MY DEAR FRIEND IS ENJOYING HEAVEN!! By Gerald Bustin
Wednesday, October 28,2009As I made my way with my father across the vine bridge spanning the mighty Kaugel river, in the Highlands of New Guinea, and walked the last two miles up to the Kauapena Mission Station, I did not know that I would soon be meeting a real Giant—— Pastor Kandulopi! He was not tall or big or loud and boisterous but he was a faith-giant! Just ten years before my arrival in 1958, my father had entered Kandulopi’s village and had shared the Gospel with the tribal people. Kandulopi, who was just a teenager at the time, had been among the first to believe on Jesus. Within those ten years, he had gone from being a young illiterate Christian to becoming a “Pastor” who could read the Pidgin English language and devoured the Gospel of Mark (The only portion of the Bible available in Pidgin back then). He was the pastor of the Tona village church in 1958. Many times I stopped by his church to preach and share the gospel with his people. Even though, I was just a teenager, myself (14), he treated me with respect and always gave me a chance to preach. In those days he was one of our best translators from Pidgin to the tribal languages. Many times, before I learned the tribal language, he translated for me and I remember looking over at him as he spoke. The hole through his nose was a reminder of his old life, but the passion in his voice was evidence of the power of faith and grace working in his new life! In 1960 he traveled with me to the Wiru valley, (we walked the 50 miles from Kauapena) and together we took the Gospel to villagers who had never heard. On two occasions we confronted the powers of witchcraft together and were victorious over all the power of the enemy. As the General Director of EBM, I helped to organize the 50th anniversary celebrations for EBM and brought Pastor Kandulopi and his friend, Pastor Serowa, over to EBM’s camp meeting in March of 1990. EBM’s founder, G.T. Bustin, was here to celebrate with us and told the story of going into the Pabarabuk area as Pastor Kandulopi stood by his side weeping and uttering joyful “Hallelujah’s!” Just last year, May of 2008, I had the privilege to being with Pastor Kandulopi again. I picked him up at his village and took him in the Land Crusier with me to the Pabarabuk station. On the way he began a passionate testimony telling of how G.T. Bustin, came to his village and how Jesus changed his life. I quickly switched on my video camcorder and began recording what may have been his last recorded words. “God bilong mi em i no mani, na samting bilong graun. Nogat! God bilong mi em i God bilong Abraham, Isaac, na Jacob, na God bilong G.T Bustin, na God bilong Gerald Bustin na EBM!” Translated: “My God is not money or the things of this earth! My God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and G.T. Bustin, and Gerald Bustin, and EBM!” He remained a loyal friend to myself and EBM until his dying day. God Bless his memory. The whole Bustin family joins me in expressing our fond memories of our dear friend and our prayers are for all his family members during this
Thank you Brother Gerald for your kind tribute to my father and words of comfort for our family.
Soon after breakfast on 23 October 2009, we sang happy birthday to my first born son Sydney and phoned my father to let him know that my boy had turned 15. Someone else answered the phone saying that papa (Kandulopi) was too weak to sit up and speak but he acknowledged the message and wished the boy well.
Later that evening around 7.30 pm I received news that papa had gone home to be with his Master. By son’s birthday will always remind us of papa’s passing.
I bought a suit in Brisbane to wear at his funeral and began the sad journey home. Upon arrival in Port Moresby, I called my sisters in Mt. Hagen letting them know that I was in the country and was coming home the next day. They had been searching for new clothes for papa but the shops in town had no black trousers and white shirt that would fit him! I bought a shirt and a pair of black pants in Moresby to take them home with me. We then found out that there was no new coat to put on him. We wanted to see him off as a preacher in his best attire but the coat was missing. A thought quickly came to my mind that I should give him my new suit which I did which fit him perfectly. I could almost hear him say; “I wanted you to have me prepared for my burial.” I felt a little like what Joseph of Arimathea could have felt when he ‘lent’ the Son of God his new tomb, probably knowing who Jesus really was.
I then asked those at home for papa’s last words. Jacob, papa’s minder in his final days said that that evening papa asked them to dress him up to be prepared. A few minutes later he asked Jacob to raise him up on his bed. When Jacob raised his upper body papa uttered his last words: “Gote okomo” or ‘God is coming’ and took his final breath. What Papa heard or had seen at that moment must have been astounding. Many pastors and Christians later said that this was a case where God did not send angels but came Himself to receive His servant. Only God knows.
Papa was laid to rest at his family home on 30 October 2009. I am privileged to have been a son to Pastor Kandulopi and thank the Bustin family for your prayers and support during our time of grief but above all, for taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to New Guinea. Your friend surely is enjoying heaven and so is his friend, GT. What a reunion!
John
Comment by John Kandulopi — October 8, 2010 @ 2:52 am