Stay tuned for more updates on our next outreach initiatives, as we continue to reach the Fisika region with the love of Christ.

Fisika Adventist Students Association Communication and Media Department

Greetings from the Communication and Media Department of Fisika ASA.

We are excited to share the wonderful news from the Fisika Adventist Students Association's First Biannual Convention held at Finschhafen Technical School in Gagidu Town!

This inspiring event was themed "Anchor in Faith; Empower to Shore" (Isaiah 40:31) and provided an unforgettable spiritual journey for all those involved. Over the course of the convention, students came together, embracing their faith and strengthening their resolve to grow in Christ.

In a ceremonial moment that underscored the gravity of the occasion, Pastor Moses Wai officially declared the convention open, signaling the commencement of an exciting program filled with workshops, discussions, and fellowship activities designed to empower and inspire the students in their spiritual journey as they anchor in faith in Jesus and empower to soar above all negative influence this world offers.

Gagidu, Finschhafen District - December 2024

The Fisika Adventist Students Association (FASA) is thrilled to announce its First Biannual Convention, set to take place in Gagidu, located in the picturesque Finschhafen District. This landmark event is scheduled from December 28, 2024, to January 4, 2025, and promises to be a week of profound academic, spiritual, and community-focused activities.

Event Details

Dates: December 28, 2024 - January 4, 2025

Location: Gagidu, Finschhafen District

The Fisika Adventist Students Association is an organization dedicated to fostering academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community service among students. Our mission is to create a nurturing environment that supports the holistic development of our members, empowering them to excel in their academic pursuits while growing spiritually and contributing meaningfully to their communities.

Convention Highlights:

Academic Workshops and Seminars: Engage in a variety of sessions led by esteemed academics and professionals, covering a wide range of topics designed to enhance knowledge and skills.

Spiritual Retreats and Worship Services: Participate in daily worship sessions and spiritual retreats aimed at deepening faith and spiritual understanding.

Community Service Projects: Join hands with fellow students in community service initiatives that will have a lasting positive impact on the local community of Gagidu.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, mentors, and leaders from various fields, fostering relationships that will support personal and professional growth.

This convention is not just a gathering but a celebration of our collective commitment to excellence, faith, and service. It is an opportunity for students to come together, share experiences, and build a stronger, more connected community.

**About Fisika Adventist Students Association:**

The Fisika Adventist Students Association is committed to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for students. Through various programs and initiatives, we aim to promote academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community service, empowering our members to become well-rounded individuals who make a positive impact in their communities.

We are thrilled to share the latest developments in the mission work within the picturesque Finschaffen District of Papua New Guinea. 

Seventh-Day Adventist Breakthroughs

In a region historically dominated by Lutheran influence, Seventh-Day Adventist missionaries are now making remarkable strides. Led by Pastor Raymond Pololi and Elder Lesley Roger, they embarked on an arduous journey to ignite the Advent message in the Highlands of Finschaffen.

The Journey to Boringio Village

Undeterred by challenges, Pastor Pololi and Elder Roger trekked for three hours through dense jungles to reach the remote Boringio village in upper Mape. Their commitment to spreading the Gospel was unwavering, even as their feet were relentlessly attacked by leeches.

hainsaw Ministry welcomes individuals from all walks of life to join us in our mission. Whether you have experience with chainsaws, construction, community outreach, or simply a desire to help, we value your contribution and commitment.

If you would like to volunteer, make a donation, or have any questions regarding our ministry, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can continue to create a positive impact and nurture the spirit of unity and faith within our beloved Finschaffen District.

Remember, every act

Aim

Students become aware that compassion, and the comfort that only Christ can bring, is essential to their Christian journey—on and off their campuses. It is to inculcate the significant meaning of compassion, that it does not mean feeling sorry for others, but reaching out so that they can understand the Man of Galilee deeply.

Introduction:

There is no story that holds me than that of Irvine who attended a university away from home and who stayed with non-Adventist family friends. On Sabbaths, instead of returning home for lunch he would linger alone on campus. He grew a bit lonely as he watched everyone dashed into their rooms or got together in groups for lunch. Observing this, he decided to ask a friend to prepare Sabbath lunch for them, and he would contribute to the expense. This Sabbath fellowship over meals grew to include not only fellow believers—who were initially going back to their rooms to have bread for lunch—but non-Adventist visitors as well. Compassion can spread the gospel from one's need, to sharing—not just food, but the gospel.

Matthew 9:36-38 is today's Scripture reference.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Can you imagine you are at church, school, a concert, actually it can be anywhere, and you have the ability to look around and see ALL THE PROBLEMS that everyone is having—all at the same 􀆟me? Well, Jesus could. He could look in a crowd and see who was stressed, broken-hearted, happy, sad, oblivious, suffering, annoyed, or uncomfortable—all at the same 􀆟me. All hearts were like an open book, opened to His scrutiny, as well as His tender gaze. In today's Bible text, we see that the main emo􀆟on expressed is compassion. Jesus felt compassion.

