August 2011 Praises & Prayer Requests

In one week we will board the first of seven flights as we make our way from Papua New Guinea to the east coast of the US.  Many of you are aware that we had to move up our home assignment time as we are expecting in mid November.  We have a ton of praises and prayer requests that we wanted to share with you:

Praises:

• While traveling home, we are able to break up the long Pacific flight by island hopping!  We are thankful for air miles and also discount lodging that is available.
• We have a place to stay in the Southern Maryland area as well as a car to use.
• We both have doctor’s appointments lined up within DAYS of our arriving.  (Ob/gyn for Andrea & allergy doctor for Paul).
• The Lord provided a replacement for Andrea in the hangar office.
• Last month we took part in doing a Vacation Bible School for our missionary kids here on centre.  Thanks South Potomac Church for donating the supplies!!
• Dinangat believers are standing strong.  Recently some religious leaders in the region came to challenge the missionaries in areas of church practice. They were threatening to remove the missionaries if they didn’t comply with their demands.  Our pilots were able to fly in our leadership as well as the local police.  It was so TOTALLY AMAZING to hear how the tribal believers not only stood up to this opposition, but rejoiced in the fact that they were able to stand this trial for Christ’s sake.  During the meeting, directed by the police, the Dinangat believers wanted to put “cold water” on the anger of these religious leaders (which is counter-cultural).  One after another they each gave their testimonies to how Jesus has changed them and of their love for God.  At the end these religious leaders actually shook hands with the missionaries, apologized and left.  This trial, a tool of Satan, was used by God to strengthen His Church!!!

Prayer Requests:

• Safety while traveling.  (Andrea will just be into her 3^rd trimester and is not looking forward to the crammed “economy class” flights).
• Needs at the hangar.   Paul is leaving our maintenance team that is already short-staffed.  (Actually we are “hurting” in all areas of our aviation program – pilots, mechanics and administrative staff).  Please join us in praying for more laborers as well as strength and wisdom for those standing in the gap.
• Safe and healthy pregnancy.  (And wisdom as we rely on God for help with all the transitions ahead.)
• It is “our plan” to return to PNG in April 2012.  Pray that we use our time wisely in the States and are sensitive to God’s timing.
• Chronological Bible teaching going on amongst the Siar people out in the islands region of Papua New Guinea.