“This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours, but God’s,” 2 Chron. 20:15b It was an e-mail that set me off. It was a nice enough e-mail, but it left me responding, “I. Cannot. Do. One. More. Thing. I’m already failing at everything, and I don’t know why I’m even trying.” Do you ever feel like that, or is it just me? Sometimes I feel like the task before us is too big. There are too many struggling missionaries and difficult situations. We can never love those around us perfectly, and even if we could, there are still so many people we are missing. We so badly want to care well for the missionaries in NTM PNG, but honestly sometimes I really struggle with discouragement. It is in times like this that I need to remember that this battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. Sometimes it feels like missionaries here are laboring in difficult places, ministering to those around them, and others have forgotten to care for them. However, God has not forgotten them. This is His Work, these are His people, and He has all of this in His hands. Thank you for your prayers for us. Please keep praying for the missionaries here in PNG. Till all know, Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck |
This hole in our yard is a picture of God’s goodness to me. There was a mango tree in our yard that I was worried was making Ty’s allergies worse. I put in a request to have it removed, but because usually for things to happen here, it takes a lot of time and red tape, I was preparing myself for a battle. However, when I got home the next day, it was gone. God had already fought my battle. I got to teach a fun lesson about relativism versus absolute truth to my class. |
Praise God: -for a good trip to the Western region -that God kept Ty healthy while we were there and away from the clinic -for God’s protection for Wyck when he fell out of a tree there -for some good connections we had with missionaries at the conference -the start of the second term of school is going well -that this work is in His handsPlease Pray: -for wisdom for us in how to spend our time -that we can love people around us -that we can trust God to care for people even when we can’t -we are desperately in need of high school teachers if we hope to be able to run a full high school next year -we are in desperate need of a doctor as our only doctor is retiring soon -for unity within our tribal church planting teams What are we supporting? This month’s tribal focus: Pray for the missionaries in the Western region of PNG. This month we had the privilege of being a part of the conference for the missionaries in that region. We were thankful to connect with missionaries out there that we don’t often get to see. Rejoice with us over the exciting things God is doing. There are new churches that are excitedly learning truth and discipling others. There are new teams that are forming. There are national churches that are meeting together and continuing on the work on their own. Pray with us over the difficult situations. There are churches that are small, struggling, and apathetic. There are believers falling back into sin. There are missionaries struggling with loneliness and discouragement. Pray for the active church planting works in the Western Region. |
carla gilbert says
Dear Matt and Karissa, ty and Wick,
please know that our missions group is holding you up in prayer. Your honesty about struggles touches our hearts. I, myself, think of you often and the tremendous job you’ve both been given. I know you know that God gives you what you need – please know that I also lift you before our God and Father, asking that He not give you more than you can bear. May He strengthen your hands and hearts and may the love or Jesus our Lord fill you with love and compassion for those around you.
At the last meeting the missions committee approved a gift of $500 towards the cost of the recent helicopter flight.
I pray God’s blessings and peace be upon you all. May your hearts overflow love and joy .. joy in simple pleasures around you. In Christ, Carla Gilbert