Well, we have been here in PNG for just over a month now studying language and culture! I liken this experience to a huge puzzle; you see what the big picture is supposed to look like and all of the pieces lie before you, and your job is to place them in the right spot. Just like a puzzle if you focus on the big picture too long without looking at the individual pieces, you get discouraged and want to give up. Yet, at the same time, if you just focus on the individual pieces for too long, you will forget what the big picture is and it wont get accomplished either!
We have been putting the pieces of language and culture together now for a month. Already, we have had times where we get so focused on the big picture of the next 20 years, we get discouraged, homesick, and frustrated knowing that we will miss a lot of “normal things.”
The Lord has brought to our attention, that He has given us THIS day and this day alone. We need to focus on what can I learn about Him today? What can I do to learn language and culture today? What can I do to be a better spouse and parent today?
At the same time we take all of these things into consideration in light of eternity! Is what I am doing matter in light of eternity, how will this decision affect my eternity or someone else’s? Am I so focused on the task of learning language and culture that I forget that the people I am learning from need Jesus too, and that my life is a reflection of His glory?
Be praying for us as we continuigng to learn language and culture. We have our first language check next week to see how much we have learned! Pray for our hearts that we wouldn’t look too far ahead and get discouraged or get too task oriented that we wouldn’t see the present need around us. Thank you for partnering with us in this endeavor, your prayers and support truly make a huge difference in our lives here!
Dave Lewis says
During this time when you are surrounded and inundated and pummeled with things that are different, keep your eyes on the one who never changes. (HE 12:1-2)