Mini Tribute – Martin & Alieen Gardham
I spent my first 2 weeks in Lae living with Martin & Aileen.
Martin was General Secretary to the Anglican Church for about 3 years – which from what I can tell acts as the (very) senior civil servant to the Anglican Church of PNG. On the side, he took care of the Finance & Admin Mangers role (which has been unfilled for a few years). Prior to this Martin has worked across almost all areas of ACPNG – diocese secretary for AiPo diocese (almost all the highlands region), and previously in Popondota diocese. All this on the missionary allowance from the UK. The guy is a seriously good administrator. I should know, because it’s relatively serious big hole that’s been left behind! All up Martin was in PNG for 20 yrs + (hope I’ve got all those dates/times right)
Aileen’s ministry/time in PNG was at the same time more broad and at least as important/definitive as Martin’s. For a start, Aileen has been in PNG 30+ years – after feeling called from Rockhampton in her (I think) late 20’s. Aileen is a nurse, and just in the 2 weeks I was here, there were sick babies, staff with Malaria and a general helping medical hand which is invaluable here in Lae, let alone in the rest of PNG. Aileen has been heavily involved in the Provincial (national) Women’s Literacy component of ACPNG – teaching pidgin and getting lik lik buks out to rural areas--, and more locally was secretary and treasurer for Heduru Aids Care here in Lae (based on this same compound). The opening of the office (with computer/phone etc) made possible through some EU funding, was on their 2nd last Sunday.
These little paragraphs can’t really grab even the stories/people/contributions which I was lucky enough to grab a glimpse of whilst being here for the final 2 weeks. Writing the above feels a tad inadequate… but hopefully, as planned, Martin puts all this down in a book/writing - - as it would be a fascinating insight into the changing generation of the Anglican Church and of PNG generally.
More personally, Aileen & Martin welcomed me and settled me into Lae. Made a world of difference starting off with some v.experienced (effectively) locals.
Martin was General Secretary to the Anglican Church for about 3 years – which from what I can tell acts as the (very) senior civil servant to the Anglican Church of PNG. On the side, he took care of the Finance & Admin Mangers role (which has been unfilled for a few years). Prior to this Martin has worked across almost all areas of ACPNG – diocese secretary for AiPo diocese (almost all the highlands region), and previously in Popondota diocese. All this on the missionary allowance from the UK. The guy is a seriously good administrator. I should know, because it’s relatively serious big hole that’s been left behind! All up Martin was in PNG for 20 yrs + (hope I’ve got all those dates/times right)
Aileen’s ministry/time in PNG was at the same time more broad and at least as important/definitive as Martin’s. For a start, Aileen has been in PNG 30+ years – after feeling called from Rockhampton in her (I think) late 20’s. Aileen is a nurse, and just in the 2 weeks I was here, there were sick babies, staff with Malaria and a general helping medical hand which is invaluable here in Lae, let alone in the rest of PNG. Aileen has been heavily involved in the Provincial (national) Women’s Literacy component of ACPNG – teaching pidgin and getting lik lik buks out to rural areas--, and more locally was secretary and treasurer for Heduru Aids Care here in Lae (based on this same compound). The opening of the office (with computer/phone etc) made possible through some EU funding, was on their 2nd last Sunday.
These little paragraphs can’t really grab even the stories/people/contributions which I was lucky enough to grab a glimpse of whilst being here for the final 2 weeks. Writing the above feels a tad inadequate… but hopefully, as planned, Martin puts all this down in a book/writing - - as it would be a fascinating insight into the changing generation of the Anglican Church and of PNG generally.
More personally, Aileen & Martin welcomed me and settled me into Lae. Made a world of difference starting off with some v.experienced (effectively) locals.
posted by Naaaaath at 1:16 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home