If we could sum up the whole character of Christ in reference to ourselves, it can be concluded thus: “He was moved with compassion…” Belief holds that all students attend university prepared from their own backgrounds, but on close inspection a whole excess of complexities can be detected through the fearful reactions that stick out. The best way to perceive them is through the eyes—open enough to see through, ears—alert enough to hear through silence, hands so extended that they reach another hand easily and feet—so that willing they reach deep and far.

One theologian and commentator has a way to define Jesus Christ and compassion. Interpreting the Apostle's experience of Jesus, he says: “I suppose that when our Savior looked upon certain sights, those who watched Him closely perceived that His internal agitation was very great, His emotions were very deep and then His face betrayed it. His eyes gushed like fountains with tears, and you saw that His big heart was ready to burst with pity for the sorrow upon which His eyes were

gazing.” C.H. Spurgeon, (The Compassion of Jesus, Hope Messages in Times of Crisis). Please note that the eyes through which Christ gazed were eyes of grace and compassion. Eyes of compassion looking around at the scattered sheep, confused, broken, mangled, and distressed.

So, as we gaze around us, let us remember Jesus touches us every moment with compassion, let us in turn touch others through His compassion. Let us grow in Christ-likeness. As Seventh-Day Adventists on public campuses we sometimes see pain and brokenness that we do not experience at many of our Seventh-Day Adventists educational institutions. Let us remember that Christlike compassion will move us to meet .

COMPASION 

For the Greeks, the abdomen was the seat of the violent passions of anger and lust. The Hebrews understood it to be the center of tender affections, such as kindness and compassion . In villages, the same forms of speech (Bailey, 2005, p. 68) remain, when a villager hears an especially moving story of suffering, he might say 'You are cutting up my intestines', or when a close relative or friend leaves his companions will say, 'Do not cut up my intestines', meaning I will be deeply hurt by your absence if you leave us (Bailey, 2005, p. 68). Jesus sees the crowd and is moved with 'compassion' for whatever (potentially) that he sees will happen to the individuals. As students, we ought to have perceptive eyes, see through the smiles hiding the pain, glee covering the brokenness, and hard work that masks loneliness.

In 1 John 3:18 we read, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (New King James Version) Christlike compassion is more than just an emotional response, it is more than pitying someone who is in trouble. Compassion is much more that.

Compassion moves us to the very depth of our being. It hurts us on the inside. The feeling is so deep that we cannot hold it in, we MUST DO SOMETHING, we MUST MOVE TO ACTION. We cannot have compassion without action. The greatest example of compassion is Jesus so we MUST MEASURE our compassion against that of Jesus. The closer we draw to the heart of our Father as students, the more we will reflect His heart to those around us. Yes, commit today to be compassionate to others. Compassion in action will impact our campuses and woo young people back to God. 

And Jesus, moved with pity, touched him and said, "I want to! Be healed!” Mark 1:41(TLB)

Stricken with certain illnesses at times prevents you from having community with friends and sometimes even family. The recent global pandemic, Covid-19, is an example of this isolation problem, this not connecting with people. Current Covid-19 protocols require a six-foot distance from each other, frequent handwashing with warm water, use of hand sanitizer, and wearing face coverings. Ultimately it has in so many ways prevented family members from getting together to celebrate, connect, and create cherished memories.

Covid-19 has caused many of us to live isolated from each other, and for those who contract the disease, the constant threat of unacceptance looms over their heads. This has been hard on so many. Multiple surveys and studies confirm what we have known for years, that God created us to live in community, and the lack of community, a touch, a feel, results in all kinds of emotional challenges. In short, we all want a place to belong. When that place of belonging is snatched away from us, anxiety and depression are the results.

Covid-19 is the modern-day leprosy. We see in the Bible where leprosy prevented you from being accepted by society, family, and friends, and relegated you to be around only those with the same disease, leprosy. Think about it for a moment, wanting to be accepted by family or friends but you are not able to have a place of belonging, all because of your condition. Many young people in our church might feel unaccepted because of their appearance, or perhaps because their family dynamic is not like others at church. In the church, we have young people who feel unaccepted because they do not have the things that others may have, i.e., Jordan brand kicks, iPhone, or even their own car at 18 years of age. This causes a level of depression and anxiety that should not be. Even if your economic status or portfolio doesn't mirror that of an NBA athlete, PGA star, Soccer star, one should never be made to feel inferior to another human. This leper faced many challenges as the community of faith and society that once cared and even tolerated him turned their backs on him. His community would rather see his suffering than salute him and resolve his issue.

Finally, he does the unthinkable and breaks all protocols and laws instituted by the church and makes his way to Jesus. He wanted community so desperately that he is found “begging” for healing. Jesus, breaking all protocols touched him and declared “be thou clean.” This is powerful because this leper is afforded the precious moment to be reunited with family and friends. Jesus accepts this man, but He also gives this man a place to belong. My earnest plea is that we never turn anyone away no matter what they may be facing, but that we always give them the blessed assurance that they are accepted by Jesus Himself!

