Jon and Katie Ruse Serving In Papua New Guinea Basketball and Dorm Parenting
Katie & Rachel
On the other hand there are some things that are just plain fun like having a birthday party, playing in the rain, taking a group of teens tubing down the river, watching a movie, singing and dancing, cheering them on in sports, or just having a good talk. One of those fun things Katie enjoyed this term was playing basketball with our dorm girls. Let me explain! We had 4 girls who were on the high school team and their only official games are during 2 tournaments. So, in the weeks leading up to the tournaments they scrimmage the women (New Tribes moms, singles, etc.) for “practice”.
Women's Team
We are excited as we look towards next term. A few of our girls will be playing soccer and I(Jon) will be assistent coach for the guys high schoool basketball team! The men usually play basketball every Monday night so it has been great to develop relationships with some of these teen guys that I will be coaching. I am excited to see how God will use this avenue for me to be an example and impact some of the young teen guys here!
*Pray for Katie and I that we will balance our time & responsibilities well this next term as coaching will take extra time away from our family and the dorm!
Tags: New Tribes Mission, NTM
Christmas In Papua New Guinea
There are certain things in life that are completely different than you ever expected. This can be good and bad and is mostly both. I can’t explain all of the feelings we went through over this holiday season but one thing I know for sure. It was hard & different, but full of God’s grace.
After a “unexpectedley” lonely thanksgiving (dorm girls were gone because Katelyn had Mumps) we pulled out our box of Christmas decorations that we had shipped over here from Michigan. In the Dorm Storage here we found a Christmas tree, a few decorations, and a large blow-up Frosty-the-Snowman later nicknamed “Ricardo” don’t ask me why! So we started with the small decor’ around the house. By the weekend the dorm girls were back and we put up the tree, ran lights around the porch, kitchen, and dining room. Then I set up Frosty “Ricardo” and he was a hit around the neighborhood and became the dorm girls favorite man. They named Him and gave Him hugs everyday. First, strange experience: hooking up christmas lights through a transformer, and buying some 240Volt lights off another missionary. Second strange experience: decorating the porch outside without being cold or having numb fingers. Next came going through the Christmas gifts we had shipped over and wrapping! Third strange experience: not going shopping for Christmas presents, recieving Christmas gifts by mail, and wrapping some gifts from our parents for our kids!
“Dorm Christmas” was a blast. We had a party with snacks, gifts, and my mom’s famous “Egg Nog” made not so famous by me! This was a taste of home but felt strange doing an early Christmas with our adopted girls before they headed home to their own families for break. Then came time for our own very different Christmas. Strange: the weather wasn’t snowy and cold but rainy and 70 degrees! We “traveled” to Grandpa & Grandma Ruse’s house for Christmas eve by opening their presents under our tree while taking video and pictures. Then Christmas morning we had our somewhat normal traditions and opening of gifts as a family. Christmas afternoon we “hit the road again” to Papa & Grandma Jurgensen’s house by opening their gifts under our tree while skyping and talking on the phone with them and taking pictures! It was so hard to be away from our home and family, but we are so thankful for technology. To be able to see their faces, and talk to them and see things familiar even through the computer was a great comfort.
New Years eve we joined some other couples here for games, and then rode the motorcycle around campus at Midnight supossedly as loudly as possible! Strange New Tradition: however, my bike’s headlight went out right away so we went back to the house and went to bed. Instead of watching football games and enjoying the warmth of the large Ruse Family gathering on New Years Day, I checked ESPN online to see game scores, we played wii as a family, and we skyped with my parents. It was very cool to be able to walk around my parents house and see everyone hanging out, see the food, see my new baby nephew, find out my sister-in-law is pregnant, go to the basement and see all my nephew’s and niece’s playing together, and feel like we were almost really there. Strange: we are 13 hours ahead so many of these experiences with family were after we had already celebrated or the next morning!�
I don’t think I will ever forget this first Christmas away. It was hard for us, but God is good and brought joy to our families despite the miles between us all!
