Wilsons On The Move

Many of you will recall that Andrea’s Mom suddenly passed away just before Christmas and we quickly left Papua New Guinea (PNG) to get back to Maryland.  We were able to be with family and mourn the loss of Mom/Grammy while also being together to celebrate Christmas.  Shortly after the New Year Paul and the kids returned to PNG as school was starting up again and Paul was needed back in the hangar.  Andrea has remained in Maryland to continue to deal with her mother’s estate.

After weeks of praying and seeking advice, spiritual and legal, we have decided that we need to spend more time here in the US.  We have tickets for Andrea to return to PNG in a couple of weeks.  (We are so done being separated!)  Paul will continue to work in the hangar until the kids’ school term is complete on March 5th. We will pack up and clean our apartment there at the support center as a family.  Then we will return together in the middle of March to the States.

It is our goal to work towards returning to PNG in late July, 2020.  Andrea will have to homeschool the kids for the rest of this school year, but we would like to be back in time to start a new academic year at our wonderful mission’s school.  It is also better for Paul to be gone from the hangar now verses later.

We are very aware of the fact that we have only been back in PNG for a year… and here we are taking another 4-6 months off the field again.  We have prayed much about this before the Lord. We have sought our sending church and mission leaderships’ direction and input.  We believe this is something that we, before the Lord, have to do.  If you would like more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.  And thanks again for all your love, prayers and support!

How Are The Kids?

This family separation has been hard on all of us and gives us a newfound respect for those families dealing with a deployed parent.  We are so blessed to have access to video chats.  The children are currently doing a reading festival with their school and just the other day Phoebe read a book to mommy over video chat!  That’s a first!

Paul has been hanging in there with the help of our co-workers on our center.  Meals have been made, friends watch the kids at lunch while Paul is at work, babysitting provided so Paul has little breaks.  Even a dear national friend pops over to wash their dishes in her down time.  And this is just to name a few.  What a blessing!

While the kids are at school, Paul has been able to work in the hangar.  We have completed a couple of 100 Hour Inspections (routine) on our new Kodiak airplanes and one on our Bell helicopter. Currently we have one Kodiak with the engine apart as cracks were found. That is why we inspect. The cracked part is sent out for repairs and we wait. The helicopter comes back in next week for it’s next inspection.  So, engine part, please hurry up.

In the middle of all this chaos there is fun too!  Paul and the kids dressed up for a recent skate night at their school.

Praise & Prayer Requests

• Praise: We had smooth travels to/from PNG.  And while this separation time is hard, by God’s grace we are managing… and we have an end date!
• Praise: A large portion of our travel expenses have been paid for by gifts from you!  Thank you so much for your sacrificial giving.
• Praise: The funds are coming in for our community water system.  Thank you to all those who have given!
• Prayer: Strength for Paul and the kids as they endure until Mommy’s arrive in a couple of weeks.
• Prayer: Safety and health for our travels — Andrea to PNG this month and then all of us back to the States in March.
• Prayer: For the work load in the hangar as Paul steps out unexpectedly. Reinforcements are scheduled come in July, when we plan to return as well.