CHALLENGE!

What are you doing to make sure that all are accepted in the body of Christ? Connect with likeminded believers and create opportunities for those who feel rejected by Christ and the Church to experience HIS love either for the first time or again and pass it on to others.

My name is Mike Mison, I come from a mixed parentage of Morobe in Papua New Guinea, of Kabwum and Markham (Wantoat). I am 26 now, was 24 when I completed my tertiary education in Papua New Guinea University of Technology and graduated under the department of Lands & Surveying specialized in Geographic Information Science (GIS) in 2020.

In February, 2021, I visited the office Development Agency of Lutheran church of Papua New Guinea known as Lutheran Development Service (LDS) or formarly known Yangpela Didiman (YD) just to visit my uncle who was working and was part of a team of junior engineers who were working and designing twenty two water supply projects in the Tewae Siassi District funded by the Government of the district by leader, Hon: Dr Kobby Bomorio who is currently the Housing Minister for Papua New Guinea.

So my uncle, Steven Solon took me into the group and introduced me to the secretary of the Association, Mr. Bornie Keoka and asked me to observe at the first day, and he further more introduced my course of study to the secretary, that’s when they needed someone to help them identify places and locations, source of waters so I stepped in help, that’s when I become part of the team of the junior engineers which made up three civil engineers, a food scientist and now myself.

After completing the design and proposal we submitted and waited for funding until November, 2021 the office called us in to begin work, as we were posted to Siassi Island particularly the island of Lokep.

The island of Lokep is made up of 2000 plus population consist of four villagers surrounding the small island. There were Lutherans and Living rock churches. Living rock church worship on Sabbath, but their style or pattern of worship is similar to EBC, church.

It happened that on Sabbath I went to church with Living Rock church. They have lamp shelters in Mulau and Tul. Because they are outside of our world, no network coverage, poor health facilities, run down schools they insisted me to tell them stories about covid-19, since it was a sensitive issue during that period.

After the fellowship, the Pastor told me that I will be taking the next Sabbath main service Program. Therefore, due to work we went and slept 11 kilometers away from the church. I woke up early as 5 oclock preparing myself and stated waling at 7 o’clock and arrived at Mulau, the church at 11:00 am. But they wait patiently, I went and took the main service.

I explain Sabbath in detail before taking the service to the 50 plus members who attended the church .Surprisingly, the pastor told the members that they will have to change from Living Rock to Seventh Day Adventist. And the members requested for bibles and old lessons.

After arriving back from the island, the FISIKA Adventist Association contributed Bibles, old lesson books as I took them and went back to the island and distributed to them.

The following shows some of the photos taken with family after the fellowship:

It is not uncommon for young people to go through a time when they deliberate if they want to continue following and practicing the spiritual beliefs of their parents or family. There is an innate internal need to decide, “What I believe” rather than to declare, “What my parents believe.” It is part of the growing-up process for everyone. Each young person has their unique perspectives and insights as to what makes sense to them spiritually. Their individualized journey to personal faith is a life-long experience.

How we, as family, friends, and church leaders, respond to each young person in their quest for spiritual life, is crucial. Their decision if they will stay in a relationship with us and stick around, or if they will walk away is—to a large extent—in our hands. Their beliefs and the practices they develop can take them away or can keep them closer to us. If they stay connected, then we are thankful and enriched; if they drift away or outright rebel, then we are sorrowful and broken-hearted. However, as friends and leaders, we can still stay connected with them even if they walk away. We do not have to let them go. We can continue reaching out in love and care, showing them interest. We can continue giving them time and attention in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them. We will NOT let our friends go. We will GO after them and continue to nurture friendships with them!

Solomon said, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 NKJV). Proverbs goes on to say, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV). Jesus modeled friendship and staying close to those whom others thought He should not be around. “Then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'” (Luke 15:1-2 NKJV). Notice that Jesus did not expect this group of people to come to the synagogue to hear him teach or preach. Rather He met them in their places and spaces and their timeframes to share His love and care for them. We can do this too if we are intentional about loving our friends who may not think or act like us.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NKJV). And then He showed us what he meant by this when He literally laid down his life for His friends – meaning – for us. We too can share love with others as Jesus did. We may not be called to give up our life for another, but we may be called to give up our time and attention for others. We may be called to devote our lives to lovingly pursue those who may not be following Jesus. We can GO! We will GO!

Fisika Adventist Students Association has donated literature to support new work area in Tolokiwa (Lokep) island, Siassi Morobe Province. Tolokiwa (Lokep) Island is located in the Bismark Archipelago. One of our member Mike Mison has travel to the island on a work scheduled has he came across small group of Sabbath keeping people on the island, he encourage them and also recognize their need of literature. Returning back to Lae Mike share the experience with the Fisika students Lae based and they come with some donations of literature to support these little group.