| MONDAY, September 30, 2024 |
| “Oh, you were here super recently, so you don’t need to fill out any forms,” the receptionist at the orthopedic urgent care said to me brightly. I definitely did not share her happiness at the statement. |
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| “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” -1 Peter 5:10 |
| This is the second time I’ve been here for an injury I got at the ninja gym. I’m nervous that the doctor is going to tell me to stop doing ninja gym. I’m also wondering if it was silly of me to come, and I should just push through the injury and let it heal on its own. However, what I think is best is to keep doing what I love, even though it has inherent risks, but also take care of injuries before they get worse. This reminds me of two major philosophies I have encountered regarding member care. On the one hand, I can hesitate to share about how difficult missionary life is, because I’ve gotten the response, “Well then you should just come home!” On the other hand, I’ve talked with people who are resistant to member care because they think that if people are strong and spiritual, they should just be able to push though and plow ahead. I think what is needed is somewhere in the middle. We need to empower missionaries to continue serving by caring for “injuries” well right away. So, in addition to going to ninja gym and getting injured ;), we have been spending time getting equipped to go back to PNG and help missionaries do just that. Matt is continuing to work on his counseling classes and internship. We are also spending time trying to build our support team. We need more prayer and financial partners in order to continue serving in PNG. Please pray for us as we seek to grow our team through sharing at churches and meeting with individuals. Till all know, Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck |
| Please Pray: – We are taking Ty to an asthma specialist. Pray for wisdom and good information. – Wyck needs orthodontics for his jaw alignment. Pray that he will tolerate it well. – School has been very stressful for Matt. Pray for wisdom in how to balance work and rest. – Pray that Wyck can make good progress with his new speech therapist. – That we would be diligent in witnessing and discipling those around us. Praise God: – Matt’s internship is going well. In addition to learning skills for the future, he’s able to help people now! – The kids have been attending Awana and youth group and really enjoying it – Wyck’s lazy eye is improving and he gets to take a break from patching – Karissa’s headaches are continuing to be well-managed with medication – God is at work in our relationships with others   “Ninja Gym” is a gym where you can practice the types of obstacles on American Ninja Warrior. Wyck turned nine! He is an enthusiastic, smart, hilarious boy who loves God and loves others.  What are we supporting? This month’s tribal focus: Pray for the W people, many of who are hearing God’s Word for the first time right now! Pray that many would understand and put their trust in Christ. Missionary Jason Cizdziel writes about how God is at work even when things don’t seem to be going well. “Today we had our seventh meeting and the kids were so loud that I shouted my entire lesson. Distractions are normal, a dog also wandered up to me during my lesson for some pets. But when kids are loud, the parents get louder to try and quiet the kids and then all hope is lost. I left the meeting with a headache and feeling like all my work and effort for that lesson was for nothing. But to end on a positive note: I was sulkily leaving the teachings house and walked by a mom in the middle of a story holding her young son’s hands in the air… With a big smile, she was telling her kids the Bible story that I thought no one could hear. I said a quick thank you prayer to God. He showed me my work wasn’t for nothing, even if there are some adjustments I need to make.” |
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