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Imagine a thriving Adventist movement in the South Pacific. Do images or stories come quickly to mind? This podcast recounts important events, stories and memories from Adventists throughout the South Pacific. These mission stories from our past are proof that the Adventist movement is alive and thriving. Listen to these podcasts and step out to join these pioneering Adventists with Jesus on His mission of making disciple-makers in the South Pacific.
As a young girl, I always looked forward to school holidays, especially in December, because I would travel to the village to be with my grandparents.
My father’s parents, Gavugeno and Villiwa Kapigeno, lived on their rubber plantation in Cape Rodney, Central province, but would travel to their village, Kinikalana in Pelagai on the Aroma Coast, for the festive season.
They would travel to Kupiano, a government station, and cross the lagoon on a canoe or a banana boat to Kelerakwa, a village on the other side. They would then ride on a truck to the village. My dad would drive my mum, sister, cousins and I from Port Moresby to the village.
Oh, what beautiful reunions we had in their home. We basked in their love. One precious memory—etched in my heart—is the morning and evening devotions we had as a family. We would gather around my grandfather in the mornings for him to read to us Bible verses from the Morning Watch. In the evenings, he would read to us from the adult Bible study guide. He always encouraged us to remain faithful to God and the church.
Sabbath was a joy for me. I’d wake up so early to get ready for church. The church was at the Pelagai mission station, an almost 10 to 15 minute-walk away.
I cherished the church because it was my grandfather’s home-away-from-home as a child.
In the 1930s, he ran away from home after killing his grandmother’s chicken. He was not an Adventist but, fearing for his life, he sought shelter at the Pelagai Seventh-day Adventist mission station.
He lived with missionary Alma Wiles who was passionately known among the locals as Sinabada Wiles.
He was later baptised and worked as a carpenter for the church, including at the Kabiufa Adventist School.
He also built a church on his rubber plantation at Cape Rodney—the Ianu Seventh-day Adventist Church, where many families worshipped from the 1980s to early 2000s.
My grandfather shared beautiful memories of growing up at the Pelagai mission station with me. It is now headquarters for the Aroma District of the Central Papua Conference.
It has been many decades since my grandfather ran away to the home of Alma Wiles where he found Jesus. His love for the Lord is the most beautiful memory I have of him.
He was a faithful follower of God until his passing in September 2003. I cried bitterly as he was laid to rest, but I made a vow to remain faithful to the God my grandfather loved and served.
I look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus and especially heaven where I will meet my grandfather again.
Hebrews 10:23 encourages me that God is faithful and trustworthy. He strengthened and led my grandfather. He is doing the same for you and me too.
Verse of the day:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23 (NIV).
Jacqueline Wari is Communication director for the Papua New Guinea Union Mission and loves travelling, reading and gardening. She is married to Pastor Cameron Wari and their home is blessed with Malu and Neriah.