Larry and Caroline Folkers Just another weblog About
Larry & Caroline Folkers
Missionaries to Papua New Guinea
The Islands Region supply center in Papua New Guinea is where Larry & Caroline met. After several months of dating they returned to the states and married on August 21, 1999. In February of 2001, they returned to the field with their first born daughter Elizabeth. Enroute, they met up with their future partners. During that year all three families moved to New Ireland and built homes to start work amongst the Madak language group in Papua New Guinea.
Language and culture study of the Madak began in February of 2002. Larry completed stage one of four stages of language study before coming home for the birth of their second child Daniel. They returned to Papua New Guinea in April of 2003 and Larry began working toward stage two of language study.
Learning language for Larry was always slow and he began to feel a bit discouraged after taking stage two check twice and not making much noticeable progress. Mean while his partners were moving ahead quickly in acquiring the mother tongue of the Madak people.
Leaving again in May of 2004 to go to Australia for the birth of Kathryn, Larry was thinking that God might have some thing else in store for him to do. During their stay in Australia, the Field Chairman called Larry and asked if he would consider working with computers and helping out in other areas of ministry at the Island’s mission center. This opportunity seemed like an open door to step through and a chance to be more useful with something that was familiar for Larry.
In November 2004 Larry & Caroline left to go on furlough for one year. They returned to Papua New Guinea in October of 2005. Larry has been working with the computers and email on Center and taking care of the Center’s business. He also helps out with odd jobs that need to be done and with accounting details. His title is Business Manager/ Liaison. Caroline keeps very busy with raising their four children, teaching school a couple days a week, helping new missionaries learn the Tok Pigin trade language, and assisting those in the bush with their home schooling needs.
We praise God for the work that He has given us to do. He is a great and glorious God and we enjoy serving Him. Here is a great quote I recently read from Amy Carmichaels “Gold Cord.”
“When a soul sets out to find God it does not know whither it will come and by what path it will be led; but those who catch the vision are ready to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, regardless of what that following may involve for them. And it is as they follow, obedient to what they have seen, in this spirit of joyful adventure, that their path becomes clear before them, and thy are given the power to fulfill their high calling. They are those who have the courage to break through conventionalities, who care not at all what the world thinks of them, because they are entirely taken up with the tremendous realities of the soul and God.” Bishop Bardsley.