Tags: New Tribes Mission, NTM
Speaking in Student Chapel
Grades 7-12 Student Chapel
It seems like such a long time since I have been able to speak to a large group of teens. Believe it or not it has already been close to 3 and a half years since I was working at Rotbbury Community Church. Well, this Tuesday I was able to speak at the Student Chapel for grades 7-12. This was so much fun and God guided me in what to share, but I forgot how much time it takes to be well prepared to give a solid message. It did not help that I was sick the week before with Strep Throat and had little energy to give. Thankfully, I was feeling better by Moday and able to finish.
Speaking at Chapel
midst. Right after chapel, I had to leave (late) along with the other dorm dad and go to town for the “mail run” (every Tuesday). While in town, we drop off and pick up mail for everyone living here on center, then we go the open market for our dorm produce & fruit and to the stores for any needed groceries (if we are lucky) that we can’t find at the center store. After, we get back it’s a rush to get all the produce washed, lunch prepared, eat, clean up, and then it’s time for our “Dorm Meeting” (every Tuesday afternoon). It already looks like there are many potential students hoping to enter the dorms next year (one part of our meetings discussion). This means we may have to cram them into two dorms, do home placements, or find another set of dorm parents and open a third dorm. Granted there is still a lot of time before next July, and many changes will happen by then but this is definately something we would love you to pray about with us.
First Term in the Dorm
Ever wonder…What is it like to have a family of twelve? Fun, busy, loud, crazy, tons of food, not much sleep, games, family devotions, great conversations, piles of laundry, hours of homework, and great times! We know God perfectly picked the 6 teen girls that would best fit with our family and we have truly enjoyed getting to know each of them. Each is very unique– different needs, talents, personalities, etc. and we love each one. We are overwhelmed with how the girls have embraced our own kids. They love having older sisters who read them books, walk with them to school, sit by them at meals, and play with them. This is an answer to prayer! Along with the joys, there have been many adjustments as a family and trials along the way. However, the Lord has been faithful to meet all of our needs and give us the energy and grace needed each day. We praise Him for this and thank Him for your prayers on our behalf! We couldn’t do this on our own!
One of our highlights has been supporting the girls (4 of our 6 who played on the softball team) by going to games and tournaments. We also watched band performances, took pictures of them doing class projects, hosted sleepovers, helped with homework, played games or baked with them, scrubbed stains, cared for the sick, shared hugs, had deep conversations about the Lord and life, and enjoyed praying together. We love serving these girls and their families in this way! Each girl has returned to spend time with their families in a remote tribal locations for the 2 1/2 week school break. We are now resting, regrouping as a family, catching up on things, and looking forward to their return on October 10th.
The Depths of God Found in Difficulty
If we are all honest, there are times in our lives where we don’t understand what God is doing and all we can do is ask why? Why This? Why Now? Why Me? Aren’t I trying to be godly and aren’t I following your will and direction in my life, then why is this so hard?
“Oh, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable are his ways!” Romans 11:33
God has brought us across the world to serve Him as missionaries in Papua New Guinea. We have left our home, family, and friends behind to do what we know is His will for us. The transition was difficult but filled with God’s grace. Finally, we made it through language learning and were excited to begin the “Dorm Ministry”. We did not expect to spend our first term helping Ellaina struggle through schoolwork, making visits to the medical clinic, staying up in the night with Katelyn in pain (suspected appendicitis), Ben having breathing problems, two with conjunctivitis, a staff infection on Ellaina’s leg, removing a bead stuck in Chloe’s nose, and having Katie not physically able to help because of back problems.
In the movie Evan Almighty God says, “Remember that whatever I do, it is because I love you.” After a series of trials and difficulties Evan replies, “Can you love me a little less?”. We will never fully understand the wisdom and purposes of God. We don’t have the knowledge or foresight to even question His ways, but we may think sometimes: “God, love me a little less!”. Wouldn’t that be easier than trials?
Thankfully, God is not able to love us any less than His best even though it hurts sometimes. What would I be like today without His work in my life or without His loving hand allowing difficulties and at the same time carrying me through them when I am unable to stand on my own? Would I really know God without the difficulties, without having to place my Trust & Faith in Him when nothing makes sense at all?
