Written by Klaus in October 2011:
Just recently I learnt that their landing strip was destroyed by heavy outbursts of rain and can no longer be used. Also the short wave transmitters which they used for regular contact with our mission station on the coast have broken down. That is why we were not able to contact them for quite some time; they were isolated.
Most of the Iyarike Fayu group have moved back to their hunting grounds and there a new village has been established, called Dirouw. The land there lies higher and is well suited for a new landing strip. I have just been informed that that Chief Kologwoi and his people began a little while ago to fell trees in order to construct this new landing strip. In that time they have managed 500 metres. I am impressed!
In the meantime I have contacted JAARS, transferred money and requested a provision of a plane to make a test landing. On top of that, I have commissioned two assistants, Pak Imbiri and Pak Jerry, to fly as close as possible to the Fayu area and from there to travel to the new village of Dirouw by canoe. I have given them three tasks:
- to install a new short wave transmitter
- to inspect the new landing strip, and if this is ready, to request the plane for a test landing
- to train and encourage the leadership of the Fayu church.
The Fayu people have continued to meet regularly for worship.
Since then I have been informed that Imbiri and Jerry have arrived safely and have spoken to the YPPM mission station with the newly installed short wave transmitter. Praise the Lord! Now I’m waiting for the news that the landing strip has been made ready and that a test landing can be planned. Pleas pray for that!
In my heart I have the wish to visit the Fayu myself once more. If the Lord grants grace, I would possibly travel there in the autumn of next year. See recent pictures here.
Klaus-Peter has written the following in September 2009:
“Most of you will have heard that I suffered a stroke in April and that I spent several weeks in a rehabilitation clinic to restore my right side. I am glad to say that my right side is nearly restored though I am still getting further therapy. Since my performance, energy and stress levels are pretty low, they suggested to me that I should change my ‘life style’ and set new limits on my activities. However, I am feeling much much better these days. Thank God with us for His protective Hand!
Daniel and Tina Gallant to whom I passed on the responsibility for the Fayu work are back in the USA at the moment in agreement with the leadership, Pastor Wopari and Pastor Hendrik. Here are some excerpts from Daniel’s emails:
“I have been meeting with Pastors Wopari and Hendrik about the next steps for the Fayu ministry.
Through our talks they agreed that a further linguistic foundation needs to be laid in order for the work of God to continue, especially the work of Bible translation. I feel with all my heart that this is the right decision… Klaus pioneered and opened up that area. He was called to be a father to the Fayus and show them the Love that can only come from God. My calling has always been to disciple and counsel in small groups and one-on-one sessions. I do not feel I can do that without a linguistic foundation so that we can assure the Fayus understand the gospel completely. At this time the Lord has shown me that I need to return to the US and pursue some things that He has revealed to me about my future. In the meantime Pastors Wopari and Hendrik are looking for a linguist to allocate among the Fayus… I want to thank all of Klaus’s supporters who have prayed for us during our time in Papua…
We have an open invitation by Pastors Wopari and Hendrik to return to Papua as soon as we are ready again. Remember us in prayer as we keep this before the Lord. Thank you very much…”This is a good time for the Fayu Christians to learn to stand on their own two feet and not rely on help from expatriate missionaries. Let us maintain our prayers of intercession for our brothers and sisters in Christ among the Fayu, especially for the leadership. Let us remember Bebe (Barnabas), Diro (Daniel), Klausu Bosa and Yohannes as they take responsibility for worship in the Fayu church.
Also let us remember the Chiefs Kologwoi, Nakire and Teau that they might remain faithful and lead by example - and also Baiba and Yulans whom the Lord has personally called to minister to their own people and who have declared themselves ready to be trained as Bible translators.Some of you might ask “Klaus, are you still involved in the Fayu work?” Well, in one sense I have to answer No. The responsibility had been passed on to Daniel and Tina, and this was clearly by the direction of the Lord. However, in another sense I have to say Yes, especially financially. I have to continue to pay my bills, eg for aircraft travel and for special projects on the mission station in town; several workers are still on my pay list, and I have just completed financing the building of living quarters for Fayu visitors in town. Furthermore, I will continue to be a spiritual father to the Fayu, and as the Lord leads I will visit them maybe once a year.
Therefore THANKS for continuing to bless and to strengthen us by your prayers and by your support.
Also THANKS for remembering me during the continued ‘transition-time’ where I am getting prepared more and more for a new appointed place of ministry. I am still in the ‘process of dying’ to the old and familiar way of ministry to the Fayu so that the new can finally break through. Dying is not easy; however, only through death can new life come forth.THANKS to all of you who have been faithfully standing with us all these years - and the Lord has done great things among the Fayus. All glory to our King Jesus. Therefore I want to declare: Light and Life HAVE come to the Fayu, and the powers of darkness HAVE BEEN destroyed, in Jesus’s Name.”
