{"id":561,"date":"2018-05-28T15:10:17","date_gmt":"2018-05-28T20:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/paul-swenson\/?p=561"},"modified":"2018-05-28T15:10:17","modified_gmt":"2018-05-28T20:10:17","slug":"way-beyond-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/paul-swenson\/2018\/05\/28\/way-beyond-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Way Beyond Me"},"content":{"rendered":"

In mid-April, we traveled to homeschool testing at the New Tribes center in the Highlands and after a week there we left for Australia for a medical visit and break.\u00a0 We had a great time while we were away and it was great to be able to spend 4 weeks with Ellen\u2019s parents who traveled over to spend time with us in Australia and then Papua New Guinea.\u00a0 Thanks for praying for us.\u00a0 It was good to get connected with a specialist on this side of the world for Emmanuella and we\u2019re praising God that things are still looking fine for her.<\/p>\n

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The PNG welcome committee at the airport.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over the past month or so I (Paul) have been thinking through some things that I really hadn\u2019t thought about in a while.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if it was just being in a different setting or a more US-like setting, but I began to think through the challenges of life and ministry outside of what would be \u201cnormal\u201d in our home country and culture.\u00a0 I began to think through the very different life experiences that our kids have and how that may impact them in the future.\u00a0 I began to think about \u201cthe good old days.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Along the river in Brisbane<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the process of thinking about all of that, I began to feel overwhelmed with where we are in life and what we are doing.\u00a0 The enormity of the task ahead of us\u2026learning another language, living in a more isolated environment from the things we\u2019re used to, communicating scriptural truths to those whose culture has taught them to think so very differently from me.\u00a0 It\u2019s way beyond me to be able to do that and yet that is once again the point that God wanted me to get to.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because when I\u2019m weak, HE is strong. \u201cMy grace is enough for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.\u201d (2 Cor. 12:9 NET Bible) \u00a0God desires to use us in our weakness for His purpose and glory.\u00a0 That is why He calls us to things that make us feel like we\u2019re in over our heads.\u00a0 In our own strength, we are over our heads, but with God working in us and through us He can accomplish the impossible.\u00a0 \u201cI can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.\u201d (Phil. 4:13) \u00a0\u00a0As I reflected on different Scripture verses which brought me encouragement, I also began to think through the words of \u201cBeyond Me\u201d by TobyMac.\u00a0 The chorus says, \u201cThat you gave me the stars, put them out of my reach, called me to waters a little too deep.\u00a0 Oh, I\u2019ve never been so aware of my need.\u00a0 You keep making me see; it\u2019s way beyond me.\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s then we can say in faith as the song continues, \u201cYou take me to the place where I know I need You, straight to the depths that I can\u2019t handle on my own and Lord I know I need You.\u00a0 So, take me to Your great unknown.\u201d\u00a0 After reflecting on all of this, I can say that I am so thankful for the opportunity that God has put before us to do something that is way bigger than us and I look forward to see how HE will accomplish it.\u00a0 After all, it\u2019s not about us, but it\u2019s about HIM.\u00a0 HE alone is worthy!<\/p>\n

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Something from VT in Australia!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What have been up to?<\/strong>\u00a0 After spending the time in Australia, we came back to PNG refreshed and ready to keep moving forward.\u00a0 We were able to spend a couple of weeks showing Ellen\u2019s parents different things around PNG.\u00a0 It was fun for them to be able to experience life here with us for that time.\u00a0 We have also been continuing forward in the team formation process which has included working on thinking through Bible curriculum and a team strategy statement.\u00a0 A team strategy statement is a guide for us as a team in a particular ministry.\u00a0 It will lay out our team philosophies for aspects of life and ministry in the village.\u00a0 We\u2019ve also been involved in helping with a few things around the center here and we\u2019re thinking and planning ahead to mid-June into July when we will be helping with the Interface program for college age students.<\/p>\n

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Helping fix the campus generator<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Building Fund Update:<\/strong>\u00a0 We have about $30,600 of the expected $60,000 for the house build\/ air transportation costs associated with a house build in a helicopter location.\u00a0 If all goes well and things happen in the timeline we think, this build will start in late August.\u00a0 Would you pray about helping us with this one-time expense?\u00a0 Here is the information on that: https:\/\/swensontribe.wordpress.com\/house-building\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Praises:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n