What we say matters, what we do matters more.
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| The teachers and students at our January Bible Teacher Training. 5 local churches were represented in the week-long conference. |
1. Encouraging and building team: We've been busy over the last 6 weeks with Bible teacher training, consultant training and connections, mentoring new missionaries, and caring for those that are facing crisis. We are so glad to be part of the team that is engaged with and supporting the growing church in Papua New Guinea!
2. Seeking to sustain operations in the midst of a fuel shortage here. The main supplier of petroleum fuels for the entire country of New Guinea (and the only supplier of aviation fuels) has recently pretty much run out. This means that we had to quickly plan for contingency for all of our bush locations that are supported by our aviation program. Thankfully, the impact so far on the tribal churches is relatively minor. That said, all of the options for future fuel purchases before us (along with delays in access) will significantly impact the costs of travel for us missionaries and our tribal partners.
3. Enjoying doing our jobs. Elizabeth really enjoys teaching. The combination of great students and exciting topics is a daily highlight. Nate enjoys the challenges of a multifaceted role that includes a high-degree of people connection.
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| Nate teaches the Mesi church during a visit. One entire clan has decided that the Bible is about the secrets to wealth. Here we were encouraging the rest of the church in the truth and asking the clan that is believing heresy to repent. |
A few statistics: In the last 2 months...
Three bush churches have held baptisms for new believers to publicly announce their faith!
Six families have completed the first part of their orientation process and are moving toward integrating into support and both church planting ministries.
Two new church planting teams have begun to form.
Survey and research has been done for three more unreached people groups.
The leaders of national churches (29 of them) across the country have met together and made practical decisions to deepen their partnership with us.
Friends, we daily covet your prayers for us. We could not do what we are doing without you all who pray and give. Here are a few current prayer requests:
1. That there be reality and faithful love of the Lord first and foremost in our lives. When we are busy, it's just harder to be available to each other and build each other up at home.
2. That we would be ready always to listen, learn, and grow. We are confronted daily with our need here.
3. That we would love well by encouraging, challenging, and correcting those that we are responsible for. Especially that we do this with whole-hearted dependence on our Lord.
4. There is significant work for us to do over the next month. After 5 years here at a smaller support center, we will be moving to our national support center in order to help meet some critical needs there and still be able to continue our other work. Packing and moving while still keeping ministry going will be intense. Pray for Elizabeth's sister Emily who will travel to help us with this task in a few weeks.
5. That the fuel crisis here in country will end soon. We had planned to get in to see the Mesi church in March, but that trip has been canceled due to lack of fuel. The church really could use a visit - both for encouragement and confronting.
Lastly:
Today, I was thinking about how the most important mentors that I've had in my life are the ones that haven't just told me what God's Word has to say about what is good and true. Instead of just studying and being able to tell me about it, those mentors have been able to speak clearly and also have lived the life of conformity to Jesus. So, as I was thinking about this, I ran across this quote that is uniquely applicable to Biblical discipleship: "The reality unfolds in the doing." So, my prayer for you all is that the reality of God's good and perfect ways unfolds and becomes tangible for you and those around you as you seek to be conformed to them.
Grace and Peace,
Nate for us 5
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