As we have entered a new year (17 days ago), it is time to update you on what is happening in our lives and on what God is doing here in the Pal tribe. We passed the three year mark of being in PNG and now we’re less than a year away from furlough. It has been a whirlwind time since we’ve entered the country and we’ve been amazed at what God has done here in Pal and in our own lives.
In the past three years God has allowed us to learn two new languages, translate a few thousand verses of Scripture, open those Scriptures for the first time to the Pal people in their own language, and hear testimonies from about 100 people professing faith in Christ. Our 3rd and 4th Pal literacy classes just kicked off a week ago and they are being taught exclusively by class 1 and 2 graduates.
We are currently meeting 2 times a week to teach/hear God’s Word. Each Sunday morning we gather and Nate and I take turns teaching, and Wednesday mornings we gather and listen to them ‘teach’. We pull out some of the 200 pictures we used while teaching Phase 1 and Pal men take turns holding up a picture and telling the story. The whole group chimes in if the speaker forgets something, needs help telling the story, or says something wrong, and together we’re strengthening our understanding of the Scriptures and God’s plan of salvation for us that has been being played out since the beginning of time.
We’re also seeing whom God has gifted with teaching/speaking ability, and in the not-too-distant future (Lord willing) we’ll see Pal guys being a part of taking the Gospel to other Pal villages (that have yet to hear) and eventually beyond. Exciting stuff.
We’re also excited that today people got started building a new more permanent building for gathering and hearing God’s Word. (The tarp that was covering the old teaching house got blown away in our monsoon winds!)
We are a few days away from getting out of the tribe for a break and we’ve never felt such a need to have a break as we do now. We have been here in the Pal tribe for almost 10 months without a break, and we’re eagerly looking forward to some rest and relaxation. Our helicopter flight out of here has already been delayed once because of flights being backed up elsewhere because of bad weather, so pray that there would be no more delays and that we would wait patiently and rest in the Lord.
Be thanking the Lord and praising His name for what he has done and is doing here in Pal. The excitement of Phase 1 has passed but the excitement to hear God’s Word has only grown. I counted roughly 170 people (teenagers and adults) at last Sunday’s meeting. Praise the Lord.
Lynette Cottam says
Dear Chris and Maggie,
I am thrilled to read this report. How mightily God is working! Trust you all have a very restful and restoring break.
God bless,
Lynette