An Incredible Summer

Please remember that we do what we do in dependence on the Lord. Please do not cease to pray for the Mesi church - especially the men and women that the Lord is raising up to lead them.

Praying:

• Thank the Lord with us for the four men that have taken on the role of shepherds in training for the Mesi church in Abasakul. Also for the three more that are in training as teachers in the church in Nabalume.
• Thank the Lord with us for the humble hearts and desire for growth that is evident in the conversation and attitudes of the men and women of the church,
• Also, we are thankful to be together again after being apart for most of the month of August. Other than Noah and Tim that is, thankfully those young men are working away at their studies in their respective schools.
• Pray for truth to rule in the Mesi church and for strength for them to confront false thinking and rumor that so often disrupts the community. Pray for them too, for holiness and carefulness as they grow closer together. It can be a very tempting thing for some of the men and women to seek inappropriate relationships as they grow closer as a body.
• Pray for us as we make decisions about our house in Mesi-land. After 16 years, the jungle is having its revenge on the structure.
• Pray for us as we balance our home and work lives - both Elizabeth and I have fairly heavy loads of responsibility and we'd love to do a good job with those things. 
• Pray for the teams that we are working with - for unity and mutual encouragement.
• Pray also for provision for and safety in travel. 
• Pray for our boys as they adjust to new responsibilities. Noah is functioning as a student leader this year and Tim is meeting new challenges with college level classes. Pray too for good work for Tim, he has a job, but he needs to get some hours in to keep up with college bills.

Thanks so much for partnering with us in prayer and thanksgiving!

And now, the news.

Thanks so much for praying for us and for the Mesi church these last few months. We are back on the ground in Papua New Guinea after a whirlwind time in the States that included:

Reconnecting with Family.

Nate's grandmother was excited to share some S'Mores.

Elizabeth and her dad enjoyed goofing around.

Tim got his first real job!

Working as a CAD designer meant dressing up a little.

Good connections with Noah.

Helping friends and family in practical ways.

Grandpa gives the boys roofing instruction.

A few fun side trips.

Settling Tim in at Cedarville University in Ohio.

Now, we are back in PNG and fitting in to some new roles as well. 

Elizabeth's students working together on a project.

Elizabeth is working half *cough* time at the mission school here teaching social studies. She is loving the combination challenge of presenting interesting material and discipling young men and women in how to think clearly and biblically about the world around them. Pray for her as she tries to balance her expectations on herself.

We are also hosting an auxiliary son this year. Noah Swenson is a senior here at the school, whose parents are hard at work among the Tanguat people in the Ramu valley. We are encouraged at how he is fitting in to the family here. Please keep us and the Swenson family in your prayers in this process.

Nate is continuing his role as Director of Church Development and also is in daily conversation with Mesi men. There is a real need to continue to develop materials and disciple the Mesi believers. That said, there are 43 active church planting works here in PNG that are also needing care and encouragement. We would appreciate prayer for wisdom in how to meet the real needs around us.

Again, thanks so much for you prayer and partnership!

Nate for the family