On Wednesday (2/3) we put an important packet of paper work in the mail and sent it to Papua New Guinea. Our NTM co-workers will take the paper work, which included our application for work permits and visas, and hand them in to be processed. Everything has to be just right in order for the application to be accepted. Pray that we would find favor in the eyes of whoever processes our applications! We have been told that it could take as little as three weeks for our work permits to be authorized, but don’t know how long it will take for our visas to be granted.
Once we have our visas in hand we can purchase our plane tickets. We are believing God for the necessary funds to make this purchase just as soon as our paper work has been finally processed. Please pray with us that the Lord would make this provision in full and quickly so that we will have ample time to find the best ticket prices.
March 18th the Next Big Event: Gary and Jennifer Blanchard, a couple from our sending church here in Michigan, have opened their home to us so that we can present our ministry in a small group setting to interested people here in our home town. We have done this before on three different occasions in different homes in the area. Each event has been a huge success. We have been able to present a clearer picture of what it means to plant a church in an isolated tribal location. Everyone has had plenty of opportunity to ask all their questions and, besides good fellowship, those who have participated have left feeling very informed and challenged about missions and confident in the Lord’s direction in our lives. It has really been encouraging for us to be able to interact with the Church in this way.
March 19th: Richard and Joyce Eide will be opening their home to us also so that we can share with people from our home church. There will be an opportunity for people to signup at church to attend. We are praying that there are more people interested than we have space for so that we have to schedule some more events like this. Could you pray for a lot of interest with us! We are confident that this is the way to help people understand more clearly what reaching the unreached is all about. We are excited for what God can do in our church through this opportunity.
March 26th: Mark and Amy Blackgrove, another couple from our sending church, attended one of our small group ministry presentations last year. They were so challenged and encouraged by our time together that they asked if they could host us in their home so that more of their friends could hear. Of course we are delighted for the opportunity. Could you pray for us on these dates particularly, that we would be able to communicate clearly, that we would be able to answer questions wisely and thoroughly and that hearts would be challenged and encouraged about missions. We are confident that as we clearly share how the Lord has challenged our hearts from His word, others will be challenged too. This may result in a greater number of people praying and supporting us as we go. The Lord could also challenge people to become our co-workers on the mission field!! You never know.
More Opportunities for You: We are currently working with two other families to organize more opportunities like these to present our ministry. We will communicate with you as these plans develop. Please come and join us!!