"... 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
One of our newer teams writes they had a good first visit to their village. They feel this project is on solid footing and they can proceed. PTL!
And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; but as it is written,
“THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE,
AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.”
Two church planters working interior ask for help: "My coworker & housemate, Joanna, and I are looking for a group of 4-6 builders who would be willing to fly interior (on our tab), probably around the beginning of May so the flight can happen before the start of our rainy season." They need replacement of their solar power system and carpenters to replace roofs. Other projects include plumbing needs and electrical wiring. Pray the Lord will send workers for these projects.
Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work.
The translation team to the "K" will be traveling to several of the villages in their area. They will be reading through the translation of the New Testament in order to check the readability (understanding and clarity) to the "K" people. This is a new venture for the translation team.
Pray for good safe travels. Flying can be treacherous in New Guinea (New Guinea is the name of the island itself).
I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them.
Our high school is back from serving in the highlands of Papua in an area called Mokndomo (Mock-in-dough-mo). God kept them safe from injuries and other maladies. They were met with gladness and rejoicing during the time interior.
The LORD sustains all who fall
And raises up all who are bowed down.
PTL! We are moved into our new house. The housing costs are reduced, it is closer to the boys' school, and provides a big yard for play and for gardening.
"You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing."
The Middle School at HIS will be having a week-long emphasis on missions from March 28 through April 1. Please pray for this effort, that a vision for saving the lost will be developed.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Praise the Lord! We recently had some rather torrential rains for two nights. The fears were high there would be a repeat of the disastrous floods of 2019. Such did not happen. Pray, however, that the real fear of destruction these floods may cause would turn hearts and minds to the Savior.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
I am in the planning stage of my summer travel. Pray that I make wise decisions. (FYI, one of those decisions has been to register for the Ligonier Conference in B'ham in August, right before I fly back to Papua. I would love for someone to sit with me and share Godly fellowship together. Let me know!) The main purpose of my travel is to monitor my blood condition.
The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
The same translation team reported that in February a van carrying 16 people, including children, tipped over. Praise the Lord no one was seriously hurt.
Uphold me that I may be safe,
That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.
A long-term translation team recently returned from the village back to Sentani. One of the team confided that this session had fewer requests for medicare than they usually have.
For they [God's Words] are life to those who find them
And health to all their body.
An annual prayer request, Hillcrest needs teachers for the next school year. There are indeed challenges to serving in Papua, as it takes time to raise support, and now, many requirements to meet in order to travel internationally. Pray for stalwart souls who are willing to take up the challenge and serve God by teaching those on the mission field.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
There seems to be an increased fear of covid infection here in Papua. The boys' school is not meeting in person and Hillcrest's student population is decimated by those quarantining. Please pray the Lord will intervene so the students may return to in-person classes.
The LORD will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, You restore him to health.