We are only 3.5 months away from our target departure date for Papua New Guinea in mid-June! Why June? Culture orientation and language classes are offered every six months, with the next beginning in August. We’ll need to be there 5 weeks earlier so Jeff can transfer his pilot licenses before he dives into classes. There is still a lot that needs to come together for this to happen, but we have seen God work in amazing ways all through this journey! We continue to look to Him to bring it about.
Paperwork
Mid-month we mailed our Work Permit application to PNG for processing. It did arrive and should be submitted soon! Pray that it is approved, so that we can move forward with getting visas!
Prayer & Financial Partners
God has been faithfully forming a foundation of prayer and financial partners to support us in this ministry. Every week we are encouraged to see new partners join the team! We now have commitments for 70% of our recommended monthly support. There is still a significant amount to raise, but God has never failed to provide for us, and we know He is able! Pray that we can be good stewards of what is entrusted to us and that God will provide all that is needed for the work He has called us to.
We’re excited for opportunities to share at several churches and AWANA clubs in the next few weeks. We’re also putting together plans to be in Montana for three weeks in April. Pray that God will continue to open doors for us to share about the aviation ministry. Pray that we can represent well the work He is doing in PNG and help others understand the vital role they can have in supporting the spread the gospel and growth of the Church there.
Packing
It is a little soon to be packing suitcases, but we are starting to figure out what luggage might work best and what needs to go in it! Pilot uniforms for Jeff, cloth diapers for the youngest, good quality kitchen knives – just a few of the items we’ll be gathering soon to take with or ship over once we arrive. Thanks to some generous one-time gifts we have about 40% of our “outgoing expenses” (tickets/luggage, paperwork, shipping) covered!
Pray that we would exercise wisdom in our preparations to go and that our hearts will also be prepared for the many “see-you-laters” and transitions ahead. Pray that we will hold loosely to things of this world and set our hearts and minds on what is eternal.
The pastor at our home church has been preaching through the book of Nehemiah. Throughout the study we have been encouraged to remember the importance and power of prayer, the need for diligence in the midst of challenges and distractions, and the fact that we serve a great and awesome God who is always working to accomplish His purposes. Thank you for laboring alongside us through your prayers as we trust God to accomplish His purposes, in His time, by His strength!
Praises:
- Our God is great and awesome, covenant-keeping and attentive to our prayers! (Nehemiah 1:5,11)
- For the commitment & generosity of so many partnering with us to support church planting in Papua New Guinea!
- For upcoming opportunities to share what God is doing in PNG!
Prayer Requests:
- For approval of the necessary work permits & visas.
- For God’s provision for our monthly support through new ministry partners.
- For the ability to communicate well as we share about the aviation ministry.
- For wisdom in our parenting and preparations for moving.
- That our focus will be on what is eternal and honoring the Lord.