"... now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? ...”
Luke 18:1 - 8
Praise the Lord! After having some years' renewels tense due to our age, this year's process went quite smoothly. We are praising God for streaming-lining the bureaucratic process.
"And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah,"
One of our dedicated missionary friends and former student is taking a 3-month sabbatical in Sentani. She will be exploring different serving options there and spending time in personal retreat to discern God's will. Please pray for "Clara."
"...Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself...."
A related ministry, Mission Aviation Fellowship, is moving a new pilot to Nabire in January. Pray for them as they acclimate to Papuan life and to the much needed ministry there.
"As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."
Please pray for Cecil and the rest of the "F" people community and their leaders, that they may be protected from physical and spiritual harm, that they may come to know the Lord if they don't, and grow in Him if they do, and to that end they may hunger for God's Word to the point of being eager to help make it happen.
"who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Many of our Hillcrest students are traveling from their home countries back to Papua to celebrate the season with their families. Pray for smooth connections.
"Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me."
Hillcrest has requested Valerie Johnson, a long-term missionary in Papua, to become our new director. Pray for her as she takes on this new responsibility.
"to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,"
Hillcrest always needs to have new teachers in the "pipeline" to work with missionary kids. Please pray for God to put it on people's hearts now to come serve.
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:"
On May 5 - 9, a Scripture Forge Al translation workshop will be held in Sentani. The speaker will be a South Korean translator with 30 years experience. He will be teaching how to utilize Scripture Forge's new AI feature to aid low-resource languages. Please pray for the preparations and attendees.
"For by people of strange lips
and with a foreign tongue
the LORD will speak to this people,"
Mary's father will be 99-years old on New Year's Eve. We are rejoicing in his long-life and his wisdom.
"With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
I am working with my father to decide what type of care he needs to receive. Please pray for good communication, and clarity of resources.
"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
When people are not filled with the Holy Spirit, lawlessness abounds. Recently the mission community has experienced personal assault, as well as robberies and thefts. This impedes the spreading of the Gospel and the desire to remain, by many, on the mission field. Pray for safety.
"A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you."
Our boys are at home with their family during this Christmas season. Pray for a bonding time, and also that they won't depart from habits established with us (making beds, helping out, etc.).
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,"
Our missionary community in Papua grew concerned about the lesion on my, Mary's, nose that they collected funds to send me to the US.
"...for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
I, Mary, had a procedure done to remove some basal cell carcinomas from my nose. All the abnormal cells were removed and I am now recovering. I am in Auburn, AL and hope to return to Papua in the middle of January.
Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the LORD.