Thank you for your prayers

Greetings from Sunny PNG,

We are currently out of the bush and getting to help 6 new families as they orient to the field of PNG.  Soon they will be prepared to allocate to a bush location.  These folks vary in age and cultural background, but all have one common desire – To see God’s name glorified among the many different people groups of PNG.  One of the first things they must do is acclimate to the new language, culture, and climate in PNG.  They are all doing great and we are thankful for the opportunity to minister this way.

One of the other ministries that we are involved in is that of Consulting with teams that are in the various stages of Church Planting and Cultivation.  We have had the opportunity to work with the teams ministering in the Mibu, Biem, Alemblak, and Bises people groups in just the last couple of months.  That means lots of travels by boat, plane, helicopter, and foot path.  We are blessed with kids that adjust well to sleeping wherever as long as we are together.  The greatest thing is the friends we all get to make along the way as we travel.

When we visit these churches, our primary goals are to evaluate how the church is doing and how we can set a course for continued growth and maturity.  I did not invent the standards used by our mission, but I should write a book on the principles because they can give tremendous clarity to a church as to the state of their health and how they can improve.  What a privilege to be a servant to the church – the bride of Christ.

The Hewa church continues to grow and mature.  Our co-workers, The Kopfs, are back in the bush living in the little cabin and continuing on with translation.  Please pray for Jonathan’s back which was broken a few years ago.  Whenever he does a lot of physical work, he suffers from pain – a smart guy would not be a missionary in the shape he is in, but wisdom and commitment causes him to lay himself on the altar daily and make the painful sacrifice which will result in praise to our Father.  What a privilege to serve alongside such men and women of honor.

We are hoping to get back into the bush just as soon as we can.  I Corinthians is the next book the church is needing.  Romans and Ephesians have focused on the individuals position and how that should affect their walk.  Corinthians will focus on The Church and how she is to function as one body. Please pray for us as we translate the lessons and prepare for teaching.

How you can pray:

• Pray for the Hewa church as they continue to grow, teach, and help Jonathan and Susan with New Testament translation.
• Pray for Jonathan’s back to be healed and for the Kopf’s daughter Mikenna as she is adjusting to life in the bush.
• Pray for Angie as she home-schools the girls – Lindsey, Lauren, Layla, and Lexie are growing fast and doing well. (you can see the pix on http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Copleys)
• Pray for Keith and Angie as they orient the new missionaries to PNG and as Keith evaluates and strategizes with churches around PNG.

Most of all – thank you for your continued support.  It is a pleasure to serve HIM, but it would be impossible without your prayer, encouragement, and generosity.

With you, for HIM – The Copleys (Deuteronomy 32:3,4)