What is going on?

I’m back from Papua New Guinea! What an incredible, whirlwind journey it was—full of family, friends, and reconnecting with my brothers and sisters in the Lord from the Patpatar people. It was a hectic time, with a week being the longest that I was anywhere consecutively and I can’t wait to share some of the highlights with you!

A Long-Awaited Homecoming

My first stop was Goroka in the highlands, where I reunited with my family—most of whom I hadn’t seen in a year and a half! There I was able to see teachers, friends, and places that I had not visited since I had graduated high school five years ago. I experienced the monsoon rain of the rainy season which made it feel like a true homecoming. And of course, no Christmas would be complete without our family tradition—baking Christmas cookies! (Though, unfortunately, I also picked up a pesky cold that was making the rounds.)

Returning to My Roots

Next, we made our way to New Ireland, the island where I grew up. Before heading into the tribe, we stocked up on supplies in town, then traveled to two key locations.

The Mountain Church – Our first stop was a church planted by a Patpatar elder. We lived alongside the believers, sharing meals, encouragement, and even bathing in the river!
Bom Village – My Childhood Home – Christmas brought us to the place where I spent nearly fifteen years of my life. A believers’ conference was taking place, and it was a time of fellowship, laughter, worship, and encouragement. It was encouraging and joyful to see the Church growing and thriving, and I was grateful that my memory of the Pataratar language came back enough to join in conversations!

Bittersweet Goodbyes & A New Year’s Celebration

After saying goodbyes to precious brothers and sisters in Christ, my family packed up and began our journey back to the mountains of PNG. We spent time visiting a supply town where I grew up and got to spend New Year’s there.

Back in Goroka, we had our family Christmas celebration, exchanged gifts, and prepared for my younger sisters to start school again. During my final week, I had the privilege of hosting an MK Care event, where we connected with high schoolers through games and snacks, reminding them that MK Care is always available. I also got to help my dad with a special photo project for his office.

Then, just like that, it was time for tearful goodbyes. I boarded my flight back to the States grateful for all that I experienced.

Want to See More? Let’s Connect!

I’d love to share more stories, photos, and reflections from my time in PNG.
Check out my Instagram here for snapshots of the trip.
Want to hear more? Let’s chat! Reply to this email here to set up a time to call, grab a coffee, or just exchange stories.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support throughout this journey. It means the world to me!

Looking forward…

This next month is going to be hectic! I have several big events that are happening. I get to be a part of a mission trip to Roach, Missouri. This trip is for the renovation of the Ethnos360 MK Care building on the missions training center in Missouri. This renovation will allow for offices, debriefing rooms, and areas for MK events to be built and updated so that the space MK Care has can be best utilized for serving missionary kids and their families. I will also be moving in February. My plan is to update you all more on where, why, and what the purpose is for my move in my next newsletter.

“You know you’re an MK when…

You have had your passport before your driver’s license
Airports feel like a second home to you
Rain on a tin roof is one of your favorite sounds”

Prayer Requests and Praises

Prayer Requests:

Focus and energy to accomplish goals for the next month
That I will be able to share the importance of missions with the Awana class I get to speak at
For packing, transitioning, and saying “See you later” as I move
For the ability to communicate well

Praise:

For safe travels from one side of the globe to the other and back
For time with family
The ability to visit the Church my parents planted that I grew up in
Friends and family who love, support, and pray for me
Resources and people who encourage and help me in my ministry and day to day life

I am currently at 59% average of my monthly support!

I am so thankful for those who have partnered with me financially and I am overwhelmed by the amount of people who are keeping me in their prayers. Thank you for partnering with me in prayer! I know that without those who are a part of my team, both in prayer and finance, I could not be moving forward with what the Lord has for me.

If you are interested in giving, you can scan the QR code or click the button at the bottom of this letter and it will take you to where you can partner financially. If you have questions or would like to know more about what I’m doing, I would love to meet with you! Ways to connect with me through email or phone are at the bottom of the letter and I would love the opportunity to get to share with you what the Lord is doing and how you can be involved!

Other ways you can be involved:

Prayer! I appreciate and treasure the fact that I have people praying for me.
Opening your home as a place where I can present my ministry. I would love to share with you and others about what the Lord is doing!
Interested in my prayer card? I would be happy to send you one, email or text me your mailing address.
Invite your friends or family to subscribe to this newsletter. CLICK HERE!
If you go to a different church than I do, and they are looking to take on a missionary, reach out to me and I would love to connect with you about that!
If you have other ideas I would love to hear them!

I am new here… who are you?

If I have not had the opportunity to meet you or interact with you, welcome! My name is Avalon Luse and I am serving with Ethnos360 as a part of MK Care, which serves missionary kids and their families so that the gospel can go out to all people.

I grew up as a missionary kid overseas in Papua New Guinea. Starting when I was one-year old until I graduated high school when I was nineteen. This experience gave me a passion for missions and a heart for missionary kids. If you are interested in more of my story checkout my website using the QR code in the connect with me section.