We are amazed at how our God works! Have you ever just stopped what you are doing and thought about it? We want to share with you one of those amazing times:
Many of you know that Paul has been struggling with allergies. Because of his particular condition (too much IgE) he qualifies to go on a specific allergy drug that helps with these high levels. He started this treatment in the States (a shot every other week for at least a year) and his various allergic reactions started to decrease. But after returning to PNG in October, we found out we are unable to have it shipped from the US.
So that’s when our NTM team went to work. We had doctors, nurses and medical staff looking into purchasing it in Australia, the Philippines and even possibly Thailand. After finding it in Australia our NTM team there had to pick up the medicine and make sure it remained refrigerated. Then our NTM Aviation team packed it in the plane and flew it up here (along with a lot of other cargo).
On the day the medicine arrived, we both headed to the medical clinic here (well after “office hours”) so that Paul could be given his first shot by another team member (see picture).
Did you catch the common word there? TEAM. And there is one more vital member of this team — YOU! While you weren’t here to help order the medicine…nor were you able to fly the C-90 airplane from Cairns, Australia, you all are still a very important part of this team. Without your prayers this could never of happened. I could fill ten newsletters with the amazing things that God did to work out us getting this important medication.
And besides your prayers, we are also thankful for the important role you play by offering financial support. Since we had to purchase this medication outside of the US, our medical insurance requires that we pay for it all up front. And praise the Lord we have enough in emergency funds to cover this cost. Please continue to pray — pray that the medication will continue to improve Paul’s health. Also please pray that our insurance company will reimburse us and in a timely manner.
Christmas Came A Bit Early!
Just a few weeks before Christmas we were notified that the shipping container arrived containing our wedding gifts and other supplies. Paul spent the morning helping unload the 40 foot container (no, most of it wasn’t ours!) while Andrea stayed at home waiting for the deliveries!
Soon after boxes began to be dropped off: boxes of wedding gifts (most we were laying eyes on for the first time), tools for work, supplies for the coming years (your favorite deodorant = a must have!), Vacation Bible School supplies (thanks SPC) and even boxes of fragrance-free soaps (thanks to Skifflake Bible Church). And with all the Styrofoam pieces, it almost looked like we were getting an early white Christmas in the tropics! What a blessing to have “pieces of home” here in PNG.
Praises:
- The arrival of Paul’s allergy medicine.
- The arrival of our wedding gifts and supplies.
- Andrea is settling into her new ministry at the aviation hanger.
- Our team & all the support they give.
Prayer Requests:
- Paul’s medical situation — pray that the medicine will give Paul some relief from his allergies & asthma.
- Strength for the busy months ahead. (January is a very busy month for aircraft maintenance in the hanger).
- More laborers for HIS harvest .