Post Haste

Last week we had a few comments about Tim’s seeming lack of interest in school. Here is a second picture (taken at the same time and place) proving that whatever expressions he was putting on were for goof factor more than windows into his soul… (turns out it was a convenient time to gather ammunition for any future dating relationships he may have…)

Showing Up

Many times, when we think of the job that we are doing here in Pal, we think in terms of tasks to be done. We have a whole list of church-plant related things to be working on that is daunting at best. Not to mention the basics of living here (we are again catching our laundry water to flush toilets, this week we caught a 4’ long snake hanging from the house, and we are battling the mold on the inside of every surface in the house…)

What we have been working on together though is the simple task of showing up each day expecting to be met by our gracious and wise Lord. I’ve been practicing leaving the house and consciously telling myself that along the road, in the village, or in the garden, I will be met and my insufficiency will be turned upside down by the God who promises to bring Himself the honor that He is due. I can’t say that it is easy always to go places and insert ourselves into life here in Pal. Some days, many days, it is an effort to take that first step out the door. Would you continue to pray for us that we would persevere walking forward in the task that is before us – expectantly and energetically.

Just some shots of our friends who came this weekend to clear ground for our partner’s house. We have a great time, but Elizabeth and I are both on Vitamin I(buprofen) in the aftermath.

Tall Houses

We are almost ready to go cut posts for the new house with our friends here. One of the things that our Pal friends warned us about is making the house too high above the ground. The reasoning that we were given was this – earthquakes are common here and a tall house is bound to move around more than a shorter house (it doesn’t help either that the wood posts we get average about 10 pounds per foot of length).  For us it is a trade-off  - a taller house (ie: earthquake dancer) means more privacy (a precious commodity) whereas a shorter (stronger) house means lots of folks staring in at the windows… (‘Hi there, what’s for supper?’)

Please pray for us that we will be able to help our partners lay out the new house and decide on a length for the posts as soon as possible. We really are hoping to get started putting posts in the ground by the end of August and just preparing them is a several day project.

Thanks again for your faithful support.

Nate for the Claasens

Posted via email from PNG Time