January 18, 2011
Dear Praying Friends,
Wow, 2010 is all history! We are already far into 2011 (and I still write the wrong year :)). We are so thankful to our Lord and Savior for His abundant grace and mercy towards us. 2010 was a year with many challenges, but with an even greater amount of blessings and encouragements. Thanks for your part in that and for your faithfulness in praying for us.
In November I had to make yet another trip to the US to keep my Green Card current and went back for an appointment in the INS office in Omaha which lasted about 10 minutes. God’s faithfulness in all that was exciting and encouraging, and it gave me the opportunity to visit 4 different churches in the 2 ½ weeks I was in the US. I also had the opportunity to have Benjamin & Wina and Philip along to visit our home church in Hesston, KS, and a church in Wichita, KS. I sure enjoyed traveling with them!
I got back to PNG Dec 7, and in many ways I feel like I have been in leadership meetings ever since then. It has also involved 2 trips to the West New Britain for meetings there too, and many opportunities to trust the Lord for direction. He is so faithful!
Over Christmas we had a few days off and were able to invite different missionaries over for meals. Physically it was very refreshing for us and very enjoyable to visit with coworkers. Spiritually it was also refreshing to have extra time to spend in His Word, and to be reminded again of God’s incredible love for us. Being here at a mission center also gave Daniel, Steffan, and Caleb an opportunity they really enjoyed in being part of a Christmas play. It went very well and the message was a good reminder that our focus not be on the “things” of Christmas but rather on the true meaning of Christmas instead.
Last week I made my second trip to West New Britain for regional meetings. I had to travel over a day early because of flights not working out on the day I wanted to travel. That gave me an opportunity to visit in Mangseng for the morning on Tuesday the 11th. I am guessing about 80 people got together and we had a very encouraging meeting together. Three of the brothers shared from the Word and at the end they also wanted me to share. Since my last visit they had torn down and rebuilt the old church building in a different spot in the clearing. In place of the old church building stands a new structure which isn’t finished yet, but it is built with 8 feet high steel posts holding up a roof structure which must be about 45’ by 30’. There are plans for putting in cement flooring and getting different stools or chairs instead of the previous benches. This is all their own doing, where to my knowledge no expat has been involved in any way. It was also a good reminder that our time as foreigners ministering regularly to them is over and they are looking to the Lord for guidance and are teaching their own children and families, and reaching out to others, also. I was very encouraged with my visit there.
Upon returning to the Highlands mission center, Rachel and I learned that our son, Karl (almost 18), is struggling in ways that are beyond what we can deal with here on the field. Our medical doctor and field leadership agree with us that it would be good for us to head back to the US to get the help that is needed. Therefore we are now busily preparing to leave. That means a lot of sorting, packing, placing in storage, arranging tickets, etc. etc. Our departure date isn’t set yet, but it looks like we will be leaving here about February 7. That should put us in the US about 2 days later.
It is with mixed emotions we prepare to leave. We are concerned for Karl and will need God’s wisdom in how to move on from here. There are issues he needs to learn to deal with in healthy ways, and he also needs to finish up High School. After that we will probably look into possibilities of vocational training/school for him. There are also the field ministry aspects that weigh heavy on us, and we know we are leaving a lot for others to do; still we rest in the fact that God is in control and that right now we need to be focusing on our family needs. We will greatly appreciate your prayers for us as we make this move. We desire that God be glorified in everything, and want to be sensitive to His leading. Pray too, that Karl will be open to receiving input into his life and that he will sense God’s leading in what should be the next steps in his life.
We will be settling into our home in Nebraska again where, at present, the rest of our family is. It will be a full house for sure! But we do look forward to seeing everyone again. Once we get back “home” we will correspond about plans while in the US.
Our address in the US is: 3301 Joann Ave. Bellevue, NE 68123 USA Phone: 402-505-3764 Cell: 402-319-1279
We also want to just briefly update you on David and how he is doing. He has had further medical tests and this latest doctor does not believe he has Lyme’s disease. He is working with the doctor on treatment to remove toxins in the body. We are praying that this will help him. He is still on disability, but has been told that by March he may lose his job with TD Ameritrade, if he isn’t able to return to work by then. This of course weighs heavy on David, but he is looking to the Lord in this also, and has expressed that if this happens he knows God will still take care of him and guide him. We are also thankful that we will be able to be of help to David over the next few months.
Thanks again for praying for us.
In Christ,
Peter and Rachel, Karl, Daniel, Steffan, and Caleb