Zoom meetings, stocking up on TP, and Education...

Our adopted home country is tracking quite a bit behind the rest of the world as we face Covid-19.  As of today, five cases have been confirmed in the country, and we expect more positive cases to come.  We have been thanking God for His mercy in protecting PNG from a deluge of cases, and we are still asking Him to do that.

What are our days full of right now?

We aren't (yet) under travel bans or home confinement strictures, but our area has an evening curfew, schools aren't allowed to convene, and large groups are banned.

Elizabeth and the guys are hard at work in the mornings on school work.  We're thankful for our mission school staff that provided assignments and textbooks, and we're thankful for the handful of other teens on our center that have been getting together for PE in the afternoons - volleyball, soccer, spikeball and more.  

*Insert picture of messy house covered with paper.  All. the. time.  Maybe one or two other moms can relate?!  Thankful for our terrific teens who are working hard and also are looking for ways to serve others!*

Nate's role of coordinator has been, literally, ringing off the hook.  Last week, his work included:

-a trip to town to try to purchase a gas ring for a jungle missionary whose oven had died

-several hours of talking and praying with a team trying to make a difficult decision about a helicopter flight.

-time spent encouraging and getting to know a new missionary couple that is learning the national language and culture.   

-meeting with our print staff and talking through difficult decisions with them as there are fewer printing projects right now.

-leading a focused time of prayer for each of our 20 church-planting works as well as established mature churches here in PNG.

-time spent 'debriefing' a family heading back to their home country next week for a home assignment.  "What have you been encouraged in?  What are some of the current struggles that the church is facing?  What are some stresses you might be facing as you return? How can we better come alongside you?"

-helping another translator with the last computer details for a book prepared for evangelistic teaching.

-meeting with our center leadership and then all of our center members to talk through readiness for possible government measures related to Coronavirus.

*Insert picture of Nate texting with someone in a jungle location or talking with someone in a jungle location or writing an email to someone in a jungle location...you get the idea.  Not too exciting, but crucial!*

Will you pray with us this week?

• Pray for the citizens and leaders of PNG.  Some have said to us, "We know that this big sickness is coming, and we've heard that if we get it, we will die."  It 's been a great opportunity to educate ("No!  Most people who get it recover just fine on their own.") and to remind others of the hope that we have in Christ.  Our Prime Minister recently posted a statement also pointing the nation to Christ - wow!  We are thankful!

• Pray for Nate's peace of heart and mind as he carries a heavy load these days.  Pray that he will have wise and careful words as he walks alongside others.

• Pray for me as I homeschool and also as I shoulder the role of Homeschool Coordinator for our area for the next months.

In the midst of all of this, praise wells up as we are pointed back AGAIN and AGAIN to the ROCK who is our sure foundation in the midst of uncertain times.  "...He is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."  Psalm 62:7-8