The Accapella Arrival and the PIlgrim's Progress

We returned from our first field term in 1992 and Neil wanted to arrive secretly and spend the entire night going from house to house soaping the cars of our friends with the words "Their Baaackkk!". I still can't remember if that's from a movie or an advertisement that was touting insecticide but either way, it would have been great fun.

Our return that furlough was probably the most amazing welcome I can ever recall. There were over sixty friends at the airport and after we greeted everyone, someone started singing accapella till many joined in the refrain from Amazing Grace:

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come
Tis grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace will lead me home".

Neil is "home" in Papua New Guinea tonight and heading to the village tomorrow. He got to Ukarumpa and visited friends, picked up the Gospel of John, 1, 2, 3 John and Jude and purchased supplies. The computer adaptor was left behind in the rush so Johanna had a new one made and he was able to send this photo from the Smith's computer before he headed out. Here he is with our friend Susie and her husband Leo, who buried their oldest daughter recently. Susie worked in our house enabling me to work on translation and we became quite close friends and daily prayer partners. Their faith is amazing.

Before Neil left, we had the blessing of attending Minister's Institute in Falmouth for three days. We had never attended before and it was refreshing to our souls. I sat there at one point and felt really joyful. It's been a long time since I have felt joyful. I have had moments when I could see the light on the horizon, but not a time when I had a clear sense of vision for what lies ahead or even a renewed sense of energy. There was a tremendous focus on waiting on God and prayer and I needed that message to remind "my help comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

So now we enter the time of silence when it is not possible to get messages in or out. I have a number of meetings over the next few days but Tony has been super helpful and we are reading through Mark together. Those who know the history of the work, know that every time we have tried to bring scripture to people, something extraordinary has happened to challenge or delay the delivery of the scripture. We cannot give up now with the New Testament so close to completion and the people so eager for the Word. So I look back at and remind myself that God who oversaw the break-ins, assaults, accident and robbery and sees all that transpired before and after, is the same Lord who has promised to "see us home".

I love Pslam 84 where we are told "Blessed are those who strength is the Lord, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage". My own strength is long expended but His is not. OK pilgrims...let's go.

October and November and What God Makes New

Tommorow Neil leaves for Papua. In recent years, the months of October and November have been full of intense emotions for our family: the burning of the village, waking with paralysis in Bangkok, terminal diagnosis of Rosaria, the horrific accident that nearly has scarred our family, a painful anniverary last year and now Neil returns to a place that has been the center of our lives, and your prayers for years. He arrives on the anniversary of at least three pivotal events in our lives. The last week of October and the first week of November have been so full, I feel that were I to write all the events down, it would seem so unlikely that as one friend said, "It sounds like a Frank Peretti novel".

We just returned from "Minister's Institute". It is three day and two night retreat for Southern New England Ministers and it was a time of prayer and worship unlike anything I have experienced in recent years. We stayed in an attitude of prayer for nearly three hours. There was again the reminder of the scripture, "I will restore the years the locusts have eaten".

No one doubts that past Octobers and Novembers have been marked by tragedy, setbacks, assaults, and more. But God has given us a promise. Believing that promise he returns. This time tommorow, Tony and I will be like all of you, holding the ropes for Neil, as he goes down to mine for "gold".

All of you have stood so faithfuly with us and with expectation in prayer for the Mesem people. There is a Bible correspondence program. Mesem people have professed that Jesus is the only way. There are schools for teaching not only reading, but the Word of God. This has happened only because you have stood on the promise of God to answer prayer. His Character is such that He has done just that.

Tommorow we say good-bye to Neil and we have little ability to stay in contact. (We have no email and we do not know who has our satellie phone making it unlikely Neil will be able to purchase a SIM card). By prayer, we are as close to Neil and our Lord, just as you have stood so closely by us. We are trusting that the Lord will make this October and November different than any other: we are trusting He will restore the years/months, that have been so difficult for us in the past.

"Faithful is He who has called us, Who also will do it".
Pace, Kath

Rally the Troops to Pray

With Neil's departure for PNG at hand, I would like to ask you to please commit this trip to daily prayer. It's not the "trip" that is the issue but the battle that takes place whenever we are ready to deliver more scripture. Those of you who have been part of this work for years, know full well the amazing events that have occurred whenever we have been engaged in delivering scripture or seeing people come to acknowledge the Lord. Your prayers have made the difference.

While in PNG Neil will be dealing with several challenging issues ranging from technical issues (where are the Neos and are they functioning?); to deeply spiritual issues (divisions among the people all based on false understandings of Christianity); to other more personal issues that will impact our future work and how we will carry it out upon our return. We are asking you to pray like never before that God speaks clearly and gives us assurance and peace about the direction we need to take to complete the New Testament so the Mesem need wait no longer.

On a personal note: he will be in PNG on the annivesary of accident that nearly claimed his life. The severity of that injury and the months of physical recovery and the toll of emotional stress have only been endured by the grace of God and helped by your prayers. You have stood with us for years. We ask that as we continue down the "home stretch" that you ask others to join us in prayer as well. Please refer them to the website, or ask them to write us personally for details if that helps them pray with more confidence.

We want to see Jesus Name made great among the Mesem.

If it's Sunday it's church, if it's Tuesday it's the nursing home, if it's Wednesday then..

OK, I'll be honest, sometimes I forget where we are from one week to the next. This is not because I don't enjoy travelling and being congregations all over New England but because with so little time remaining till Neil departs the calender is colour coded with colours on top of other colours so I can hardly read what I've penciled in on any given day. (To those of you who have seen my writing, you might argue that the colours have nothing to do with it). Yet, I do see we are committed for 14 of the 16 days till her departs. If it gets to be a bit of blur, then it's a good blur. It's the blur of churches that care, of retreats to prepare for what lies ahead, and meetings to share the easy yoke and light burden of sharing with Jesus in seeing His Name made great among the Mesem people.

So if I stumble your way, looking like a deer caught in the headlights, know I've been travelling a bit but that I'm so thankful for your care for us, and for the Mesem. (And if you feel so inclined, a bit of Gingko for the memory would help). Day by day we make progress translating, more commit to pray and we see that the Lord has opened new avenues of ministry.

Thanks for hanging in with us. Our God is faithful