 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Who would have thought that two teenagers' friendship at school could lead to such amazing things? It all began in 2013, a year that turned out to be far from ordinary. In the hallways and classrooms, bullies with their abuses and physical tirades were a common sight. School seemed like a tiny kingdom for tyrant kids to rule, and little Renagi Va'a was one of their frequent victims.
Renagi, a timid teenager from Hula in the central province, had suffered at the hands of bullies since he was six years old. His introversion and frailty made him an easy target, until one day, a boy named Zechariah David Moses couldn't bear to witness the tyranny any longer. Zechariah wasn't tough or older, nor was he muscular, but he possessed something far more powerful – a courageous heart driven by love.
Zechariah, the son of Pastor David Moses and Ruth Moses, hailed from the freezing high mountains of Enga in the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea. He and Renagi were worlds apart in terms of skin color, culture, and language, but fate had brought them together in the same classroom. Zechariah's brave intervention against the bullies marked the beginning of a friendship that would grow steadily.
As their bond deepened, Renagi couldn't contain his excitement and would frequently share stories about his friendship with the Highlander with his parents, Brian and Illa. Likewise, Zechariah would narrate all the happenings at school and talk about his coastal friend to his parents, Pastor David and Ruth Moses. One fine day, Pastor David and Ruth Moses had an idea that would bring the families together. They suggested that Renagi join them for a Sunday service at their church, the Erima Antioch Christian Apostolic Fellowship.
Little Zechariah was thrilled by the invitation and wasted no time in extending it to Renagi. Hearing so much about Renagi's relationship with this courageous Highlander, Brian and Illa couldn't resist and allowed Renagi to accompany Zechariah and his family to church. Renagi's first Sunday at Erima Antioch Christian Apostolic Fellowship Church was an unforgettable experience, and he expressed his desire to attend more often. Before long, Renagi became a member of the church and his and Zechariah's relationship grew stronger as they shared both their school and church lives.
Seeing Renagi's dedication to attending church piqued the curiosity of Brian and Illa. They wanted to know where their son was going for church and who these people were that Renagi called his friends. So, one afternoon, they made the decision to visit Pastor David and Ruth Moses' family home at five miles in Port Moresby. The unexpected visit caught the Moses family by surprise, but as Brian explained that they were Renagi's parents, something magical happened.
From that moment, one thing led to another, and Brian and Illa found themselves deeply touched by the kindness and good hearts of Pastor David and Ruth Moses' family. Their encounter led to a life-changing decision as Brian and Illa decided to follow Christ. In 2016, they were baptized during a week-long crusade at the Koni CAF Church in Port Moresby. Inspired by their newfound faith, they made up their minds to bring CAF Church to their beautiful village in Hula, located in the Central Province of Papua New Guinea.
Hula was a village dominated by the United Church, SDA, and a few other mainline churches. Introducing CAF Church there would be a groundbreaking endeavor. However, individuals like Pastor David Moses, Pastor Monak Alapai, Pastor Jimson Sauk, and many others were determined not to let the opportunity slip away. They envisioned lives being transformed for Christ in Hula and dedicated their time, efforts, money, and resources to prayerfully establish a church.
Today, standing at a spot that was once a graveyard, a magnificent church graces the village of Hula. It can accommodate between 60 to 100 Christians, and Pastor John Wai leads the congregation today. The picture above captures the two young friends whose friendship sparked the birth of this remarkable church. During the opening of the church in 2021, they were prayed over, their lives forever intertwined with this symbol of faith.
Our prayers go out to these two young souls, that they may be blessed now and in their future endeavors. We also extend our prayers to the families of Pastor David and Ruth Moses and Brian and Illa, who experienced a profound transformation through the power of friendship. May God's blessings also be upon Pastor Munak and all those who contributed, both big and small, to the building of the church in Hula. May God alone reward them for their selfless dedication.
The story of Renagi and Zechariah teaches us that from the simplest acts of kindness and bravery, incredible journeys can unfold. It reminds us that the perfect plan of God works in mysterious ways, bringing together unlikely friends and transforming lives. Let us celebrate the power of friendship and faith, for in the midst of ordinary days, extraordinary miracles can happen.
Disclaimer: No proper interview has been conducted on the Kids and their parents, and as well the story does not contain all the details. It is just the brief based on testimonies shared by the parents of both kids during the Church Opening. A detailed article can be published later after profound interviews.
