Sien and I continue to enjoy the adventure of serving our Lord and of experiencing life – not too comfortable, not too predictable, not too easy. You might remember that the two of us are now based in the coastal town of Wewak, Papua New Guinea. It has been almost 2 ½ years since we once lived full-time in a tribal village nestled on the banks of the upper Sepik river. Although our general goal of tribal church planting and discipleship amongst least reached people groups has not changed, what is different now is that a majority of our current co-workers sport white faces instead of the brown faces of our tribal friends. Sien and I have been tasked with ministries relating to the physical and spiritual leadership of our missionary members in the Western Area of NTM-PNG. This includes the administration and business oversight for the Wewak Centre and remote church plants.
Sien and I find ourselves needy and desirous of your prayers:
• That we would be wise, godly and gracious in our leadership roles
• That Sien would remember enough of the intricacies of the Abau lower dialect to properly prepare for her long awaited, but long postponed Scripture translation check. Pray that Sien, our consultants, and the three tribal men being flown out to Wewak next week for the consultant check would soon successfully conclude this portion of the translation project.
• That Frank and Mirjam Tertel and their Sinow helpers would continue to move forward towards the completion of the New Testament translation; that the church leaders would continue to faithfully disciple and be willing to be discipled.
• That the new task of coordinating and incorporating local missionary flights into the regular MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) schedule over the coming year (while our NTM pilot is on furlough) would be successful and God-honoring.
• That our relationships with our center’s national employees would continue to grow in trust and mutual respect.
• That we would continue to experience good health in body and in soul.
• That Sien and I would know the mind of the Lord for us as we are being asked to consider some ministry changing decisions.
• That our friends, parents, children and grandchildren would grow in their daily awareness of the Lord’s presence in their lives and would daily choose to walk with God.
Thank you for ‘standing in the gap’ for us. Thank you for your demonstrated interest in our lives and ministry. Thank you for being willing to invest in eternity. Then again, what a privilege that has been granted to every child of God– serving the King of kings, learning to obey in His strength and in His power. In fact, if we only remember, we have His promise ringing in our ears:
“He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:8-9
Your friends,
Kelly and Sien
