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Visit to Mambo Church, Goroka

Myself and the Pastor of Mambo Church, Bro Michael Awagl

23 January, 2006

By Richard Carver Jnr

There are more pictures than what you see here! Be sure to:

• View photo album
• View slideshow
• View movies

While in Goroka for our AIM Apartment renovation, we were privileged to attend one of the local churches in Goroka which we hadn't been to before. It is called the Mambo church, pastored by Bro. Michael Awagl.

Although it is within the town limits, the area itself is a very busy settlement, and is just off the main highway down a very muddy track. As things would turn out, it absolutely poured with monsoonal rain all Saturday night, meaning that by Sunday morning the road had just turned to slush.

The mud outside was everywhere

Undaunted, we all piled in to the 4-wheel drive and off we went for church. Bro Carver had promised them a visit, and all the church members were in great expectation of our arrival. Bro. Gration expertly navigated the car along the mud track (he credits his skill with mud driving to having lived in the Solomon Islands). There was a point were the road had fallen away, leaving nothing more than the exact width of the car to drive over. We all went through with hushed and bated breath, but Bro Gration deftly manouvered through.

When we arrived at the church, the members were eagerly awaiting. They welcomed us with song and a wreath, and sang a beautiful chorus to welcome us.

We had a lovely service, and Bro Carver preached about the miracle of the loaves and fishes - how Jesus insisted on a high level of organisation before he began his miracle. He paralleled that to how we have to be ready and prepared for revival.

Bro Carver preaching

Afterwards we enjoyed a meal and fellowship with the church. There were members there which lived in the village where the Carvers first went in 1973, and were some of the original Sunday School students. It was a touching moment as they greeted Bro Carver, full of emotion and thankfulness.

The rain and three inches of mud didn't stop them. One of the most memoriable impressions I got was the sight of the members shoes piled outside the church door, caked with mud. I wished I had gotten a proper photo, because it displayed their willingness to persevere even through difficult circumstances.

Their beautiful singing and worship, and hunger for the Word of God was a testament to the work that God has done in their lives. Praise God for the labourers and pastors who have taken the Gospel all over Papua New Guinea!

- Richard J. Carver

Some of the original 1973 members greet Bro Carver after many years	The Grations went with us	Bro Awagl & his wife prepared some lunch for us

There are more pictures of the church service. Be sure to view the photo album, slideshow or movies.

- 12 May 2008

• Richard Jnr treks through a massive landslide to teach the ministers in the Western Region [more]
• Richard & Andrea's Feb-May Newsletter [more]
• National Conference 2008 in Goroka is a blessing [more]

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10 May 2008 - Andrea has been diagnosed with Graves Disease. It looks as if she may have to return to Australia for treatment. Please pray for her healing and Richard & Andrea's finances.

1 May 2008 - Increasing frequency of armed holdups in Goroka. Please pray for Richard & Andrea's safety, and that of the church members and Headquarters

Ongoing Request - Pray for Peter & Robyn Gration during their Deputation Travels