What is a stacation? When you stay home for the entire vacation, it is a stacation. We just did a two week stacation. I don’t think we could have picked a better block of time in Phoebe’s life if we tried. We knew the break would encompass her first birthday, but had no idea it would include more teeth, real walking, more chattiness (no real words yet) and definitely more cuteness.
Paul called the break his run back to God. We have been extremely busy in the aviation department (especially October) and his quiet time had been one of the first things that got cut. We do NOT recommend this. Matter of fact we believe it needs to be the last thing to go. Paul was able to spend quality time in the Word and prepare for his upcoming sermon as well as finish a book he had been stalled in — Forgotten God, by Francis Chan.
Also we were able to have quality time as a family. We had become a little distant with all that was going on between ministries and raising a baby. It was a great time all told. There was nothing monumental as far as destinations or events, but exactly what we needed as a family.
Little Extras
In late September we left our center for a few days to help run a Vacation Bible School for our Highlands area bush missionaries. We had a blast with the kids and teens as we once again “Rocked the Doc!!” (If you are counting, that’s time #3 for us to be a part of Crocodile Doc). While a lot of work, it was a great change for us and we enjoyed reconnecting with folks and hearing what the Lord is doing in some very remote locations of Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Recently Paul has been preparing a sermon from I Corinthians 1:18-31 as mentioned. He presented it on November 18th. The main theme of the passage is on unity and that is always a good reminder amongst the body of Christ.
Andrea is doing some light work for our business office. Conveniently she can do most of this from home. She was also involved in organizing a good-bye fellowship dinner for an NTMA couple leaving on home assignment.
You Can Help
We would like to ask all of you for some more help. We find ourselves at 62% of our mission’s recommended support level for PNG. What is that in hard figures? We receive around $4,200 US/month.
We are finding it difficult to stay within our budget as prices here in PNG have increased incredibly over the last three years (like +25%). For example, a dozen eggs cost just over $5 US, and a gallon of milk costs about $10.60 US. As well, the cost of electrical power has increased 30% over the past few years. With our bill around $250/month, we now have both our frig and freezer on power timers and note: we have a gas oven and no a/c or electric heat in the house. When we cannot stay within budget in various areas it forces us to use funds we need to be saving for things like international travel when furlough comes (or the next “medical” need).
Understand this is never an easy topic and we do very much appreciate all that you are giving in support of our ministry. However, we felt it was time to let our supporters know. We would ask that you take the matter before the Lord with us.
Praise & Prayer Requests
- Praise — Great stacation!!
- Praise — The sermon went well, praise the Lord!
- Pray — Wisdom in fitting in all the “little extras” of life.
- Pray — More laborers…..we have a drastic need for more mechanic and pilots here in PNG.
- Pray — For our finances and wisdom to be good stewards with what the Lord has provided.