Of Scope and Focus

## It’s been a while since we’ve posted here – but we hope this is our return to regular updates. Between transition from the States back into Pal last month and our cell-internet service being extremely flaky, our email usage has been very limited. Thanks for your patience. ##

 

 

(Left) Elizabeth hangs with some friends in a nearby village. (Right) Nate and Avulul baptize a pal believer.

Scope

It has been three weeks since we stepped off the helicopter. Leaving the world of family, friends, highways, and yes, even McDonalds (sorry Elias) behind and stepping into the jungle world of Pal. We have been struck again by the range of things that we could or even should be doing as part of our lives here. Here are some of things that the last three weeks have held:

·        Unpacking and cleaning our bush house… that has serious critter infestations (bats, ants, and snakes)… and is in need of other maintenance.

·        Meeting and talking with our coworkers who have left for their home assignment. Hearing about how the last year has gone.

·        Baptism interviews with 40 Pal men and women (and baptisms). Our son Noah got baptized as well!

·        Being the only possible medical care for a woman with a retained placenta (4 days)… she was a 3 hour hike away. (Yes we went and yes she has survived.)

·        Graduation of literacy classes 7 and 8 from our Pal literacy school. Also helping to coordinate and plan our post-literacy program.

·        Testing and training both old and new literacy school teachers.

·        Writing and teaching Bible lessons. Including talking through the concepts and checking our handouts in the office. (Sundays and Wednesdays are teaching days)

·        Helping to fix various tools and flashlights for Pal friends.

·        Attending evening worship meetings with the Pal believers. (These also happen on Sundays and Wednesdays)

·        Planning to hike to see a new missionary family (6 hours round trip).

·        Responding to requests for help in bringing in durable goods to Pal.

·        Teaching believers to read and study the Bible systematically.

·        Helping the kids figure out what they should be doing each day.

·        Homeschool preparation.

·        And a myriad of other minor issues… (people with jungle sores, other illness, tuberculosis, requests for nails, soap, charging mobile phones, flashlight loans, answering burning questions, etc.)

 

(Left) Balloons are a special treat for the Pal kids… they only last a few minutes though. (Right) Gas, a Pal friend, reads through one of our lesson handouts.

 

Focus

With so many things that are both important and urgent to take our attention, we feel acutely our limited energy, understanding, and, well, human-ness. Simply put, we cannot do it all, much less do it all well. We are asking that you, our friends pray with us for wisdom so that we can focus on the things that God would have us focus on. We are trusting Him to direct us in who we should invest in. With ~250 baptized Pal believers scattered over many miles of rugged terrain, there is no way we can meet regularly with them all. We are trusting Him to direct us in what materials we need to prepare. Currently we are doing Bible lessons, Bible study training, and literacy school materials. We are trusting Him to direct us in our use of time. How much time in the office? With family? With people? Medical work? Fixing things (our house as well as helping people)? Discipleship happens in real life, not just in church, and we want to make sure that we do not neglect this critical component of a maturing church.

 

Thanks so much for praying with us.

Nate

 

PS: 2 Quick notes –

1.      On the way into PNG we found that our boys’ entry permits need to be renewed this year. That means that Elizabeth will be taking the boys for a month-long stay in Australia in September. This was unexpected and will be a bit tough for all of us. Elizabeth in particular will need to figure out getting around in a new place, keeping up with homeschool, along with getting some pretty intensive jaw-related work done. Please pray for her as we try to coordinate a dentist, housing, flights etc.

2.      We’ve been utilizing Facebook a bit more this term – some photos and quick updates a couple of times a week. If you aren’t already our Facebook friend – you can add us – Nate ‘n Elizabeth Claasen . We look forward to your virtual friendship.

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