Originally published December 12, 2025
I’m not where I should be . . . or am I?
I was planning on writing this update from Hoskins right before the ladies’ retreat I’m facilitating there starting tomorrow, but instead, I am still in the capital city, Port Moresby after three failed flight attempts to get to Hoskins. I’m disappointed and sleep deprived. So as you read this, please remember I’ve had probably 8 hours of sleep in the last two days, and please forgive any typos or sloppiness!
I know this is a situation in which I need to lean on the Lord and on the knowledge that He has good for me, even after 3 missed/cancelled flights, standing in line at 3:25 a.m. and 7 hours in a crammed and overcrowded airport terminal. I know many people here and there were praying for me to make those flights, and yet, I’m still not where I was supposed to be right now.
But, I am at my favorite hotel in PNG, drinking a coffee with honey, with access to my favorite pool in all of PNG and a bed to sleep in, food and safety. I was able to call and read an Advent story to my niece earlier today. There are good things amidst the hard things.
He allows both the hard and the good in our lives. Even though it’s hard, doesn’t mean it’s bad. When will I learn that I can trust Him with both? I am surrounded by so many co-workers here who exemplify this, and I know the Lord is still growing me in understanding this trust and reliance. May I glorify Him as I learn to trust Him despite the disappointments.
The Lord has been sustaining me through the gift of people returning for a short time for visits and affirming words from those outside of PNG who are using my materials. He really has gone above and beyond in giving me these reassurances from people I know and even those I don’t.
Angie used to head up our ladies’ prayer group and it was a gift to have her back for a short time to join us as a prayer warrior and a blessing, a bright light of joy. Beka served here awhile back and had to leave for medical reasons, but came back to invest in the ladies with a beautiful reflection retreat. It helped me in many ways to think through the “storms” we face here.
I had a chance to get away for two days to the nearby Sobega Center to reflect some more on using the truth of Scripture to combat the anxieties and fears that we face. It’s always beautiful there and I was able to spend some time with the Sanders, who have always been a gift to me, since their kids were small still!
I’ve been running again and made it up to 25 minutes! When I say running, I actually mean slow jogging, but it’s given me the opportunity to see the beauty around me again. Most of last year, I only walked with friends after dark, and I work every day up until it’s almost dark out, so I was never seeing the beautiful landscape, so I’m grateful to be outside in the daylight again!
Ladies’ dinner and a Bible Study group dinner to celebrate the end of our fall study. Pray for us as we decide what to study starting in January. A few of us also joined together for a mini advent retreat that helped us reflect on waiting expectantly for the Lord.
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