Author: Tom

Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs

Ministry is messy. Things are not as black and white as they are in training or in theory. This is not only because we are working with flawed and human people, but because WE ourselves are flawed and human. This is why we desperately go before the Lord in dependent prayer, entrusting this work and […]
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So, Now What?

So, Now What?

Its been about three months since the Tigak church grew a little in number as the conclusion of the chronological, evangelistic Bible teaching took place explaining the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and the way of salvation through faith in Him. After the dust settled on this exciting time, the new believers […]
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Pirate Princess

Pirate Princess

“What’s wrong with Iris’ eyes? Is she cross-eyed?” The question came from the sweet little daughter of a fellow missionary, squinting up into the sun at Iris as I held her. Her innocent little question was not the first time I had heard it and only echoed what we ourselves had been wondering about Iris […]
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Regional Conference 2013

Regional Conference 2013

“I guess I’ll eat this…” I said holding out a candy bar, a container of cole slaw and some cheeto-like chips. Beth laughed of course, but we both knew it was time to head back to our island so we needed to “go big or go home” in terms of eating all the junk food […]
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Sludge & Solar

Sludge & Solar

It just couldn’t wait. For about five months our drains were not draining properly, our washer would spin out and water would come pouring off our porch like a waterfall leaving drenched wood and a lake of bubbles under the house, any time any amount of water over half a gallon would try to drain, […]
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New to the Family!!!

New to the Family!!!

We had been waiting to hear it all morning and then there it was… the togui. Paska blew the conch shell (“togui”), the weekly signal to everyone who attends our gathering on Sunday that it was time for us to start. This was the day, the day that months of teaching had led up too, […]
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Angasik Lavu

Angasik Lavu

Angasik Lavu means “big help” in Tigak and is what we are looking forward to receiving in July of this year! Mid-July is my sister-in-law Debi (Tom’s sister) and her husband Russell will be making the oh-so-long treck here to our world in PNG to offer us this very wonderful thing: BIG HELP! We are […]
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In Remembrance of Me

In Remembrance of Me

“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” -Luke 22:19 Last night our family had the Passover Seder (a shortened and modified version). It was a little late, but fit nicely with […]
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So-Called Missionary Call

So-Called Missionary Call

I don’t believe in the “missionary call.” Well, at least as it is classically understood as a special, unique or personal calling that an individual receives directly from the Lord as confirmation that he or she is to become a missionary. A lot of people expect when you are a missionary that you can provide […]
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Paska’s Octopus Stir-Fry Recipe

Paska’s Octopus Stir-Fry Recipe

One of my good friends, who is also one of our Bible teachers, Paska, is famous around our island for his octopus stir-fry (known as “urita stiu”). After all, he is the only one who hunts and cooks octopus! I remember the first time he wanted me to try it. It was when we were […]
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