Learning to read for long-term growth

September 10, 2016

This year Esta is learning to read. It’s pretty exciting to see the world of literacy open for her. It’s exciting but also requires her to work hard as she learns what the 26 letters look like and what sound (or sounds) each of those letters make or blend together to make. We’re still in […]

Money & Accounts

August 21, 2016

One of our church elders joked once, “Oh, here’s the missionary, looking for money!” I know he was joking, but over the last month or so I’m becoming more convinced that’s all people hear when we call and ask to share our ministry with them. There are times when I feel envious of Paul and […]

What if our pastors didn’t have support workers?

May 27, 2016

Imagine that you arrive at your church on Sunday morning. There is your pastor, greeting you at the door. You and the other church members and visitors go and find seats in the sanctuary, and in a little while, it’s time for the service to begin. But where is your pastor? Oh, there he is […]

Contentment

May 5, 2016

It’s been an emotional couple of weeks in our household. If you’ve followed our newsletters, you’ll remember hearing of how the Lord worked to sell our house in only 3 days on the market. The next month was a whirlwind! So many things that need to be orchestrated, completed, moved, and finished. The flood of […]

Family

March 25, 2016

Veteran missionaries have repeatedly told us that “Partnership devlopment is a time where the Lord teaches you many of the things you’ll need for the mission field.” And, well, they’re right. March’s blog theme, the 2nd generation, is exactly the push for me to share one of those lessons that I’ve been wanting to share […]

The Plow

February 14, 2016

Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Winters have never been good to me. During the winters, my grades have always slumped, I often end up depressed, and simply don’t ‘feel’ like doing anything. However, our God […]

And These Stones Shall be for a Memorial

February 9, 2016

In Joshua chapter 3, we read about Israel preparing to cross the Jordan river. Joshua tells the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” As the priests bearing the ark of the Lord step into the Jordan, the waters are cut off so that the people can cross on dry […]

Commitment

February 2, 2016

“… I walked here today to tell you all these things the Lord has been showing me these past few days. The Lord has brought you all to Wantakia to do His work, and you must finish it. Even if disaster comes upon you, you must continue to do the Lord’s work.” My wife and […]

Financial Update January 2016

January 25, 2016

This is going to be one of those truly practical posts. Right now, in Papua New Guinea, there is a team of IT people working to support the church planting efforts. The problem is that there aren’t enough workers to cover the need. Shortage of workers results in teaching materials not being completed as quickly, […]

Will not hell quicken me?

January 22, 2016

I’ve been reading Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening devotional, and in one of his writings, he said this: We are so sluggish that the best motives cannot quicken us, apart from the Lord himself. What! Will not hell quicken me? Shall I think of sinners perishing, and yet not be awakened? Will not heaven quicken […]