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 “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” -Ecc.4:12 Could you imagine not having a single insurance policy or a single dollar in a savings account? Well, that’s the situation for most people here in PNG. So what if a terrible life crisis comes up? What do people do? They are provided for by their community. While there are also drawbacks to that system, I think that it speaks to a kind of community mindset that we Westerners find hard to fathom. Many people say that the Covid pandemic gave way to a loneliness pandemic, but though it may have made it more evident, I think that the loneliness pandemic existed long before. Even for people who have what they consider to be great friends, they probably hang out with them, what, a few times a month? And the rest of the month they are sitting inside their houses only connecting with people via their smartphones. This is not how we were meant to live! I believe that we were meant to do life together- daily, messy, unpredictable life. I think this looks less like perfect playdates or extravagant Friday nights, and more like inviting a friend to join you as you eat leftover pizza and clean up your kitchen. It’s asking your friend about her hard day at work or letting her share about the new coffee mug she just bought. Acts 2:46 says that “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” The disciples in the early church were meeting together every day, at the temple and in their homes, and I guarantee you not every first century Israelite mom had a crumb-free kitchen and empty to-do list. I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of community and the kind of life I want. So why is it so hard to come by? I don’t know, but I believe it’s worth fighting for. I also know that it is not just an American problem. Even here in our missionary community, among people who have left their homes and families to serve the Lord, there are a bunch of lonely people sitting in their houses wishing someone would invite them over, and when they do go over, wishing that they could share what is REALLY going on. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Are the lives we are living as Christians so full of love for one another that we stand out from the world and are a witness to them? Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” We believe that community is vital for people, and so, first as Member Care, and now as Personnel Director, we are doing all we can to love and connect with others, and help people to love and connect with each other well. We hope that you are doing the same back home. In this way, we can be a community that truly shines the light of Christ, and therefore reach the lost people around us. Till all know, Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck |
 Sometimes we do community well- like when I helped my friend move.  Sometimes we do community poorly- like when we stay in our house because we feel too busy. |
| Praise God: – Karissa ended well at teaching for the year – Ty and Wyck are excited for summer vacation – Wyck “graduated” from speech therapy! – Matt’s first couple of weeks as Personnel Director have gone well Please Pray: – We have had many people leave recently for unplanned reasons- finances, health, family struggles. – We are VERY short-staffed right now. Pray for God to raise up more missionaries to come help. – For wisdom for Matt and the other directors to lead well. – We just found out that Ty most likely has asthma. Pray that his symptoms will continue to be well-managed with medication .  What are we supporting? This month’s tribal focus: In 2000, two missionary families moved into a village in the Hewa people group. After five years of learning the language and culture, they finally were able to teach the Bible and… four people believed. And then, due to tribal fighting, the missionaries had to leave. How disappointing! And yet, God was still working. Last December one of those believers moved with his family to another village with a passion to share Christ with his relatives. He began teaching literacy and the Bible, with 70-100 people coming to the teaching. Last week we heard that there are now new believers trusting in Christ’s death for them! Pray for the new church, the ex-pat missionaries who are still working with these people itinerantly, and the PNG citizen believers who are doing the teaching. Even when we don’t see what God is doing, He is still working! |