Its only good that I write again today, saying that life here is not all hard and bad. Truth is that there is much good too to missionary life…and sometimes missionaries have the funnest times! We don’t always write this because you don’t want your supporters to see that you sometimes buy a cuppachino with their money…and that you are able to go on an outing! Today I will share some of these blessings, I will share some things I am very grateful for and intertwined you will see how we are doing with some family news.
One thing that struck me most this past month is how God knows what we need, when we need it…
We flew out of the bush on March 16. After days and days of rain, there was enough sun that morning to get us out of the jungle…into “civilization”. My kids were scurrying around to find t-shirts that smells the least mouldy and it was time for make up and perfume again- because we are going to the support centre!!!
And then we got to our guesthouse. Becky, our co worker, is in Canada at the moment and gave us her house to stay in for free…what a blessing- the generosity of fellow missionaries! To not worry about guesthouse rent, means we can support the new grocery store in town better…Andersons with its good food!!! What will a break be for this missionary if you cant go to a good grocery store and find some Dijon Mustard again, nice bread that I don’t have to bake and they even had Diet Ginger Ale, not to mention Smoked cheese… Now I don’t know how long stock will last but we will enjoy it while it is available!!!
Now waiting for our annual conference to start, we had lots of time to visit with good friends living here on our support centre and catch up with them…God new I needed “friends” and that is what he gave me… serious heart
to heart chats, the best homemade cinnamon rolls ever, laughing until your mouth goes into spasm, and just learning from their Godly lifestyle. I feel I am challenged about a few things…
Now the other day someone asked me if there is also “arguments” when we missionaries get together…well, truth is, we are all very different, here we have the nice South African couple… some Americans, Dutch, Germans, adult MK’s (Missionary Kids who grew up here), Canadians, UK -ers, Mexicans, this fruit salad of missionaries do sometimes have a piece that tastes sour…but all in all, it is good. Variety is the spice of life! We do differ in opinion, and in ways of saying things, but we have enough in common (all believers) to make things work. And I am thankful for the word “sorry”, one can fix a lots with this!!!
Then finally- the 2016 Annual Conference, with the theme of “Discipleship”- which I thought was very appropriate as this is something the Lord has continually brought over Lourens and I’s path the last few months… in the bush, discipeling the Mengen believers, making disciples of our kids, looking out for our fellow missionary friends here on the Island… I appreciate Brooks’ wisdom in all of this. Brooks is a fellow missionary on the main Island- being a missionary himself for many years, he knew what he is talking about. How to be a disciple and then to make one. I am thankful for the encouragement from God’s Word.
Now after conference was Home school testing time… the time where all MK’s get tested to see if we are on track with home-schooling… and it went very well…even my little Liam did well in his Grade 1 testing- even though the American money in his test was a different color than the printed ones we have in the bush…Liam, Liam… and proud of Marlou and Naomi who did excellent and Madeleen who is a hard worker too…thankful to God that Homeschooling pays off…Needles to say, here on base our kids have friends galore…what a blessing!
And while here on centre we received some packages!!! One of my favorite perks of being a missionary!!! Lize decided she is too rushed to get the package here and DHL it to us $$$$!!!! And Peet decided we missionaries should have some chocolate and good Ausie coffee for all our get togethers…thankful for supporters, who know that missionaries needs treats. And yes- there are more packages on their way… we cant wait!!!
I even had a care package from another SA family whose husband is a pilot with MAF and they are living on the main Islands…good South African care from another missionary…
Since before our furlough, Lourens is being trained as a “Church Planting Consultant”…Since we are here on the centre and have easier access to other tribal locations, Lourens is using his time to fly out to other tribes and get some training in this… thankful for opportunities to be an encouragement to other missionaries here in PNG…
In town we have a new “coffee shop” called Apple Mango! In the midsts of a reall third world town, this place is so nice and way to good for its third world surroundings. An amazing treat to the missionary lady who needs a taste of home… love their cuppachinos!
And another very nice thing we did yesterday, was an outing, boat trip to a small little Island for a picnic…and on the way back we went through rain, being wet, on a speeding boat, man- don’t think I have ever felt so cold in PNG. Luckily we could just get into the warm, bath tub ocean water…we do for free what most of you will pay LOTS of money for… Nice!!!
A big thank you too for all the mails and FB messages of encouragement the past few months. We are not forgotten! Truth is we are loved and prayed for!!! Also we are grateful for financial gifts, BIG and small, that keeps us here…
Looks like I have more to the thankful for than to complain about. Thank you Lord for seasons of everything…
Marie