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