SWEET TRANSITION
G R A T E F U L.
That really is the word I would use during this sweet transition into life in Papua New Guinea. I know Thanksgiving was last week, but I am actively choosing a heart of gratefulness these days so I am going to keep it going.
SO WHAT HAS LIFE CONSISTED OF THE LAST FEW MONTHS?
ONE . STUDENT MINISTRY
The mission I am with (Ethnos360) typically brings in new Tribal Church Planters (which is what I am) two times a year and you are immediately put into orientation filled with culture + language learning for the first 7-10 months. They allowed me to come 3 months early to spiritually invest into the jr. high and high schoolers living in the country. Each of these students have parents who serve with the mission in some capacity, some as bush missionaries planting churches and translating scriptures, some are pilots or mechanics, some work in the clinic, business office or in the school. There are about 60 jr.high/high school students in the school on this base alone. And because I have been here 7 times before to run camp, many of these students I have known since they were in elementary school. Planning a weekly Bible study, meeting up with students individually for discipleship, planning events for them and building deeper relationships has taken up a majority of my time in this season and I have been blessed by each moment. These students have truly blessed me in so many ways. They are generous, thoughtful, grateful, have servant hearts and are just really fun. (check out the video below to see some of what we have been up to!)TWO . LANGUAGE LEARNING
I have gotten a jump start on the national language, Tok Pisin, by building friendships with the workers here on center. I have been able to pick up some basic language that I will build on once I move to the Madang Province in January and start formal orientation/language learning. The citizens working on the base have brought me great joy and have taught me more than just practical expressions, nouns and verbs.THREE . GAINING WISDOM + FRIENDSHIP
One of the gifts in this season has been getting to know the families here on the base. Some are families who live here are in a support role and others are finishing up translation work and have moved out of the bush so the church can continuing to mature. These families have welcomed me into their home for a meal, gone on walks with me, cried with me as I transition into a new life, shared their stories, immense amounts of wisdom and have included me in times of prayer for the work being done throughout the country. I have experienced the kindness of the Lord through so many of these families.FOUR . TIME WITH PNG BELIEVERS
I have been blessed to experience one of the national churches here by going to a few of their Bible Studies and joining them for a once a month church service where all the villages in that language group come from near and far to worship as one Body. It is not perfect but I find it so beautiful. They are the second language group that New Tribes Mission entered back in the 50s. Once a people without hope, but God’s Word was taught to them, it took root in their lives and over fifty years later there is over 40 churches within their language group meeting together weekly, growing and continuing to learn what it looks like to trust the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and to love their neighbor as themselves.FIVE . TIME WITH JESUS
Extended time in the Word and prayer first started with bad jet lag and getting up at 3am but even though I sleep in a few more hours than that now, my time with the Lord in this unhurried season has been rich. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who listens, reminds me of truth found on every page of His Word and is present with me. My flesh wants to fill my days and time to stay busy so I won’t think of friends/family/the holiday season that I miss in this transition, but I am learning to embrace this time, to sit with Him in it and experience Christ’s nearness and peace as I learn a whole new normal. My language helper, Jara and I prayed that the Lord would strengthen my heart for the task ahead. I am seeing how this time of transition is proving to be just that.ENJOY THIS LITTLE VIDEO OF THE LAST TWO MONTHS :
I have been so grateful in this season for all the reasons listed above and so many more. AND I am looking forward/eager to the big move to the hot and humid life of the coastal town of Madang as I jump full-time into national culture + language learning in a little over a month. For those who are supporting this mission through finances, prayer and encouragement – I so wish you could see all that you are truly a part of. As you watch the video, know that you are a part of making each of these things happen. The body of Christ is so sweet.
Love each one of ya. rach