they seek to follow God’s leading in their lives

I deeply appreciate your prayers and support. May God’s richest blessings be with you as you serve him where he has placed you.

Students And Testimonies   Added June 28, 2006

(Nem Bilong Mi Nicholas Pundia)  My Name is Nicholas Pundia 

I am from Kaupena in the Southern Highlands Province. My wife is from Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands Province. The two of us do not have any children. I have lived in Mt. Hagen for a long time, and I understand their local language. I am happy to live in Mount Hagne because this place is a good place. I want to live there.

Nicholas wants to write a short story about the family his parents had. We are six children, and three of us are men and three are women. The names of the men are Nicholas Pundia, Moses Pundia, and Martin Pundia. The names of the three women are Rose Pundia, Kuni Pundia, and Miriam Pundia.

Before my father was a pastor. Pudia did not go to Bible School. No! The Holy Spirit taught him to preach God’s word. He preached, and many people have converted and started following god.

Our ancestors have a story that says the son will take the father’s place, and the daughter will take the mother’s place. An so, Nicholas has come to Bible school to take Pundia’s place.

That is all. Thank you. May God bless you.

(Liklik Stori Bilong Famili Bilong Mi)   A Short Story About My Family

I want to tell about myself, my parents, and my sisters and brothers, and the work that we do at our place.

My father is a leader in our village, but he does not go to church. He is an unbeliever. But I know that God will change his life some time if this ground does not come to an end quickly.

My father has four wives. The first wife is my mother, and the other three are from other villages. My mother had four children; three boys and one girl.

My first brother is not married. My parents want to arrange a marriage for him, but he does not want to marry quickly. So now he is working at a plantation at Saimara on the coast.

My second brother has completed grade ten, and now he is attending grade eleven at Nipa Secondary School.

I am the third child. I finished grade 10, and now I have come to Christian Union Bible College to study God’s word and learn more about a holy living, good thinking, and the peace of God.

The fourth child is my brother, and he is taking grade 10 at Inu High School. My parent take care of the garden, look after pigs, and do all kinds of work at our place.

This is just part of the story about my family. Marthalyn (Shortly after this class ended, Marthalyn dropped out of school. She said that her mother needed her to help with the work at their place.)

Mi George Ongel. My name is George Ongel.

I am writing a story about the family my parents raised. My father’s name is Peter, and my mother’s name is Kumin. The two of them had six children—three boys and three girls. The children’s names were George Peter, Kope Peter, Kela Peter, Susanna Peter, Betty Peter, and Sambet Peter. My parents were church leaders, and we were a Christian family. When I was small, my parents told me to go to Injed Community School. I took grade one in 1976, and in 1977 I was in grade two. I was in class, but I did not learn anything. When term two came, I was disobedient, and I slept in a lot of different places. My parents tried to find me, but I was very stubborn and disobedient.

One week on a Sunday a pastor came and spoke at our church. He said, “You must repent and live.” I was converted when Pastor John Hep spoke. I was a Christian for a number of years.

I married in 1989. My wife’s name is Bebilin and the two of us have five children. The first is Seri George, the second is Joshua George, the third is Josiah George, the fourth in Johnson George, and the fifth is a girl, Jacqueline George.

My family follows the talk of the district pastor and the elders of the church. In 2006 God called me to come to Bible School at Christian Union Bible College. I am happy to come and become strong (spiritually) at this college. That is the end of the story about the family group that I was born into.

Stori Bilong Jerry Mall  The Story of Jesrry Mall

I am a young man from Monta Village in Nenga Ward in the Southern Highlands Province. My father, Mall, has two wives. The first mother (wife) bore five children—four boys and one girl. The second mother had four children—three boys and one girl.

From this family, one of the boys is a village counselor and a pastor too, with the Good News Christian Church.

I attended Munhiu Community School. I did not think that school was a good thing in my life. I went to school for only four years, and then I ran away from school. I stayed at home doing nothing.

Once I went to the bush to clean some of my pandanus nuts at Heap. I cut my leg and hurried home. For four weeks I stayed in my house. I did take a break and go outside of my house, Once a pastor came and prayed for me, and he told me, “In five more days your illness will end.” When five days had passed, my illness was gone. On the sixth day I went to church, and I stayed with the pastor for one year altogether.

Later, when one year had passed, God called me to be his worker. For five years I have been with the people at Nemto and Endem Chur

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ches. In 2005 God called me again.

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