Back To The Bascis

With our return to Papua New Guinea on the horizon (no dates yet but plans are being made so we will keep you posted) we recently started sending out short, weekly e-mail updates focusing on the who, what, where, when and why of the Wilson Family.  Many of you have known us for years while some are new friends.  Some we have never seen face-to-face and others we see often.  It is our goal to help better inform you so you can pray as there is so much coming up for us!

#1 What is Ethnos360? 

A missionary is a “sent one” and we have been sent out by our supporting churches to work with an organization, Ethnos360.  Founded in 1942 as New Tribes Mission, Ethnos360 works among people groups who have had very little or no access to the Bible.  While providing physical help the missionaries share Bible lessons in their heart language that give the hearers a chance to choose for themselves whether to trust Christ as their Savior.  We also want to help these groups grow and lead their own churches.  Our ultimate goal is to see a thriving church for every people!

#2 Training

We are just a few weeks away from our move from Maryland to Arizona.  (At least that is the plan at this moment).  Why are we going to Arizona before we head back to Papua New Guinea?  Training!

Training is very important to us and it’s one of the things that drew us both to work with Ethnos360.  We both attended Ethnos360’s Bible school (sadly, not at the same time) and then went on to train for our overseas ministries.  Andrea had studies in linguistics, thinking she was going to be a part of a tribal church planting team and needing to learn a new, and unrecorded, language.  Paul had to have extra training for his maintenance rolls including extensive training at our Ethnos360 Aviation training center in Arizona. We have been so blessed by these years of training as they prepared us for many of the challenges of overseas ministering.

For Paul the training didn’t end once he got to Papua New Guinea.  In order to get the necessary PNG mechanic’s licenses, he had to do more training because a U.S. aviation A&P license has no authority there.  A few of you will recall that he has had to make several trips to Australia and even back to America in order to get this valuable training.  And now he finds himself needing more training. It keeps him young!  With the PNG field about to incorporate a new type of helicopter, the Robinson R66, Paul needs to train with our Ethnos360 Aviation staff in Arizona.  He also needs to go to a training class with Robinson in California.  This happens in late January, Lord-willing.  Please pray as the class in early December was cancelled…..bet you can guess why.  🙂

 #3 Prayer

Well, we believe we have all become more aware of how vital prayer is to our maturing walk with our Lord and Savior in these recent months. We tend to pray more when we have no idea what tomorrow holds.

We often share with you prayer requests and praises from various tribal works. As we, the body of Christ, spend time talking with Him about the various needs of others (the lost who are hearing the Gospel or for new believers as they are discipled in the Word of God) our hearts and minds are more focused on the truly important things of life. We experience the privilege extended to us to boldly walk into the throne room of God almighty and fellowship with Him about the matters that matter most to Him. We become more Christ like as HE shapes and directs our thoughts towards others. I pray my prayer life and your prayer life allow us to shine bright for Him from being in His presents.

Thank you for being willing to pray for us and with us as we walk through these chaotic days and months!

Praise & Prayer Requests

• Praise: God has provided the funds Paul needed for his $1,300 training class in California…..thanks to you, our amazing support team!
• Praise: Another wave of  missionaries successfully returned to PNG.
• Praise: We thank the Lord for our health and His daily provisions!  

• Prayer: That Paul’s class in January happens.  This delays our return to PNG but is a very important delay!
• Prayer: That we would continue to grow in our faith!
• Prayer: Hard good-byes up ahead as we leave Maryland.
• Prayer: That the Lord would provide good renters for 1/2 of our house in Maryland.
• Prayer: Safety on the road as we drive from Maryland to Arizona (via Kansas)