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| 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11 says, “And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.” I don’t think that most of us would say that our ambition is to live a quiet life. I know I wouldn’t. When kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, most say something like astronaut, firefighter, doctor, or president. We all want to do great things, and as believers, we want to do great things for God. And yet- maybe we glorify God not always by doing things that look amazing, but by working hard on the tasks before us and loving those around us. In some ways our life looks less exciting than it did when we first arrived on the field. We’ve traded epic hikes in remote villages for having coffee with hurting friends and grading high schoolers’ grammar assignments. We’ve traded riding in a helicopter for sitting in an office or planning in a classroom. But it is here that we are loving those around us, working hard on the tasks before us, and seeking to glorify God rather than ourselves. We are oh so thankful to be doing this work of teaching and member care, and we are oh so thankful for you doing your jobs each day and giving some of the money that you earn to this ministry. Together through our quiet lives, we are helping something incredible to happen. While you and I sit at our desks, we are helping the gospel to go out to places it has never been. Till all know, Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck  One of the ways we are loving those around us- leading a small group.  One of the ways we are working with our hands- grading papers. Praise God: – We have been able to meet with a lot of missionaries who needed encouragement – Over the school break Karissa was able to get more prepared for the upcoming term – He has brought some peace to a difficult situation among PNG citizens nearby – He answered prayers in a big way for a fellow missionary, and turned our mourning into dancing Please Pray: – For wisdom each day as far as what God would have us do and who He would have us meet with. There are definitely more needs than we can fulfill. – For spiritual renewal and emotional encouragement for the central area missionaries – That we can love our students well – That we can love and train our kids well – For some people we have met with/ are meeting with that are dealing with some really tough issues |
 What are we supporting? This month’s tribal update: Pray for the central area missionaries. PNG is divided up into three areas: Eastern, Central, and Western. Two weeks ago we were able to attend the central area conference, where the missionaries from tribal locations all around the central area of PNG came out for a time of fellowship, refreshment, and encouragement. It was so encouraging to hear about all that God is doing in these various locations. It was also incredibly overwhelming to hear about all of the missionaries who are struggling in various ways. We are definitely in a spiritual battle. Please pray that God would give us wisdom in how to support and encourage these missionaries, and pray that He would be strengthening and encouraging them. Please pray that God would move those who feel like they’re at the end of their ropes to a place of thriving in Him. |