Going Solo

The Claasen and Lockwood boys – hanging together.

The Unexpected

This week has brought some unexpected developments for the Pal team. Our partners, who are expecting their fourth child in early 2011, discovered that they will need to be closer to a doctor’s care until after the baby comes. So, starting next week or the week after, we’ll be the only missionary family in Pal. We’d appreciate your prayers for us as we will be missing their fellowship and partnership as we face the many challenges here.

I Smell a Rat

This morning as I went to visit a friend in his garden, I passed by a bush rat (sunala) caught by the neck in a trap. Might I say (without painting too much of a disturbing picture) that it was very very dead. Arriving at the garden house, I casually mentioned what I had seen in the trap and asked if the trap belonged to my friend or his father-in-law who stays with him. The hubbub immediately began with children being sent to bring back the carcass and yams readied for the feast (Yes- meat is a BIG DEAL here). Turns out that, because I saw the sunala in the trap and did not take it for myself, they were obligated to cook it and share it with me. May I say that, indeed, rat does taste like chicken and that I have not keeled over… yet… (is that  numbness in my toes from sitting too long or should I start to worry?)

Pray!

·         For our partners the Lockwoods as they make plans to return home – especially for the health of mom and baby and for the transition for their family.

·         For us and the boys – we are going to be surrounded by the our Pal friends, and yet there can be times of loneliness and isolation.

·         For quick ears. It seems that still we have to have our friends say things three or even four times before we understand them.

·         For our marriage – we are constantly on call (soon to be even more so) and we really need to make the time and space to circle the wagons every day.

·         For careful management of our resources. With NTM’s helicopter down and without our partners to share the load with, the costs of getting ourselves and supplies in (and out) of Pal will more than double.

·         For rest. We are planning a short break in a week or two to get checked out physically at the clinic and for the boys to experience school. This as well as our partner’s travel plans require a functioning helicopter. We are still waiting to hear if another mission can make these flights for us. Please pray that they would indeed be able to.

Kiki tulop (thank you) and munja pelep (good stomach) to you all,

Nate for the Cs

Posted via email from PNG Time