Thanks for Praying

We wrote in our June update that our summer plans quickly changed when Paul’s dad, Marvin Blackburn, took a turn for the worse and was nearing death.  Once we made the decision that Paul needed to fly back to Kansas, a day later he was on a plane.  We asked you to pray for his tight connections and we wanted to share with you how God answered.  He made all his flights and we both were amazed at how quickly he got to Kansas.  Sadly, he did not make it to see his dad before he passed.  But Paul was glad he went to be there for his mom and the family.  She is still in the nursing home and we are thankful for family there who continues to visit.  Paul had several weeks to spend with her as she mourned Marvin.  We are thankful that both his parents are Believers!

At the time Paul left Papua New Guinea, he was the only PNG licensed mechanic in our hangar.  What did this mean for the program?  Would service flights in and out of bush locations be affected?  We asked you to pray.  God provided in two amazing ways.  One of our licensed mechanics, who was currently on home assignment, was able to come back for a couple weeks.  And towards the end of his time here, we got word that the mechanic who was waiting for his PNG license to get approved, got it issued!!!  So while it was still a stretching time in the hangar, it has been neat to see how the Lord provided.

We are now enjoying being together and hope to enjoy these last couple of weeks before school starts.  Paul has already returned to the hangar… just in time for the above mentioned co-worker to take a much needed break.  (Did we mention that he has 4 young boys?)  Andrea has been busy preparing to teach Life Science next year.  The kids have been busy ignoring that they will return to our mission school in early August.  (They seriously love our school… but it is still school!)  Pray for Phoebe as her Life Science teacher is rumored at being strict.  🙂

We are so amazed and thankful for your prayers.  It is neat when we can see directly how God answers.  We know He always does!!  We will list a few prayer requests below as well, but we wanted to mention one in particular.  Paul’s trip home was not something we had saved for.  We are thankful for emergency funds that helped cover this but now that needs to be replenished.

• Praise:  Paul’s travels went smoothly and as quickly as possible.  He was able to spend a few weeks visiting with his mom.
• Praise:  We thank the Lord for the aviation team.  While Paul was gone, one co-worker cancelled his break.  Another came back from the States to help out.  And finally we are thankful for another co-worker mechanic receiving his PNG license.
• Praise:  New co-workers!  It’s the time of year when new folks arrive here at our support center.  Just this last week a new aviation mechanic family arrived.  And two new pilot families will be coming soon!
• Praise:  That God is at work changing lives in PNG for His eternal glory.
• Prayer:  For Paul’s mom as she mourns Marvin’s passing and learns to do life alone after 21 years of marriage.
• Prayer:  For more laborers for His work in PNG. From bush missionaries to teachers and carpenters, most departments struggling.
• Prayer:  For the kids as they prepare to head back to our mission school.  (They have been homeschooled for the last 2 years.)  Phoebe will be entering 7th and Josh is going into 5th.
• Prayer:  For our finances.  May we be wise stewards of what the Lord has given us.