News from Papua New Guinea

Menya: 

How far would you walk to hear God’s Word in you own language?  Across the room to turn on the radio?  Grab one of your many Bibles?  Or simply reach for your smartphone?  The Menya people of Papua New Guinea are finally getting a chance to hear God’s talk in their heart language and some are going to great lengths to do it!

About a month ago our fellow Ethnos360 missionaries, who have learned the Menya language and studied their culture, began to teach.  These Creation to Christ Bible lessons focus on God, His holy character and man’s need for a savior.  Even just a couple of weeks in, many are realizing that they are in serious trouble and need their sin problem dealt with.  The missionaries have been laying important foundations for the truths (the Truth) that will come later.

While some of the missionaries’ close neighbors are choosing not to attend the lessons, one couple walks 4 miles (one-way) to hear.  The husband shared that he now realizes he is dead spiritually like Adam and will never be able to make himself good again.  Now he is soaking in the teaching waiting to hear about the Strong One.

Many are making the connections and already believing.  Some have chosen not to attend.  Please pray for the Menya that many will hear, understand and believe!

Earthquake:  

 Making up part of the ring of fire, Papua New Guinea has it’s share of earthquakes.  (300+ a year).  But late in February there was a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that was not only felt at our mission center but even all the way to Japan.  Please pray for the PNG people as thousands have ben impacted. Many lives were lost, homes destroyed and the already weak infrastructure (roads and power) severely damaged.

As we mentioned in our last update we are planning to head back to PNG this summer.  But so much needs to happen before then.  Please continue to pray that we rest in God’s leading during this time.

When Are You Going Back?

Andrea’s mom is not healing well from her broken arm (she fell back in August) and so surgery is needed.  But first she needs to be cleared by all of her doctors for this surgery. Please pray that happens soon as her surgeon is very popular and can be booked for several months in advance.

We Wilson 4 are waiting patiently for our PNG entry permits (visas) to be renewed.  We just sent our 4 passports off to the PNG embassy to get new visas stamped inside!  We are so thankful for the team of co-workers in PNG who have helped with this process.

Praise & Prayer Requests

• Praise: The Menya are hearing the Gospel message for the first time. Pray for understanding and desire to hear the complete message.
• Praise: Paul’s job.  Pray he is a witness to his co-workers.
• Praise: Homeschooling is going well.  Still an adjustment but a lot of fun.
• Prayer: For Andrea’s mom as she looks to have shoulder surgery.
• Prayer: Phoebe & Joshua’s salvation.  Phoebe especially as she has lots of questions!
• Prayer: Just after Easter we are planning a short trip to Kansas to see family, friends and supporters.