The months of April and May was one big whirlwind. And we are thankful that we can trust our Father when our circumstances change very unexpectedly so very often! We enjoyed a two week break in Goroka at the beginning of April. It was a great time to rest and relax in a familiar place where we had time to think and learn more about how God is working in our lives, and spend time with friends. When we returned from our break many unexpected things started happening fast… a possible broken bone, our Interface plans changed and a robbery took place.
Jonathan fell the day after we returned from Goroka and landed on his foot strangely. We thought it was broken so Jonathan and Beth flew back to Goroka via commercial airlines for an x-ray. The hospital here has an x-ray machine but it has been broken for a month. We were thankful to see that the x-rays showed no broken bones, but just a contusion, a deep bruise! It healed after two weeks! It only cost us $30 for the doctor’s visit and x-ray but $1500 for the airplane tickets. We are so thankful for God’s provision of insurance!
A day after we got back from Goroka for x-rays we found out that our co-workers, Bill and Jen Morlang, had to return home suddenly because one of their sons needed them back in the USA. Since Bill and Jacob run the maintenance and building end of things here at the supply centre for the Sepik region, we were asked to stay instead of going to help with the Interface program this summer. They were able to ask our good friend, Nate Eutsey, to replace Beth in the role of Food Service director for the Interface team. So now our summer plans have changed. We will still go to help with Interface and help clean and set up the kitchen and get the centre ready for the Interface team. And we will enjoy welcoming Chery Devine, Jacob’s mom, to PNG on June 1st!! And then we will return home to the Sepik a couple days after the Interface team arrives. We are thankful to have a small part in the Interface program this year and be able to see our Interface friends!
When we come back to home to the Sepik, Cheryl will still be able to help take care of Jonathan which will free Beth up to help more around the NTM Centre. This will be a huge help because of the sudden departure of the Morlangs as well as two other families leaving for Home Assignment. So Beth will have more work in the business office and possibly help out in Supply where the missionaries food supplies are packed and sent via plane and/or boat into the bush locations. And Jacob will still be busy keeping the centres maintained and secure! And we are excited to enjoy lots of time with Cheryl in our home!
The day that we found out the need for us to change our summer plans was the same night that men broke into our centre and tried to rob a couple homes. Unfortunately we lost some electronics including Jacob’s laptop, our video camera and camera. But we are very thankful that everyone is safe, no one was hurt. And the men ran away very scared after a good response from our security, dogs and town police. Now our window is A LOT more secure!
We have seen the truth of Proverbs 16:9 many times throughout the last two months. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” So thankful for such a loving God who watches over us and knows what is best for us!
Praises!
- A God who sent His Son to die for our sins and rose him up so that we could have daily life abundantly!
- Jonathan’s foot was not broken and healed in 2 weeks!
- Insurance coverage of our plane tickets to get x-rays!
- No one was hurt during the robbery that took place on our centre!
- God has started to provide and replace the things that were stolen!
- God’s wisdom in redirecting us this summer!
- We are all healthy!
- Jonathan is growing and curious about everything!
- God’s continued provision for our needs moment by moment!
- Safety at work for Jacob!
- Jacob’s mom, Cheryl, starts her trip to PNG on Saturday, May 30th!!
- Provision of a school teacher for the Stuarts family, returning July 6th!
- Dorothy Holmquist, mom of our co-worker, Brian, suffered a stroke but is alive and well!
Prayer requests:
- Ability to choose gratitude instead of our default of ingratitude in the circumstances of our daily lives.
- Rest in God as we enjoy being parents each day.
- Trip to Madang region to help set up for the Interface program, wisdom in menu planning and food orders.
- 26 Interface students – that God would prepare them for all He has to teach them this summer.
- Healing and finances to replace all of the stolen electronics after the robbery.
- Wisdom as Jacob works each day to repair and maintain the NTM Center.
- Healing of our friend, Elissa, so she can work full time in PNG – there has been an improvement in her kidneys!
- Jason, Jedidiah and Ella Jo Stuart as they adjust to their new lives without a wife and mum as Toni went to be with Jesus on March 6th.
- The Stuarts as they plan to return here to PNG in July… many adjustments ahead!
- Dorothy Holmquist, mom of Brian Holmquist (co-worker) as she recovers from her stroke.
- Jacob’s mom as she leaves on May 30th – safe travels and quick adjustment to the PNG culture.
- Provision of finances for Cheryl Devine’s trip, May 30th – August 9th (See below for info on how to give to Cheryl’s trip.)
- Provision of the rest of the finances needed for our tickets and for an apartment to rent while on Home Assignment… leaving mid-November!
- God would continue to raise up more missionaries to come to the Sepik and bring the Gospel to those who have never heard it their own heart language.
- David and Wendy Lee as they pray about returning to minister to the Bena people because the Fosters are unable to return at this time due to health.
- More labors to minister to the Bena people.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 1 Corinthians 4:17
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