It takes a team

I arrived back from West New Britain just in time to watch the final game of the girls’ basketball tournament.  Wow!  So much fun and excitement.  It is one of those moments when I realized I am my mother’s daughter, with enthusiasm and yells just coming out.  I am that guy.  Who can stop them?!  Having my own child on the court only ramps it up even more, but the best part is seeing those individuals suddenly become a team.  One dribbles, one sets a screen, one passes, one boxes out, one takes a shot, one gets the rebound, shoots again and then the basket and 2 more points scored!  A good team is not a one man show, but a well-oiled machine that functions as one.  To see a team like that win the tournament is everyone’s victory and we all love to see it happen.  Who can help being in the stands and going a little crazy?!

This trip to the Islands for translation work was very similar to watching a team playing together.  Dave, after helping make arrangements, saw me off to meet the pilots for a 5:30 departure from our mission center.  Then to the hangar where the pilots prepared the plane for our flight and an opportunity to have Bible reading and prayer with the aviation team before leaving.  Off to Lamogai land where the bush airstrip has just been cut BY HAND to prepare for our landing so we could pick up the Ivanga men that were waiting to come help me work on Matthew and Timothy.  Then when we arrived at the small mission center where there were guest houses ready for us and friends had our lunch waiting.  An office had been prepared so we could begin work that afternoon, oh, and we were invited to dinner that evening so we didn’t have to worry about cooking.  We were free to focus on translation for the week the Ivanga men and I had together.   The team was at work and the ball was being dribbled and passed from team member to team member.  Each one ready and wanting to do his part.

Guys, you are the family and friends in the stands cheering and most of all praying as God does His work here in PNG.  This is the moment when the stands erupt and we don’t want to hold back.  Let’s be that guy that says, “Thank you Lord for all of your answered prayer, thank you for all you are doing in PNG among those that are serving behind the scenes on the mission centers, among those in the remote churches continuing to grow and disciple, among those who continue on with translation, among those who are learning language, among those right now teaching God’s Word.”  It is wonderful to be a part of that team and we are so encouraged to have you standing with us in prayer.  Thank you for your part and who can help going a little crazy and praising God for what He is doing? Let’s be that guy.