This week we turned up the heat and are really pushing to try and make use of the time that we have Katie here with us. Joel especially has increased the number of hours he is in language study, with the possible hope of finishing French before the end of the year. Joel’s parents are coming for Christmas and we plan to take some vacation, but until there we are sprinting as hard as we can. We are running hard and I know that it will get tiring, but this week I definitely could feel the encouragement around us to keep pressing forward. Here is the encouragement God sent our way this week.
Remember the Goal
Just this week we over in PNG we got word that another people group heard the gospel for the first time in their language. They have been teaching for awhile, starting from creation, but this week they shared the death and resurrection of Christ. There are now believers in one more language PRAISE GOD! It is easy in the midst of language learning to lose site of the goal, so that was an amazing reminder of what we are working towards.
Remember How Far You have Come
With Katie here I have been trying to translate French for her so she is not always lost, as I was when we first arrived. The past two Sundays I have attempted to translate the sermon and for the most part have been able to do it. Progress? I think so!
Remember that I Am Providing Support For You
Our host family moves back this week from the village. With them close by we will be able to spend significantly more time with them. We are really looking forward to this as they are the most comfortable place for us to learn culture and language. Over the past 6 months we have become really close and so we look forward to every moment we get to spend with them.
Remember that I am Taking Care Of You
Last week Ethan has a good day at school every day of the week and on top of that we discovered a family, just around the corner, who drives their kids to the same school everyday. They are now taking Ethan to and from school which saves multiply taxi fares each day. It encourages my heart to see how well God takes care of me and my family.
Remeber that I Am Already At Work In Africa
Joel is sitting right now at a meeting with 120 other pastors and leaders from all over Africa. There are still thousands of people who have never heard the truth, but God is doing amazing things here. We are so honored to be here and see God at work in powerful ways.
And so with that encouragement we press toward the Goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus
I’m so glad to hear how God is encouraging you and how God is working in the world! Thank you for sharing the news with us. I just have to say, in that first picture of Tyler, he is making such an Ethan expression. I suppose it’s understandable that younger siblings would adopt older siblings facial expressions, but it was so surprising to see. I guess I’ve just missed most of Tyler’s life, so I don’t know his face as well. I’ll have to work on that.
That really is encouraging. You are doing well! God will use you both to bear fruit. Carry on.
Andi, Thank you to you and Joel for being so faithful to the work God has set before you. What a blessing it is to hear from you about the happenings of each week. The Lord has been faithful to bring you this far, and He will continue to do a good work in you.
Jeannette