“Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing,” Psalm 34:10
We can’t believe we are less than 4 months away from moving to Papua New Guinea. It is easy to dwell on what we are leaving, but we are trusting God that those who trust in Him will lack no good thing. As hard as it is to believe sometimes, we know that God has even better things in store for us than we can imagine. Thanks for praying for us and partnering with us in this- won’t it be great to see what God will do through all of us? Here is a little update on our lives, family, and ministry.
(Ty and Karissa had a mommy-son adventure at the State fair)
Karissa’s Health: We had a good visit at Mayo last month regarding Karissa’s headaches and the cyst in her head. The first day we met with a neurologist who recommended we try medications to see whether that helps the headaches. The second day we met with a neurosurgeon who said that even if medication helped, she recommends surgery because she is concerned that the cyst might grow and cause damage to the brain. So, we are trying medication, doing a follow up MRI in November, and trying to make a decision about whether to have surgery, or to have an MRI every 6 months to monitor the cyst. Either way, we should still be fine to move to Papua New Guinea in January. In the past month, Karissa’s headaches have actually been a lot less frequent. The medication also has been helping when she takes it. So, we are praising the Lord for that and asking Him to completely remove the cyst.
Support Raising: As far as our monthly support goes, we are 97% funded! So, we are praising God for that, and asking Him to bring in the remaining $275/month. For our startup fund, we just need $4,800 more to cover our initial moving, immunization, and plane ticket costs. We have not yet begun raising the $40,000 we need for building our house in the jungle. So, all in all, we are so close, and praising God for that! Meanwhile we are working hard to raise what is remaining.
Preparations: We have sent in all of our work visa application paperwork, and are waiting for it all to go through. So please pray that this process goes smoothly. We did our first round of immunizations and have 2 more rounds to go. Please pray that the kids handle them well and have no adverse effects. Please also pray for Ty, who had a really sad day after getting his first shots, that he will handle them better. We are beginning to think about what we need to buy to bring with us, which is extremely overwhelming. I (Karissa) hate packing even for a weekend trip, so as you an imagine, planning for a few years feels like a lot. Please pray for our stress levels in all of this.
The boys: Wyck will be one this month! How is our little boy growing up so quickly? The words in his repertoire now are, “Dada, Mama, Wow!, Woah!, Boom!, and Vroom”– lots of sound effects :). Ty is 3 1/2 and loves playing with toys, especially pictures of veggietales characters we printed off the computer. He is learning more about God, and recently had a cute conversation with a friend. Friend: “Ty, do you know who made that patio?” Ty: “God!” Friend: “No…” Ty: “Yes, God made everything!” Friend: “Well, yes, God did make everything… But my dad made the patio.”
Till All Know,
Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck Long
(Tribal Church Planters in Papua New Guinea)
Please Pray:
– That God would heal the cyst in Karissa’s head completely
– For wisdom as we decide what to do about the cyst
– That God would supply all remaining funds needed
– That our visas will get approved quickly
– That immunizations will go well for the boys
– That God will give us peace amidst preparations
Praise God:
– We are 97% funded!
– Karissa’s headaches have been better
– No good thing does He withhold from those who trust in Him