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We are so thankful for all of our friends and supporters.  Every picture, each investment in peoples souls, you have been a part of this ministry.  Thank You!

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.

  “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!

Girls Shoes for 4 Years!

 Twelve pens have gone missing (We always seemed to misplace pens, markers, or packing tape.)

Eleven columns filled on spreadsheets (11 columns x 789 items =8,679 possible entries)

Ten thousand pounds of lifting (We had to weigh our supplies for shipping.  It was 2520lbs and I moved everything at least 4 times.)

Nine days by truck to California (The truck should arrive in California Jan. 17 where it will be loaded into a container to travel by ship to PNG.)

Eight days of babysitters (A friend and both grandparents took turns caring for the kids.)

Seven hundred and eighty-nine items (Each item needed a quantity, description, category, value, etc.)

Six-ty six inventoried boxes (Mostly large storage tubs, some boxes, and individual items like the kids bikes & matresses)

Five pounds gained from Chocolate (We survived on leftover New Years buckeyes, chocolate chips, caffinated tea & Mountain Dew.)

Four crazy kids (They were actually really good but always full of energy and needs to be met. We’re so thankful for the help with them!)

At the Loading Dock

Three a.m. bedtime (The night we finished the spreadsheet was the latest but we were rising earlier and going to bed much later than normal all last week.)

Two exhausted missionaries (We crashed Friday after finishing the paperwork, ran errands, went to a friends basketball game, came home and went to sleep! Saturday –  back to work!) 

And One great God who carried us through! “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen!”  Ephesians 3:20&21

THANK YOU for praying for us as we took one step closer to PNG last week.  It’s exciting, but reality is also setting in! 

PLEASE PRAY ALONG WITH US ABOUT:

• BIG ONE: Choosing our departure date!  (We would like to make the deadline of February 28 for dorm parenting but don’t want to step ahead of God or go underfunded!)
• 19% support left to raise (about $1000 in monthly support)
• Wisdom in decisions about how to handle finances overseas, switching to New tribes Insurance, and many little details!
• Keeping our kids on schedule with the PNG Missionary school they will attend.
• Sharing memorable moments with family and friends as we prepare for the soon coming goodbyes!

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 12:9

How could Paul rejoice in his sufferings and find contentment in any situation?   His focus was not on His circumstances but on His Savior and on the Goodness of God.  As I began to look around and see the beautiful fall colors (as best I could), enjoy the loving church family and friends God’s given us, and the goodness of God I no longer noticed the discomfort in my eyes.  Even though I am thankful the eye infection is gone again and would not wish it to come back.  I am more thankful for how I felt God’s love through many people while it hurt and how I was able to let go of the (this isn’t fair attitude) and find joy in Christ despite the circumstances.   I hope you can relate to this and find encouragement to keep your eyes on Him instead of what you are going through!

Answered Prayers & Requests:

1. We’ve gained 3 more supporters this week and are now 60% Supported!  (Praise God)
2. While in Rothbury we had a great time with our host family, enjoyed participating in a Missions Conference, spent time with friends, and enjoyed activities.
3. My eyes are feeling good now after using some special drops.  Pray the infection won’t come back again
4. Pray for wisdom in scheduling our limited time available (so many people and some churches we would like to spend time with before leaving in January)
5. Pray for efficiency with the many decisions to make, communications and relationships to maintain, things to organize and pack or junk, homeschooling, etc.
6. Pray that the Lord would lead more churches & individuals to support us by the end of November so we can move forward with shipping and buying tickets.

*Click on the “Photos” tab above to see more recent pictures from our travels!

 I went on a long walk this morning enjoying the crisp cool fall air while praying and evaluating my walk with the lord. 

Opened My Big Mouth Again!

I was reminded how easily we are bent towards seeking to please ourselves.  Whether it’s saving the best donut for ourselves and giving the kids the others (guilty), or racing past an old lady in the grocery isle to get to the smallest checkout line, or not being honest with others to protect your pride or image.  We are all self-seeking sinners in need of the Father’s love & grace.

Katie and I are reading a book called “The Prodigal God”.  Our hearts have been challenged as we recognize that both sons in Luke 15:1-32 had a problem with pride and selfishness.  The one son is pursuing all of His sinful desires while the other son is seeking to do all the right things.  Both sons are motivated by a passion to get what they want rather than to enjoy the Father’s love.  Are we living the Christian life to get what we want (eternal life/ blessings) or to enjoy the Father’s love.  Jesus came so that we could have “life abundantly” (to the fullest) and this is only found in enjoying Him, honoring Him, praising Him, and living for Him.

Enjoy A Laugh On Ellaina!

Lamentations 3:22-26

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.  The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;  it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.