News From The Hangar

We are smack in the middle of what we call “the lean season” here on the mission field.  Many missionaries have returned to their home countries for either their year home assignment (we used to call it furlough) or have left to take a much needed, but shorter break.  Those of us who remain, the remnant, are doing our best to keep things running while folks slowly return.

Side note:  our center tends to run based on our mission’s school schedule.  School gets out at the end of May and starts back up in early August.

This month promises to be a very busy time for Paul and the maintenance team.  Pictured below are most of the guys.  Imie Mark III missed out on the picture. However, the two in the front middle are now gone. (Folks from South Potomac Church might recognize Gifsen, standing with his arms crossed, from when he came to visit last year).   One of our Kodiak airplanes needs some serious engine maintenance.  Our helicopter is also scheduled for major avionics work.  This work was scheduled so a co-worker from the States would be able to come and help out but for various reasons he has been delayed.  Paul and Frank, pictured on the far right, are enjoying reading wiring diagrams as they undertake this task.

It is during these times that we are reminded that it is only in the strength of the Lord that we can accomplish His work here in Papua New Guinea.  So many still need to hear the Gospel.

We have teams needing to move into bush locations, supplies and folks need flown in and out of tribal locations, teaching and discipling must continue.  And our aviation team is continuing to seek the Lord’s wisdom as to how to best help meet these needs.

Andrea and the kids are enjoying a few weeks break from school.  It was a great homeschool year and so exciting to see both of them progress in their reading and understanding of God’s world!  We have decided to enroll them in our mission school here on our center — Numonohi Christian Academy. This will be the first time they will not be homeschool so we anticipate a lot of adjustments for all three!  Please pray for wisdom as we help them transition.

Paul’s Meds

Most of you know that Paul struggles with severe allergies.  While Phoebe and Andrea deal with the sneezing/seasonal allergies that most can relate to, Paul’s allergies are on a different level!  While eating a special diet has helped a lot, he still finds that he needs to be on certain supplements and medications.  Some we can get from our clinic here.  Some we can only get from the US.

When we arrived back in March we went about opening up the supply lines for one of his most important medications.  It is a shot that he gives himself every other week to help with his skin issues.  And boy does it help!  Praise God!  While this is easily gotten in the US, getting it in Papua New Guinea is not an option.  Nor is it available in Australia, where our clinic is able to purchase most medicines and have them flown up here on our mission’s aircraft.

So we are left with getting it in the US.  Since is has to be refrigerated, sending it to ourselves in a package isn’t an option.  (Packages take at least 2 weeks to get here, customs can really be a challenge and the package would contain over $6,000 worth of medicine).  We are now working on having co-workers, who are coming this way, bring it over with them in their luggage.  This means a few times every year we will have to go through this process.  We have found someone to bring it over this month, but please continue to pray that we can keep this vital supply line open!

Praise & Prayer Requests

• Praise: Thanks for praying….Paul’s allergy meds are being a big help here in PNG.
• Praise: A good year of homeschooling completed!!!
• Praise: For God’s continual grace and mercy.
• Prayer: Paul and the maintenance team as they diligently work on our aircraft.
• Prayer: For the kids (and Andrea) as they adjust to the start of  formal school.  (First day is in early August).
• Prayer: We are so thankful for our supporters who pray and give towards our ministry.  We wanted to let you know that we have dropped to about 67% of our mission’s recommended monthly support.  (We are happy to provide more details).  While we know that God will remain faithful to meet our needs, we wanted you to know about this and ask that you pray with us for new ministry partners.