Church pays tribute to German missionary

In announcing her passing, Head Bishop, Reverend Dr Jack Urame, said Horndasch came to Papua New Guinea in 1957 and worked as a missionary in the Evangelical Lutheran Church for many years.

Born on March 3^rd, 1931, in Berlin, the former German missionary was a driving force in the establishment of the ELCPNG’s ‘Wokmeri Treining Skul’, which first started in Sattelberg, Finschhafen, in Morobe Province.

She spent more than 50 years as a religious education teacher and later, as a senior expert, in Papua New Guinea, paying special attention to rural women.

“She dedicated her life to the work of God and started the women’s work in our church. Through her service, she made a tremendous contribution to women’s ministry in ELCPNG,” said the head bishop.

“Her work bears a lot of fruit which remains till today. We deeply appreciate and acknowledge her dedicated service to the church.

“On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, we convey to the families, relatives and friends of late Mrs Irmgard Horndasch our heart-felt condolences.

“We also extend the deep sorrow from our ELCPNG women. We share with you the sorrow and pain of a servant of the Lord who gave her life for God’s people in Papua New Guinea for many years.

“May God comfort you and strengthen you in this time of sadness and sorrow.

“As we share the pain of the loss with you, we also take this opportunity to thank her family and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria for sending her to serve as a missionary in the ELCPNG.

“We are thankful for this lively partnership between ELCPNG and ELCB which enables the service of many missionaries like late Mrs. Horndasch over the years.

“We thank God for the gift of her life and for the many blessings she shared with us.

“The peace of the Lord be with you all now and always.”

The late Horndasch passed peacefully at her home in Neuendettelsau, Germany.