EVERYONE HAS A CALLING AND PURPOSE IN LIFE, SAYS FAITH MISSION WORKER AFTER 73 YEARS OF SERVING IN REMOTE LUFA

By Vicky Baunke in Goroka EHP

It has been 73 years since the Faith Mission missionaries set foot on the rugged terrains of Mt Michael the highest peak in the Eastern Highlands Province with a calling.

Faith Mission Manageress Jacqui Wood recalled when the first missionaries her adopted parents came to Lufa.

She was speaking during the ground breaking ceremony of the Gouno Faith Mission Day High School last Friday in Gouno.

She expressed that every individual in life has a calling and purpose in life and if you find that purpose nothing can hold you back.

Wood recalled the struggle she had to go through trying to get educated back in Lufa during the days of the missionaries (her parents) and witnessing the ground breaking ceremony was a milestone achievement.

Wood had to leave her job and luxury lifestyle in Australia to return to serve in the Gouno Faith Mission which also accommodates a Bible School and Health Centre, she stated that it is her calling in life to give back to the community which her parents brought life to.

She appealed to the people to prayerfully find their purpose and calling in life, as for her it is her mission to serve the people of Gouno to ensure that their children get educated and exce.l

Eastern Highlands Provincial Education Director acknowledged the Faith Mission Church as their partners in service delivery during the ground breaking ceremony of the Gouno Faith Mission High School that will be enrolling students next year.

Wesley said the education department is happy to work with churches who continue to fill in the gap to provide services where there are no government services.

He also appealed to the people to take ownership of the school, staff and its facilities.

The Gouno Faith Mission High School will provide High School education in Mt Michael LLG, a much needed service that has been lacking for many decades before independence.

However, the Faith Mission was established by Rev. Ben Wertz in 1953, with the first mission station being built in Gouno. Its goal was “reaching the Unreached for Christ.”

Since this time, it has empowered thousands of Papua New Guineans living in remote areas through Bible teaching, education, aid, supporting new construction and more.