Hello from Papua New Guinea, Thank you to each one of you who give, pray, and encourage us so we can be here to help plant churches in PNG. The Lord is working and people are coming to know Jesus. A few weeks ago, a Mengen man came to know the Lord. There has been a church in that tribe for a number of years, but after observing the believers, he saw that the Gospel message was real and he wanted it. Another language group, Siar, the missionaries started teaching about God for the first time in the Siar language July 5th. Pray for the missionaries that the Lord would protect them, give them strength and wisdom. Pray for the Siar people that they would understand the truth and accept it. Two weeks ago, Aaron went into the Nakanai tribe and gave Ben the missionary, his final language and culture evaluation! Yeah! He is now ready to start translating Bible lessons into Nakanai. They will go on home assignment before they begin teaching, but it won’t be long and another tribe will hear the message of salvation in their language!
Our kids are on school break and enjoying a more relaxed schedule. Rachel is reviewing her Algebra 1 this summer so she will be prepared to take Algebra 2 this fall. She missed the first one due to be being on home assignment a year ago. She also has been babysitting, and Rachel and Micah helped with inventory in our supply department. Last week Aaron took Rachel, Micah, Joel and some friends from center to a WWII site. I am trying to balance their time with work and fun, as all fun usually ends up with not so good results.
We have been through some major changes in the last two months which has been rather difficult. Our missionary school here is now closed down, due to lack of teachers and an administrator. The options for next year are to home school, send Rachel and Micah to the mainland into a dorm, or do a home school co-op. We, along with 4 other families, chose the home school co-op. We do have one elementary teacher, and also 1 high school teacher who will be teaching in this home school coop. We are so grateful for these 2 teachers who are willing to stay and help us with our kids’ education. For English and History, the oldest 2 need to use a home school curriculum, but other than that we can use the resources here. This has been a learning curve for Aaron and I, making sure that whatever our 2 high school kids do, will be accredited. Thank goodness for the internet!
Another change is that 2 of our leaders have stepped down. We greatly admire and respect these men who have been such a blessing in our lives. We are thankful that they want to continue on here in different ministries.
As a result of the changes here, it affects our ministries as well. I (Erika) may not be working in the library next year, or if I do it will be less than before. I will be helping out where I can in our home school co-op. Aaron also has an added role due to less men in leadership during this time. He, along with 2 other men, have been asked to be on a Center team to oversee certain aspects of our center here. Please pray for us as we are facing new things this coming year.
PRAY
- Siar and Nakanai men, women and children to come to know Him.
- Wisdom in schooling our children next year.
- For teachers and an administrator.
- For the school to reopen in one year.
- For us to rest in God, and to be an encouragement to our co-workers.
PRAISE
- For the 2 teachers who are here to help with the homeschooling.
- Health and safety this last year.
- New believers.