A month ago our family was hiking up an island mountain emerging out of the sea at one of the most northern points in Papua New Guinea. Even though the elevation wasn’t that high, being nearly right on the equator under a bright tropical sun made the conditions intense. The boat ride to the island had gone well and despite Kylee recovering from being sick and needing to be carried for half of the 6½ hour hike and the mud on parts of the trail wanting to swallow our shoes, the hike went well too.
Our missionary friends working in that tribe were the reason we had gone. He and his daughter met us on the coast and hiked with us back up to their home in the village. They are now teaching the people how to read and write and are preparing lessons for teaching God’s Word. What a mountaintop experience for us to be able to be with them and help them just a little bit in this huge process that is before them.
Now a month later, we are anticipating another mountaintop experience. This one however requires no hike and is at sea level in the village just a quarter mile from where we live. For months another group of Patpatar people have been studying through God’s Word led by myself and some other Patpatar believers. The message has been building 3 times a week from the Old Testament through the Gospels. This Friday, the climax of the Gospel message – the death, burial, and resurrection will be presented!
Please pray for the Patpatar people who have been hearing the message that they will be there and that they will place their trust in Christ alone. Please pray for Nathaniel who will be teaching from God’s Word that day, that God will use his words in a mighty way. It is not a big group, but we continue to be excited how God is giving opportunity for His family to grow in number here among the Patpatar.
In the month between these two mountaintop experiences, a lot has taken place. Of the groups that are doing Bible studies, one group finished the study for “new Believers” to ground them in their faith. Now they are getting ready to study through Acts and learn about the church. Another group finished Galatians and are still marveling at the freedom that has been given to them in Christ. The group of Bible teachers finished an initial study of 1 Timothy and will begin to work on lessons to teach the church. The study of the Book of Daniel and Revelation continues along with the translation of Old Testament portions.
Aside from that, Avalon turned 14 and came back from the States after a summer spent with her grandparents. My mom was able to accompany her back to the village and we have been enjoying a week of her company with us. Briella turned 2 and continues to thrive. Kylee mastered riding a bike, Sierra did her first cross stich, Lori redid her office, and I got a boil. What a month!
Aaron
Fact – 1. Breadfruit pre-cooked in the fire, then mashed with shredded coconut, wrapped with a leaf and thrown on hot rocks to finishing cooking. 2. A Sago Palm Tree cut down split open and the soft insides of the trunk scraped out, washed, shredded, kneaded and cooked. Had them? Neither had my mom until this week. We try to provide our visitors with the best of the local delights.