Josh & Ellaina
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Heb. 11:1
God, help us all to walk by faith! Heb. 11:1
Please Pray with Me for my brother James, his wife Becky, and their 11 year old son Joshua. After a few intense days in the hospital they have just learned that He has Leukemia!
*God, please give the doctors wisdom!
*God, strengthen and guide James and Becky with the many difficult decisions.
*God comfort them when they see their son in pain and help them Trust You through the Trials!
Where God Has Brought Us
Now, two days into the dorm ministry we lo0k back and are amazed at all that God has done. Providing for our needs while going through missionary training and paying for our unsold home, selling our home, providing enough supporters for us to go to PNG. Then there was the mad rush to get our things on the container before it was too late. Christmas, birthdays, and goodbye parties, and long flight, and a new home on the other side of the world. God has brought us through sickness, helped us learn a new language, build relationships in the community and share our love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have prayed for and anticipated serving in this ministry for over 3 years and we are loving it. I am sure there will be bumps in the road and struggles but we have already really enjoyed getting to know each of the girls God has placed in our dorm and we can see why it is His best. We know that God has given us a special ministry here and we are so thankful. It has also been exciting to get to know each of the parents and hear about their work in planting churches and translating scripture so the gospel will continue to go forward throughout PNG.
Last night we had a “Special Dinner” with candles and no utinsels. Our time ended with a spaghetti noodle fight in the back yard. Everyone had a good laugh!
Preparing for Dday
It seems like since the day we landed we have been busy preparing for the Dorm Ministry in many different ways. Learning the culture and Language of PNG was a big and important part of that time. There have also been many various projects from sanding & refinishing chairs and a table, repairs, decorating, yardwork, making hamburgers, and errands for dorm supplies that have consumed our time over the past month. We have also had many dorm meetings, correspondence and meetings with parents, learning about finances and taxes to fill our time.
In the midst of all this we were able to go into the bush for a week, try to maintain our friendships with some of the nationals we have built relationships with, help with vacation bible school, celebrate a birthday, and get ready to recieve 6 wonderful teenage girls into our home & family. We hope you will enjoy a few pictures from the past 2 weeks.
An Unforgetable Bush Experience
Sunday Worship With The Simbari People
Well, our time visiting the tribe was definitely unforgettable! We flew in on a Wednesday only to have Katelyn and Chloe get the worst flu virus we’ve ever experienced. Katelyn threw up throughout the week, her last time was on the plane ride back. Chloe threw up 21 times in one night (we lost count after that). Both had diarrhea. We were very concerned with how lethargic they were becoming in a very remote location. We were so thankful Shari Ogg was a nurse with a lot of experience in “the bush”. Sunday they seemed the worse, but by that night they finally kept some liquids down. Then Ben got a 104 degree temperature on Sunday and an earache. We were supposed to come back on Friday (10 days total). However, due to weather (90% rain, clouds, and fog throughout the week) and sickness, NTM Aviation and the Oggs thought it would be good to get out as soon as possible. The Lord directly answered prayer and opened up the sky on Wednesday morning when we hoped to fly out! That day Katie and Ellaina struggled with fevers and were thankful to be home. Had we stayed through Friday, the weather would not have permitted us to get out until the following Monday! Praise the Lord, God has never failed to take care of us!
Katelyn, The Airplane, The Church Building
While it sounds like a miserable adventure, there were some awesome highlights as well! Shari watched our sick kids for us while we went to church on Sunday. What a blessing to see what God has done in the lives of the believers in Simbari. You can see the light and joy in their eyes. They’ve written their own worship songs. God has raised up godly men who now lead the service with worship, prayer, and teaching. I had to fight tears when I thought of where these people were 10 years ago. Through the Oggs and their teammate they’ve learned to read God’s Word in their heart language which is one of the most difficult to learn/speak in PNG. The missionary team is now translating parts of Romans, Corinthians, & Revelation!
We are so thankful to support this ministry by having the Ogg’s daughter, Rachel, in our dorm! We were able to spend time playing board games, sharing meals, and singing with the family. We really enjoyed our time with them and know it was very valuable before we care for their daughter.
