January 2010
Dear Praying Friends,
Wow, is 2009 already past? It surely doesn’t seem possible. Life in PNG has been very busy and I wonder sometimes how I would cope with the busyness back home. I guess I will soon find out, as furlough is fast approaching. And this furlough will be my last as a part of the team for NTM in PNG.
I have been a number of places with in PNG over the past sixteen years. I have visited the highlands several times and find them breathtaking. (Literally. It takes me a good two weeks to be able to breathe easily going up and down the side of the mountain at 5000 ft,) But there really is no place like this in my past experience. PNG is a land of many cultures and much variation.
I have visited the tribes a number of times as well and had the pleasure of seeing the translation completed and presented to the church among the MYU people.
What a pleasure and joy to see the New Testament in the hands of eight different people groups over the years. What exceeding joy to know that there are now brothers and sisters in Christ among these tribal people groups as well.
Sixteen years is a long time to live in a place, it becomes a part of your heart and it will be difficult to say goodbye to all who have become family here. I have seen so much here from the different trees and flowers which make up this land of the unexpected, to the different geographic features of mountains and coastal flats.
But the overwhelming impact on my heart, which I will take home with me are the memories of the people. Treasured brothers and sisters in Christ, both among my co-workers and among the tribal churches, will be in my heart and in my prayers forever. I am not certain how I will be able to board the plane this last time, knowing that I will not be returning. But the Lord is gracious and HE will be with me in this as He has been with me each time I leave my family to come here.
SO what is next? Good question, I have been invited to join the administrative team working at our USA home office , where I hope to settle for the next phase of my ministry. The Lord has opened this door at just the right time, and has given me the assurance that this is the His plan for me. I plan a time of furlough so that I can visit with many of those who have supported my ministry here in Papua New Guinea for these sixteen years.
My sincere thanks to all who have prayed and supported the ministry of New Tribes Mission and Barbara Kuecken. It has been such a privilege to be a part of the team sent out to PNG, your representative. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you all richly as a part of the team.
Is 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
It amazes me how this scripture truly applies to the work here in Papua New Guinea.
Prayer and Praise
1. Praise the Lord for all His work here in PNG, it has been an amazing time being a part of the tribal church planting work.
2. Please pray for the transition as I phase out, others phase into my role, and I pack and prepare for departure. Please pray especially for Maria as I know my departure will be especially hard for her. We have been together for so very long, she is my true sister.