Next Steps

Happy New Year! Dear friends, I think all of us are happy to see 2020 off into the sunset. Of course, we are not guaranteed that 2021 will be any easier. But we do have a glorious future ahead. Titus 2:13 reminds us that we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of theContinue reading January 2021

Big Changes Ahead Dear friends, Hello again from Texas! We pray you all are resting in the Lord in uncertain days. Recently, I have been encouraged by the Providence of God, that is, his sovereignty over life’s events whether large or small. It is a tremendous anchor for the soul to know that our MightyContinue reading 4th quarter 2020

Embracing the Crazy Dear friends, That’s the best way I know how to sum up the past three months since we arrived back in the USA in April. Although it’s a daily challenge for us (as I am sure it is for all of you) to embrace with joy what the Lord puts before usContinue reading Summer 2020

Dear friends, Hi again! Just wanted to give a quick follow up to our last prayer letter and let you all know that we were able to make the repatriation flight back to the USA! On April 9, we arrived in San Francisco via Honolulu. On April 10, we flew into Houston. Currently we areContinue reading Quick Update April 2020

This is a very brief update for reasons that will become clear as you read on. The events of the past few weeks have left very few places untouched throughout the world including Papua New Guinea. We’ve been following closely the unfolding events in North America and Europe including toilet paper shortages and “shelter atContinue reading April 2020

Celebrating God’s Faithfulness in 2019 Dear friends, Thank you for your prayers for us in this eventful year. There have been many joys and several challenges in this past year of life and ministry. We appreciate your faithfulness in prayer, encouragement, and giving that allow us to continue in ministry.

On the cusp of some exciting things… Thankfulness Dear friends, ‘Tis the season to be thankful! It is a wonderful tradition to have a time of year where we pause to be particularly Thankful to God for his abundant blessings and care. As I read God’s Word, I see over and over that Thankfulness isContinue reading November 2019

Gaining and Losing Katies Dear friends, The theme of this season for the Burleson family has been “Big Life Changes,” and that continues to be the case this summer as well. First, on May 23, Katie graduated from Numonohi Christian Academy in a beautiful, God-honoring ceremony. We are so proud of all that God hasContinue reading Quarterly update – July 2019

Love is in the air! Dear friends, Since we last wrote you right around Christmas, much has happened. We are excited to share some big news with you both on the home front and the ministry front as well.

Dear friends, As we pause to look back over 2018, we remember a year of difficult trial and joyful celebration. We see God’s faithfulness in my dad’s illness and passing, and God’s faithfulness in Ben and DakotaKate’s marriage just two days ago. God’s faithfulness yesterday gives us confidence and courage as we step into 2019Continue reading January 2019

Dear team members, It has been way too long since we’ve sent out an update. Much has happened over the past few months, as most of you know. Thanks for your faithful support for us, even though we have not been the best communicators.

Dear Prayer Warriors, This is a different kind of update. We are making a plea to you that has been on our hearts for some time, and it provides a new opportunity for you to be a vital part of reaching the unreached in Papua New Guinea in an even deeper way.

Wrapping Up

As we wrote back in August (has it been that long?) we are heading back to Texas in a couple of weeks for a six month home assignment. We are grateful for God’s provision already to us for some physical needs. We are thankful to Grace Bible Church in College Station for the provision of a house to live in during this time. Just by God’s grace, the house is just a couple of streets over from where our 3 sons are already living as they attend Texas A&M. We look forward to spending some special time with them in the coming months.

Dear friends,

We had a great summer in the coastal town of Madang, casting a missions vision to 19 college-aged students in our six-week Interface program. I was able to teach, and Becky and the girls provided kitchen help for the program. The students attended classes on tribal missions, learned some of the local language, visited established national churches and remote bush locations, and heard the testimonies of many, many missionaries who work in both tribal and support ministries.

Dear Friends,

We have a lot of news to share with you since our last update. Lots of things happening and some exciting new opportunities coming up in the next few months. Thanks for taking time to read and pray for these things as the Lord lays them on your heart. But first…

Why in the World Are We Here?

Sometimes, we ask ourselves that question. I think I ask it more these past few years, as we’ve found our family scattered across the continents. What are we doing here?

Dear friends,

Less than a week ago our feet finally touched down again in Papua New Guinea, after a whirlwind of a summer. We are down to just four of us in PNG now, as all three boys are now in College Station studying at Texas A&M. All in all it was a great, full summer, and we are happy to be able to relate some of the high points to you.

Dear friends,

Richard sat in my office and poured out his heart to me, “I pastor a small church in Wabag (a town a few hours’ drive from here). I have a tremendous burden for the youth. They have so many problems, drugs, alcohol, fighting. I want to help them, but I do not feel ready. I want to study theology, to really know the truth of God’s Word! Can you help me?” The pleading look in his eyes showed the sincere desire of his heart.

Summer Plans

Hello again from Papua New Guinea! We are so grateful to all of you for your prayers and support for us here this past year. As we are just a few weeks away from finishing up the 2015-16 school year here, we are excited to share that we are making a brief trip home to Texas this summer, primarily to help Michael settle in to college (see below), but we also look forward to seeing parents, friends, and churches as well.

Hi again, Friends!

School is underway here at Lapilo. Classes at Numonohi Christian Academy started on July 29 so we’ve already had a week and a half of school. Michael (12th), Katie (9th), and Cara (8th) enjoy seeing their friends each day and learning from an outstanding group of teachers. For some reason, they have us teaching along with them. Becky is teaching two sections of Spanish 1 and is enjoying very much her 21 students. Although he is not really working in the school anymore, Neil is still able to teach Grade 12 Bible which he is really happy to be able to do.

We just received the update below about the evangelistic teaching currently going out to the Tangguat people. We were so touched by this story. Please take a few minutes to let God bless your heart with what HE is doing here. This village is in the midst of evangelistic teaching that is primarily being done by Inapang (a neighboring people) Bible teachers, with expat missionaries just partnering as facilitators.

Prayer and Praise Summary from the Burlesons (details below):

• Praise that Becky’s mom was able to move back into her home in Dallas last month!
• Praise that the Lord provided funds so that we could purchase our tickets!
• Pray for safe travels as we return to PNG in June. Pray for the kids during this transition.
• Pray for Neil’s transition into a new ministry.
• Pray for laborers to reach the lost in PNG. Pray especially for support personnel (teachers, pilots, mechanics, accountants, etc.

Merry Christmas to all of you from South Texas! We are still alive here, and apologize for not writing for a few months. We did want to take this time during the holidays to take a minute or two and update you on our current status and our plans to return to Papua New Guinea next summer.