Autumn Adventures

Sometimes we wish life had those road signs, “Caution — Curves Ahead.”  We started our last update out with how thankful we have been for a little bit of routine in our life here in southern Arizona.  And while that is still somewhat true, we just didn’t know what was coming.  Aren’t you glad to know that we have a loving heavenly Father who not only knows what is going to happen, but will use EVERYTHING that happens in our lives to draw us closer to Him and conform us to the image of His Son?

We closed out the summer here with a nice visit from family — Andrea’s sister, Michelle & son Caleb.  It was great spending time together and also showing them some of what Ethnos360 Aviation does to support tribal missions all over the world. (SIDE NOTE:  If you would like to come for a visit and not only see us but get a first hand look at what is done here, drop us a note.  You won’t be forced to stay with us (unless you want to enjoy the lovely hospitality of our homeschool/guestroom) as there is a wonderful guesthouse just steps away from our backdoor.)

Sadly during this time we got word that Paul’s brother, Dan Wilson, passed away.  This was unexpected and we sure do appreciate those who have been praying.  We are thanking the Lord that we are “in country” as dealing with his estate has fallen to Paul.  As many of you know, this can be a lengthy process and we appreciate being closer.  Well, at least in neighboring time zones.

On our last update we asked prayer for Phoebe’s Perthes disease.  We are happy to report that the doctor now believes it is not showing up in her left hip!!  Her right hip continues to give her daily pain and she can’t walk on it for more than a few minutes.  As the femoral head reforms, we are praying that that will get better.  She goes back to the doctor in January where we will get closer to deciding if we are able to return to PNG in the summer of 2023.   We are so thankful to have a therapy pool for her to enjoy and get some pain-free exercise!

Paul has been busy helping with various projects around our training center.  Repairing and maintaining the buildings, roads and yards seems a never ending job.  The weather here in the high desert is turning cooler so that is helping.  Several new folks have arrived to start their aviation training  and recently two families completed their training.  One of those families will be heading to Papua New Guinea!  It has really encouraged our hearts to be a part of seeing folks prepare for their ministries.  The aviation demands on all our fields continues to increase.

New Bible Teaching in PNG:  We are extremely excited for the chronological Bible teaching currently happening among the Maliyali people in the western Sepik area of Papua New Guinea. First the Earls, Muellers, and Rimestads introduced the Maliyali people to the concepts of geography and time. They then, in the following days, started in Genesis teaching the people about who God is—that He existed before everything and that He created all things. They explained that God created man and gave him purpose and provided woman as a partner for him.

The Maliyali people learned about Adam and Eve’s sin and separation from God.  They felt the heaviness of that separation and understood why their lives are hard. But thankfully, the story doesn’t end there, and they learned about God’s promise to Adam and Eve that He would send a man to “cut a road” to bring people back to Him. YO MATIFU MOFI (Yo: road; Matifu: Maliyali verb for cutting a path through the jungle; Mofi: man).

The Maliyali people saw today something that they have been seeing their whole lives – the absolute sorrow and damage sin has brought upon this world, their families and on their very own lives. A good friend of ours, Trusen, responded to the teaching today saying, “See, we are all the same. These are our ancestors, and we are all destroyed because of sin. I am waiting for this road cutting man, you say He will help us, that he can get us back to God, I am waiting for Him.” Rachel Mueller

Praise the Lord for the understanding the Maliyali people have had during the lessons so far. Pray for the team as they continue to show the people step by step that they can trust God to provide this “road cutting man” to make them right with Him as they progress through the biblical narrative toward the Savior. Pray for protection over the team and the people, that there would be no obstacles or distractions that would keep them from hearing the good news to come!

Praise & Prayer Requests

• Praise: The Maliyali people are hearing & understanding the Bible in their language.
• Praise/prayer: That we could be here to deal with Paul’s brother’s estate.
• Praise/prayer: Healing for Phoebe as she continues this journey of Perthes.
• Prayer: Continued Bible teaching amongst the Maliyali people; for good health, no distractions and good understanding.
• Prayer: For Paul’s mom, Marie Blackburn, as she struggles with chronic pain in hip/back and dizziness.