We’re Heading Back to PNG

This has been a long unpredictable year of change, but we finally received word late Monday night that our Papua New Guinea entry request was approved. YEAH!

What started as a 90 day quick trip to close up Andrea’s mother’s estate and help settle a family member into a good housing situation has turned into a 13 month COVID restricted craziness. The only thing that we found to be normal was change. We are sure many of you can relate.

From securing a good estate lawyer to completing necessary helicopter training we encountered cancelations, restrictions, new online ONLY services and delay. Even church as we’ve known it has changed. Some for the good and some for the worse. The sanctuary of our common faith, our “gathering together to worship God” has faced many restrictions and changes.

Now after months of waiting and re-scheduling it has turned to HURRY UP and GET GOING! Honestly, we are excited, relieved and overwhelmed all at the same time.

Pray for us as we complete dental check-ups for the kids, pack, supply buy, forward mail, COVID test, and work our way through the crazy long list of all that needs done before we step on the plane April 13.

Pray we do not lose sight of all that God has accomplished and is working to complete in us as we walk through these days (daze?). The battle is in the heart. Our attitude is our choice. May we chose godliness, love, and joy in all the chaos and rushing. May we not turn our eyes from HIM to look inward at self and feelings. This is ALL about HIM, our LORD JESUS CHRIST. To God be the glory.

HE Is In Control

Even as I write this update the Lord is providing answers that can only be HIM. Our kids needed a dental check-up and Phoebe a spacer removed before we head out. Andrea calls and gets an appointment for the next day with a great kid’s dentist. Then at the check-up there is further work needed and a May 11th appointment is offered. Andrea, holding back tears, asks “We are leaving the country in like a week. Is there anything else?”

Receptionist’s reply, “No. Sometimes there are cancellations though. I’ll put you on the list”

“Please.” Andrea accepts and begins her hour long drive back to our home in McNeal, Arizona. 10 minutes later the dentist office calls saying, “We have an opening for tomorrow morning at 9:30. Would that work?”

Praise God! We hope that we would be willing to praise Him even if the early appointment was not offered. It is special when HE clears the pathway.

We have been looking to the Lord earnestly and humbly.  What would you have us do Lord?  Are we done in PNG and You have something else for us here or wherever?

His direction for us seems clear through various answers much bigger than this simple dental appointment re-arrangement. From finances, to aviation training completion, to family and schedules, He has cleared the path for us to return to our ministry in PNG, which we love.

COVID-19 is on the Rise in PNG

Yes, it is in the international news and our field leadership has made us aware as well. So… why are you going back now?

Good question. We go because the need for the Gospel to go out is even greater than ever as we see our world speed towards things we read about in Bible prophecy.

Please pray for the nation of Papua New Guinea and their leadership, for wisdom and selflessness as they begin dealing with COVID-19 on a larger scale. There are other nations nearby that are helping, but they struggle with their own COVID-19 outbreaks and shortages. This truly is a worldwide crisis.

Thank you for being willing to pray for us and with us as we walk through these chaotic days and months. Also, thank you to those who support us financially. We know it is a sacrifice and we appreciate it.

Praise & Prayer Requests

• Praise: Our entry approval was granted by Papua New Guinea.
• Praise: We have our return tickets to PNG. Tax return + relief check + savings = Paid in full!
• Praise: Paul’s training is complete and we are healthy as a family. Kid’s teeth just got checked, also.
• Praise: The HVAC problem with our house in MD has been fixed after years of troubleshooting.
• Praise: God has provided a good renter for our house in MD.
• Prayer: That our return to PNG would go smoothly with COVID-19 restrictions and longer international routes required (Over 30 hrs fly time) then 2 weeks of quarantine.
• Prayer: That we would continue to grow in our faith!
• Prayer: Hard good-byes up ahead as we leave the US.
• Prayer: Paul’s mom is suffering with nerve pain in her hip/lower back.