I've been working out a post in my head for well over a month now. We've seen a lot of wild changes here lately, but now it all seems not as critical as it did 2 days ago. It's astounding how a single event can alter so many things, even your view of the Almighty.
We've been serving in Papua New Guinea for nearly a decade now. If you know our story (https://www.liveforgodandlive.com/story) then you know that Nori was God's catalyst in getting us here. She was spunky and tenacious then and she is spunky and tenacious now. We fiercely love her.
The hard part of that is that there is an enemy roaming about and he knows what we care about. I don't know if I heard this in my tenure here or if I read it in a missionary biography, but Satan will often leave you alone and go after your kids to try and thwart God's kingdom progressing. We have seen that play out time and time again in our years of service. The truth is that even a person that can endure a lot, can't endure watching their loved ones suffer—especially when they are young and vulnerable. The spiritual warfare over our children is a real one; I can't stress that enough. Don't ever stop praying for your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews... pray for their protection, discernment, salvation, submission to Christ, growth in the Spirit, Joy!...
Kristi and I laid down for bed Saturday night and she prompted me to pray for our kids. I asked for God's protection over each one of them and then closed my eyes to go to sleep. Moments later, Nori came to us for help. She had purposefully overdosed on some pills but now wanted help. We had just hugged all the kids goodnight like normal; there were no confrontations predicating the act like one might expect, but in a moment she listened to the wrong voice and decided that she didn't want to feel anymore. In the darkest of times, God did not leave her alone; He was present and moving. He prompted us to call out to Him, He heard our prayer, He whispered gently in her ear and He acted. She came to us for help when all reason said that she shouldn't have. We rushed Nori to the clinic here and the incredible doctors and nurses worked tirelessly through the night to combat what was done. The 12 hours that followed were a battleground of corporate prayer as the Body of Christ jumped into action and waited to see what God would do. There were multiple times during the night that we heard "She's in danger of heart failure" and we cried out to the Lord and waited. We praise His merciful hand for answering "That's enough! No further!" God is gracious! The enemy wanted to destroy Nori's life using her own hands. God said no! We praise His holy name!
I can say with certainty that the darkest moment of my life now was that night. In my desperation, I cried out to the Lord and played worship songs to comfort my heart and remind me of the Lord's character in times just like this. Banner and I had just picked out an album together the day before that was on my phone. When I got to the song "I Will Wait for You" (Hymns Live by Shane & Shane) I listened to it over and over and wept. Through the night it was a tremendous comfort to me. Later Sunday afternoon it was on my mind to go back and look at the song title because I remembered that it was based on a Psalm and I wanted to read it. I saw that the song was written from Psalm 130 so I went to the Bible app on my phone to read it. I was surprised when Psalm 130 popped right up without me having to search for it. By God's sovereign providence, that was the Psalm that I read Saturday morning as part of my Scripture reading plan! That was the word He gave me beforehand. He was already preparing us and holding us. I can't praise Him enough!!!
Nori flew out first thing Monday morning to the US with Kristi and our dear friend Inah to get the care she needs right now. Banner, Millie and I plan on joining them in December. Nori's health and heart are our priority, but we plan on coming back to PNG soon when God makes a way. Thank you for your prayers for Nori and for our family! Thanks to all of you that have offered your notes, encouragement, and support in all kinds of ways already—you are God’s hands and feet! Please pray for Kristi as she navigates all these things without me next to her, and please continue to lift Nori up to the Lord—that He will save her journey, now that He’s saved her life. We'll update more when we can :)
Also, please reach out and let us know how we can be praying for your kids. I really mean that, more now than ever!
Psalm 130 (NLT)
1 From the depths of despair, O Lord,
I call for your help.
2 Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.
3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
4 But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
5 I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
6 I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
His redemption overflows.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from every kind of sin.