Growing Bananas!
No, I didn’t say we are “Going Bananas,” but GROWING bananas! Living in the tropics we see a lot of banana trees…or more accurately banana plants. It has been interesting to learn how they are actually large stems to bring water and nutrients to the leaves and forming bananas. As the bananas get closer to maturity, the plant and it’s leaves are slowly giving up all they have to bring forth this wonderful fruit.
So what does this have to do with our lives right now? The first obvious connection is to our lives as parents. Being parents has taught us so much about sacrifice and patience. (Or more accurately put, how self-centered and impatient we really are). It takes precious time and diligence to raise our children up in the knowledge of the Lord and His ways.
The banana plant also reminds us of why we are here in Papua New Guinea (PNG). As missionaries we offer the much needed support for the other missionaries living out in remote tribal locations. (So I guess in this way, we are like the soil around the banana plant). The tribal missionaries are pouring their time and energy into sharing Christ in remote villages. For the glory of God, we want to see new Believers grow into maturity and then go and share Christ with others.
Time and space won’t allow us to share all the tribal works that are in various stages of development. But here are just a few:
- The Bisorio people, a tribal group that no longer have missionaries with them, have been helping the Malaumandan Believers as they grow towards maturity. (Recently the missionaries have moved out of Malaumanda). It has been neat to hear reports of the Bisorio Believers helping and encouraging their “younger” Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
- The Pal people have recently started hearing Bible teaching in their own language. Please pray for open hearts and minimal disruptions. This teaching time is both challenging for the missionaries and also for the tribal folks (as they have to still “do life” and keep their gardens producing).
Gideon’s Army
Many of you are familiar with the Biblical account (Judges 7) of God reducing Gideon’s army from 32,000 men to only 300. God did this in order to show that He, and He alone would destroy their enemies. The victory was not by their might and numbers but by trusting in the Lord.
We find ourselves in a similar situation here in NTM Aviation. A few months ago we wrote and told you about several of our “veteran” missionaries going on extended home assignments. So we have been operating on what we thought was a minimal staff. Well currently we are losing more of our team, we pray for only a short while, due to pressing medical needs. Please join us in praying for wisdom as we learn like Gideon to trust upon the Lord.
We also want to ask you to be praying regarding an airplane incident (Incident = the engine not running and no one on board) that recently happened on a remote grass airstrip here in PNG. Though the parking brake had been engaged, the Cessna 206, fully loaded with cargo, rolled off the side of the steep runway, turned nose first onto its back into tall grass and was significantly damaged. No people were on board, PRAISE GOD! The pilot sustained minor injuries as he tried to board and stop the plane. Again, PRAISE GOD! He was unable to get in or he would have sustain more injury. Remember, the brakes were set. Getting in would have solved nothing, but would have put him in much more danger. Pray for wisdom, unity and safety as we work to extract this damaged airplane from the remote location. It has been successfully righted, repositioned and disassembled. Now to get it out.
Praise & Prayer Requests
- Praise — while still there, Paul’s allergies are not as severe as they used to be. We believe this is due to his new “elimination” diet & your prayers!
- Praise — No one was seriously injured in the airplane incident.
- Praise/Pray — New Bible teaching started amongst the Pal people.
- Pray — More laborers…..we have a drastic need for more mechanics and administration folks here in PNG.
- Pray — For our finances & wisdom to be good stewards with what the Lord has provided.