There are big changes for our family this March. We are spending the month in Alotau, filling in for the regional center managers here. Alotau is at the southeastern tip of PNG. It’s a coastal location, and hot as can be. Millie gets a sweat mustache just reading books in the morning as she waits for someone to make her breakfast!
By being here this month we are getting to be a part of some really cool things.
Our serving here is allowing the current regional managers a chance to attend SIL’s bi-annual Branch Conference held in Ukarumpa—giving them a chance to reconnect with the rest of our SIL teammates and discuss issues and ideas to move Bible translation forward. While here, we are the acting support staff for 3 different translation projects nearing their final phases! That means they are in draft checking mode. It’s such a blessing to be able to walk alongside these teams who have spent much of their lives dedicated to bringing a Bible translation to the language groups that God brought them to. Also, John will hopefully be able to tackle some property maintenance to the center while we are here, like gutter repairs, drainage issues, and whatever else he can find to straighten out.
The staff at this center is comprised of five Papua New Guineans, most of whom are new to working with SIL. Besides working alongside them, John will have the chance to lead morning devotions three days a week with them too. Please pray for Dora, Kelly, Susan, Mathew, and Samson as we work and grow together this month. And please pray for the full time center managers, Joe and Heather Patrick, as they travel to Ukarumpa, Branch Conference, and then back here at the end of the month.
Please pray for all the work we have in this new location—that we can do it well, and glorify God with our words, actions, and attitudes. Pray that even though there is an abundance of work to be done here we will find some rest and peace this month as a family.
Please pray for CAM as John has stepped away from his team in a fairly busy time.
Please pray that the kids transition well again. Pray they will soak in their school work, and love on our new friends here. Pray they are safe and healthy. As I write this we found lice for the first time in our family since moving here almost 2 years ago. I personally feel this must be some sort of record, and am so grateful it has taken so long. But it was a long day of tears I don’t wish to live through again.
Please pray for our financial support. Pray that God will continue to surprise us with His creativity and generosity through His people and His church.
Thank you for taking the time to love on us while we are so far away by lifting us up to our Lord.
Blessings!
John and Kristi and the kids
Ps. We are praying for you! Please let us know if you have any specifics you would like us to be praying for:)
And here are a few pictures of God's majesty for you…
