Now is the Chance

January 30, 2018

Queen is worried about the people in her village. We were sitting on short stumps in her warm kitchen, checking the lesson about Nicodemus. She was telling the story back by paragraphs, tracking well with what Jesus had said about being born again. A little later in that story, Jesus makes the point that the […]

The Best Terrible News from Home

August 12, 2017

We’ve been back in the States for a few weeks now and it’s been awhile since we’ve heard from anybody in the church in Patpatar. One of the elders of the church named Tokiung called me from a small town almost an hour from the village. He was waiting there with his family and all […]

Enjoying life at home

June 11, 2017

Fasting month here is a whole change of pace for us. It’s quiet most of the day, but crazy busy after dark. Early on an toward the end there are plenty of fireworks too. Some places are open to eat, but mostly, we don’t get to eat out much during this month. Every bit of […]

Broken Bones

January 27, 2016

One of the leaders of the clan told them that they would have to move out of the hamlet and that the teaching of God’s Word would no longer be allowed to happen there. Tokiung’s uncle was ‘at it again’ and this time it was even more severe. Tokiung, the pastor of the Patpatar church, […]

Ostman Thanksgiving

November 23, 2015

Thanksgiving - more than an American holiday! A time to thank God.

Feasting On The “Meat” Of God’s Word

May 21, 2010

One of the old customs among the Simbari is that they would stay up all night chanting their gratitude to the spirits as they anticipated an upcoming feast which included meat. You see, their diet consists mostly of vegetables and tuber foods, so eating meat is a rare treat for them and one they greatly […]

A PNG Summer

July 30, 2009

A visit from Esther, the tallest mountain in the country, a church team from home, sweet fellowship with tribal believers, a new school year, finishing up Romans and more