 Supporting Tribal Church Planting in Papua New Guinea |
| “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart” -Ecc. 3:11a As I left last week, I circled the church parking lot one more time, making sure Ty was in the youth van and his suitcase was in the trailer. I wiped my misty eyes and pulled onto the street. Wasn’t it just yesterday he was toddling around playing with Veggie Tales toys? It’s not that I want to be back to that phase. I definitely am enjoying my sleep at night and am proud of the young man he is becoming. And yet, seeing my kids grow up is hard, because I know my time with them is fleeting. I read a book once where the author posited that the passing of time is painful simply because it passes. Whether we look back with regret or nostalgia, there’s something difficult simply about the fact that it is gone. I think that is because we weren’t made for this time-bound life; we were made for eternity. We now have only eight months left of home assignment. Yes, I know that is still quite a while, and yes, I know this home assignment is longer than others, but it feels like it’s screeching towards the finish line. Home assignment is actually always difficult for me, because there is a time limit on it. Whether it is short or long, it is limited, and that puts a certain pressure and poignancy on it. I only have this time to spend with people I love, minister to those around me, complete essential tasks, and fulfill my USA bucket list. It’s stressful, and yet in a way, it’s a gift. People always say to live each day as if it’s your last, so I guess it’s good to live this year as if it’s my only one here. Really, we all should live like that – with a view that our time on this earth is limited, and we should spend it on what matters. I just need to figure out how to live with intentionality, but also peace. So, I’ll try to keep seeking God each day for what He has for me. And if you see me sniffling in the youth group lobby, well, just keep moving along. Till all know, Matt, Karissa, Ty, and Wyck |
 Hey look, this tree grows cousins! Praise God: – Ty had a great time at his recent youth retreat 🙂 – We got to see family and see our nephew get married in Colorado – We got to spend sweet time with family at Easter – We got a couple of opportunities to share about our ministry this month  Wyck reading to Great Grandpa! Please Pray: – For Wyck as he gets more orthodontics put in next week – For Matt as he finishes his internship at Bethel and starts his internship at MN Adult&Teen Challenge – That we can witness to people we care about – That we can spend each day doing what God wants us to |
What are we supporting? This month’s tribal focus: Pray for a new team moving in to work with the “G” people! “In the early 90’s three families moved in among the G people to learn their language and translate the Bible. However, two of the families had to leave the work early, leaving the remaining family to work alone for nearly 30 years. Because of health issues, the family was unable to finish the work, leaving behind a partially finished translation and a small church. Though the G people group is estimated to include 10,000 people, the gospel never took root past the initial village that the missionaries lived in, leaving behind a small group of believers… Fast forward to February 2025, a village nearby to where the missionaries started the work 30 years ago contacted the small church and said they wanted to hear God’s Talk… The Clonch, Fitzpatrick and Sanford families are moving forward to finish the work started 30 years ago, to plant a thriving church among the G people.” |