Back to Papua New Guinea

It is with great joy that we can report Neil's scheduled return to Papua New Guinea (PNG) on October 23. Well, he begins the journey on the 23rd but more likely will get to the Mesem closer to the 28th. The flights alone total 24 hours in the air, and once he arrives he has to get from the capital, to Morobe Province, and from there he'll need to purchase food and supplies to bring with him into the rainforest. Those supplies are not just our personal staples, but basic first aid items that are needed by so many of our Mesem friends; malaria medication; tools to repair those things on which the harsh environment has taken its toll. One of the many things he will carry with him is the Gospel of John, completed just prior to our furlough last year as well as four other epistles for the people to read for the first time. It is hard to explain the joy we feel that the Mesem can resume reading the scriptures, studying each book they receive for the first time, asking questions and discussing these things with Neil. It's an answer to prayer...the fervent prayer of the many friends and churches who have stood so faithfully with us for two decades and those who have joined us with such commitment in recent months.

While Neil is gone, I will continue to work on Acts, continue the nursing home chaplaincy, Alpha, and the weekend preaching schedule. As I know that Tony never reads this blog I will boast as his mom that he will continue to concentrate on school, basketball (he just took home his first MVP) and accompany me as I speak in churches in Southern New England. I am immensly proud of him. He has endured a great deal in the last two years and yet from the time of Neil's accident onward he has continued to demonstrate a quiet strength as he takes on the increased responsibilty that comes with becoming a young man.

On a personal note: over the years we've heard coworkers share some of the difficulties communicating their struggles to those at home. We realize that there are good reasons for this: time, distance, living cross culturally for extended periods and other factors. However, what I want to say here for all the world to know is that we have been blessed with the most supportive and loving group of friends and churches who have cheered us on through every obstacle that could possibly arise. Our “support base” (or better stated “the Body of Christ from a variety of church traditions) has blessed us, prayed for us, and stood fast and believed with us when it seemed that all of life was an uphill battle. Not only were you the hands of Jesus to us, we find that our best “cheerleaders” have been the very ones the Lord has used to help us keep going when we thought we didn't have another step within us. On behalf of my family and the Mesem people I want to thank our friends from a variety of church backgrounds who together with us rejoice that there is “one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, one God and Father of all”. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. And He shall surely accomplish His will.