Grass Strip & View
Lastly, we were reminded in many ways what an awesome creator we worship! The view while flying over (and around) the mountains in central PNG was amazing!!! In the small airplane we had a close view of waterfalls, rivers and gorges, small villages, and mountains layered with mist and clouds. Top that off with landing and taking off on a grass runway on a mountain ridge and all you can say is “breathtaking”!
Easter Weekend In The Dorm
- Dinner in The Dorm
We were given the opportunity to “dorm sit” over Easter weekend. Our whole family moved into a dorm for four nights while the current dorm parents went on a much needed family vacation. We really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know these youth! Due to various situations this year, the dorm was down to 3 girls and 3 guys from an original 10. However, their 6 plus our 4 made 10 kids for the weekend!
Easter Egg Hunt
Special activities we enjoyed:
- Thursday night we hung out late playing card games and getting to know them.
- Friday night pizza and the movie, “Tangled”.
- Saturday evening “get-to-know-you” games.
- Sunday after church we enjoyed a big Easter dinner.
- Ellaina and Katie hid Easter Eggs for the “big kids” who had a blast looking for them!
- Then the teens hid the eggs for our kids. I’m not sure who had more fun!
- Sunday evening we enjoyed doing worship and dorm devotions.
- We also ate a lot of cake, ice cream, and chocolate chip cookies!
- Monday morning we went with half the teens on a hike up a nearby little mountain with our language helper. This was a good opportunity for them to get out of the fence and see the community around the center. The scenery was beautiful!
- We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the top of a grassy hillside at one of the nationals’ house and a swim in the large river after we crossed it on the way back!
Hiking
We were extremely tired by Tuesday when we had to start back into our 7th week of language learning! However, our whole family really enjoyed getting to know these teenagers and spending time with them. Seeing the potential for lifelong relationships and the need to challenge them spiritually and prepare them for life after high school gave us a renewed passion for this ministry. We were encouraged and grew more excited as we look forward to dorm parenting full time when school starts again in July. Even though they are Missionary Kids (MK’s), they are just like teenagers you would find at your church and what an opportunity to disciple as you live along side them!
Praise the Lord with us for:
- Recovered sleep and health!
- Our container arriving this week!!!
- Language learning going well.
- Relationships being built with nationals, fellow missionaries, and MK’s.
Prayer Requests:
- To grow in our ability to communicate in Pidgin.
- Our family may spend 2 weeks in a tribe in June. Parents of a future dorm kid work in this tribe. Pray we will be able to build a good relationship with them.
- Tim and Kerri Shepherd (Her back has kept her down for the past 2 months. They are needed for the other dorm in July! Pray the Lord strengthens and heals her back and directs them for the future. We’d love to work with them, Lord willing!)
- Wisdom as we continue with dorm orientation.
- For the Lord to place the individuals HE would like in our dorm next year.
- Pray we will have intimate time with the Lord and that He will make us into the parents and people He wants us to be.
- Time for Jon and I as it is hard to “get out” together in this kind of setting.
THANK YOU all for your prayers, encouragement, and support! We truly saw God’s hand on our weekend! YOU are a vital part of this ministry and we praise God for you!!
Adventures In Langauge Learning!
Passim Lo Banana
Drying Coffee
Last week Katie, Ben, and I crossed the river by Gumi (intertube) after lunch and helped out in our language helpers garden.
Katie & Ben on Gumi
Brukim Giraun
We have really enjoyed getting to know our language helper Aute and his wife, Georgina. We are excited to be able to learn the language to the point of really being able to talk with them about life. They have been married 10 years (like us), but have been unable to have children. While working with Georgina in her garden, she shared with Katie their struggle with that. Aute’s mom pressured him to get another wife (making 2 wives which is very common), but much to Georgina’s relief he did not want to. They would talk and talk about wanting kids when Georgina decided to talk to God about her desire. Now she says that, “God knows everything. We do not. I do not need to keep talking about wanting a baby, I have already asked God.” Katie tried to explain (as best she could) that she could trust God and that He hears her. She seemed to understand and agree.
