Seven Pages ❤️ Week 5 – 2025

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay…
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some, the journey’s quicker,
For some, the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord
~ unknown ~

Reading the poem above evoked memories of my late parents and reminded me of the  idea that life can be fleeting and without meaning, as expressed in Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 3:22 NIV
[22] So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

This sentiment sadly echoed in the tragic news of a young man’s untimely passing from Tubusereia Village recently, who had shown great promise in his work to protect coral reefs – a sobering reminder of life’s fragility and the unfairness that often accompanies it. May his soul RIP 🕊🙏

Back to my main theme, 🤔 how does one condense 30 years of faithful church ministry into seven pages? Our late father, Retired Reverend Vavia Kara, did just that on 30 December 1990, during his retirement service – a testament to his eloquence. Discovering his handwritten speech, beautifully crafted in our mother tongue, Motu, has brought back a wave of nostalgia and revived cherished memories for all of us, his dear family.

After the service in 1990, I recall being playfully teased by family and friends about my ‘Kaugere roots,’ a settlement in Port Moresby, infamous for its criminal activity & notorious reputation. But dad was just joking, referencing our family’s ministry journey. That’s not in the written speech, but I remember him sharing those little tidbits in between.

Except for our two older siblings, the rest of us was associated with a different village or congregation, reflecting our parents’ various postings. Our youngest sister, born in Tubusereia, just before mum and dad’s retirement, is now following in their footsteps, alongside her husband, pursuing their own calling to become pastors. She’s not the only one – our 2nd eldest brother is an ordained minister: mentored by dad, and still active with the United Reform Church of Kadeboro.

While we regret not documenting our parents’ stories earlier, the discovery of dad’s speech has provided a crucial starting point. We’ll build upon this foundation by gathering our own memories and insights from those who worked with or for them, ensuring their story is preserved for future generations.

Our parents’ ministry journey to remote areas in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea, then on in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby, and finally their home circuit in Central Province, is not unique – rather, it is part of a larger legacy. Many pioneers came before, with and after them, laying the groundwork by teaching, mentoring, inspiring and shaping  the lives of countless influential Papua New Guineans, including politicians, clergy, medical professionals, educators, just to name a few.

It’s crucial that we record and honour their selfless contributions to Papua New Guinea’s development – and I’m not just referring to my parents but to so many other others who served through the church. Unsung heroes lived and walked among us, their commitment to the greater good often going unrecognized.

Their contributions have shaped the fabric of our society.  Though their stories be lost to time, their legacy lives on through the lives they’ve touched. May we continue to draw inspiration from their selflessness. This remarkable legacy warrants a permanent record in the historical archives of PNG.

1 Samuel 12:24 NIV 

[24] But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

Seven pages, or even seven hundred, can not do justice to the depth and richness of our parents’ experiences and many others like them. We pay tribute to the silent champions, and may their sacrifices never be forgotten

In addition, our ancestors’ wisdom, gained from living in harmony with nature, was passed down through generations by word of mouth. Their stories, deeply rooted in oral tradition, defies written word, should be an integral part of our cultural heritage, if they aren’t already.  But that’s a discussion for another time.

To God be the glory always ❤️🙏