We’ve been updating you on some of the things going on in our ministry here among the Patpatar, but what about our family? What’s up with that man and his beautiful wife surrounded by 4 blonde girls living in the jungles of PNG?
Aaron – Having been on a few international trips the last year to help lead workshops for missionaries, he has now been able to stay put in the Patpatar and concentrate on the work there for the last several months. His main role is still teaching and discipling, but is also still involved in translation and lesson writing. He loves the fact that others are being equipped to take on these roles as well. After a long week of work, he loves to go snorkeling with his family out on the reef.
Lori – Just finished another year of homeschooling. The grades are compiled, the work is done. Lori has also turned over the new literacy program to our co-worker and the Patpatar believers, though she still helps with decisions in the program. She continues to disciple the Patpatar woman and most recently has been in the area of marriage. She has even started an account on Facebook.
Briella – Now approaching two years old, our under 3 pound baby is now over 6 times heavier than those early days. Though still not huge she has an incredible screamL. She is a bundle of energy who runs, dances, climbs stairs, babbles, loves books and buckets, and likes to “looloo” – shake hands with her Patpatar friends.
Kylee – Our little 7 year old was the smallest one in her 1st grade class (she was also the only one, but she would’ve probably been the smallest in a big class as well). She is in the midst of her first bout with malaria, but we appreciate how tough she is. She works so hard to try to help us out, but can’t wait to escape and play. She is growing in her relationship as God’s child.
Sierra – Our now “6th grader” has impressed us with her maturity. She is a servant and has a heart of compassion for God and others. Though quiet and calm in her personality, her sisters have a way of bringing out the other side at times. Her Patpatar friends and her are often found gathering and breaking open coconuts to scrape out the meat and squeeze the out the milk for Mom’s recipes.
Avalon – Growing taller every day and turning into a young lady we see so much potential in how God is and will be using Avalon. As part of the raising of our daughter and equipping her to one day be on her own, we are taking an initial step by having her spend the summer with her grandparents in the USA. Familiar ground, familiar family, and friends she knows is a good starting place for later transitions that won’t be as familiar. Lori and Briella will be headed back home with her this week. Mom and baby get to stay for two weeks and then Avalon will be left to stay for another couple months. So for the next little while our family will be separated by a few continents.
Chile’ and Cookie – Oh yeah…the pets. We are now the proud owners of a “Purple-bellied Lory” and a “PNG kapul”. Need I say more? Go ahead, Google it.
The family