We are well into 2009 now, and we are so very thankful for the ways God blessed our family and His ministry to the Patpatar people.
Our journey in 2008 began with Aaron beginning to write Bible lessons and meeting with our church planting consultant in January. This was an exciting time, as began writing Bible lessons in order to teach the Patpatar people chronologically through the Bible.
In February Aaron’s sister came and lived with us for 3 months. During this time she assisted us so that Lori had more time for ministry, and was a huge blessing as her big smile and loving heart was a witness to the Patpatar. During March we had a meeting (which included a feast) with some of the Patpatar people expressing once again our reason for coming and plans for things to come. We reiterated our reasons for being in their place. We emphasized the fact that we had three jobs to do: Literacy, Bible teaching, and Bible translation, and told them that we were now ready to begin the work for these things. We also asked for their help as we prepared for the Bible teaching.
In May school was finished up with Avalon, and we found that there was now more time for Lori to do ministry type things. Lori’s sights were turned to language learning as well as the task of Literacy. In June, Lori took an evaluation finding that she had made progress but still has more work to do as far as learning the Patpatar language.
July was conference time this year and we were blessed to have Aaron’s parents come to be with us for some time during conference as well as afterward. We had a great time with them and 3 of Aaron’s brothers! We were made aware of some challenges Kylee was having as far as growth. We praise the Lord that she is now gaining in her height, and things seem to be headed in the right direction for her.
The first part of August was the beginning of our adventure with teaching through the Bible from Creation to Christ! It was a very exciting time, and as many of you know, we now have a church made up of Patpatar believers in Christ! During this time Avalon also began 3rd grade, and Sierra started her school career! She’s now in Kindergarten!!
During that 3 ½ months our family found it a challenge to get done all that we had to get done. We left our house every morning at 7:30 am and would not return until around 10:30 in the morning at which time Avalon and Sierra would begin school. School went until late in the afternoon when it was time to begin supper. Aaron and Lori would work after supper on the house, home school things, and Bible lessons. We would go to bed, and get up and do it all over again the next day.
After the teaching ended in December, our partners took a break, and we stayed with the new believers!!! What a privilege to be with these babies in Christ! It was incredible, challenging, and encouraging all at the same time.
Right after Christmas, our year ended with a much needed break to Australia for 2 weeks. We were blessed to have Aaron’s brother and his wife as well as our nephew join us. It was very refreshing. After some meetings in another area of Papua New Guinea, we came home the end of January, and now have started another teaching of Creation to Christ in the neighboring village….more to come on that!
We are so thankful for each and every one of you!!! There are so many of you that have written to us and encouraged us. Many of you don’t know who you are because we haven’t written back, but it is most certainly not because we take your encouragement for granted. We realize we could not be here without your prayers and encouragement. There would not be a Patpatar church without you praying to move the hand of God, and ministering to us, his privileged servants.
So much has happened…..our kids are growing like weeds, Avalon is learning to write reports for school, Sierra is well into reading, and Kylee is running around with her mischievous grin not only getting into things, but also helping to pick messes up. She’s great at it! J Our family is so thankful for you all, and for God’s provision through you. Thank you so very much! We praise God for a WONDERFUL year in 2008!
With Love to you all, and praise to God for His Faithfulness, Lori for the family
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