It has been an exciting lead up to the 50th anniversary of independence celebrations that will be taking place around the country this year. Cultural shows in Goroka and Morobe will draw huge crowds this week, and there are community programs at the local national high school and primary school here in the Aiyura valley on Tuesday. Flag raising ceremonies at Independence Hill near the National Parliament House in Port Moresby, to our own flag raising here in Ukarumpa, will signify national pride, unity and thanksgiving. It was particularly poignant to gather together, nationals and expatriates, to sing the national anthem, and have one of our Australian missionaries participate in the raising of the PNG flag in Ukarumpa, who was here as a student 50 years ago for the very first PNG flag raising. Ukarumpa International School also recognized the holiday by encouraging students and teachers to wear PNG colors and traditional costumes to school and gathered together to pray for the nation. At a combined Tok Pisin and English church service, the speaker reminded us that “as the church goes, so goes the nation” and we were exhorted to seek God’s Kingdom first in everything we do, building up and encouraging the body of Christ around us. He acknowledged that his beloved nation has very real challenges for its future and encouraged us to pray for the leaders of both the nation and the churches to seek the LORD and His plan for this beautiful and diverse country. That is our prayer, not just for PNG, but for our own beloved country as well. Please join us in praying for the nations to seek the LORD with all their hearts and souls.
