Nineteen hours of wading in the water and waiting for a rescue! "When the helicopter was flying close enough to see us we were yelling and waving our hands only to see the chopper continue on past. Then it turned and we knew that we had been found. We're found, we're found... they have found us! As we were spotted we felt so excited. The things we felt right then were extreme happiness that brought on laughter and tears." These words came from a couple that was rescued from the Australian waters this last week. We were able to see this on the news while in town this past week.
Did you know that in the Wusuraambya language there is no single word for "lost"? It's because people don't get lost - the mountains are so easy to read for the people and they never go beyond where they would be familiar so how can they get lost? If they're not lost then how can they be found?
Over the last few months, starting in January till this last week in May the Wusuraambya people have gone through the Chronological Teaching of Genesis to the life of Christ. Many people who were faithful in completing these lessons went from thinking that they were good before God... to the place of feeling totally distant and ashamed before God... and then again coming to the place of being close to God through the blood of their Savior Jesus Christ. Last week I recorded the new believers in Christ as they shared their thoughts about their new faith. I saw an extreme excitement that enveloped the believers. Many of them shared that as they listened to the teaching they felt helpless but when they saw Christ's blood pour out they realized He died for them. When they made the connection many shared that they felt goose bumps! Thirteen people testified clearly that Jesus came and died in their place. They each said,"I know it's true, I know it's true. He died for me." I sat there that day thinking,"These souls have been found! They didn't know they were lost but God found them and has placed them back into his family. They have been found! They are found!!!" I heard two boys (approx. 10-12yrs) clearly proclaim the truth of their salvation. No one could have said it better. The Spirit of God resides in them. If only you could have been there to see them share with confidence. Are you feeling the goose bumps yet? Now by saying all that we have something else we need to share with you. As you see exciting things taking place in the Wusuraambya work there are other needs that have been brought to our attention.
We have been asked by NTM leadership to move to a different position located at our PNG highlands HQ. It is outside of Goroka. We would be taking on a position of leadership which includes running the orientation program , being involved in member care, having a part in the leadership meetings where decisions are made, etc. We have felt God working in our hearts and preparing us for this. We were starting to wonder how long we should keep trying with the language but we were willing to hang in there another few years. We're not ble to help enough with translation of scripture because of the lack of good understanding of the grammatical features of our complicated language. The biggest need right now is a translator and the Gouds are working in that capacity. So when we were asked to pray about changing ministries, we were surprised at the timing being so soon but weren't shocked at the suggestion! We are concerned about how this will affect our coworkers – the Gouds, Jordan's and the believers in Wusuraambya and ask that you pray with us for them. We hope to visit the bush/tribe to encourage the believers and our coworkers from time to time. School starts July 24 so we're hoping to be basically moved out of the village by then. We’re excited about the new ministry we’ll be involved in although there is some trepidation as to how we’ll fit into it.
We will be very sad to leave this work and the dear people here in Wusuraambya. We moved into Wusuraambya 10 years ago and we love the people. We have seen God at work in our hearts molding and shaping us and preparing us for any ministry He would have for us. We have seen God use us to help the Wusuraambya believers grow deeper in their walk with the Savior. We have enjoyed the fact that we were able to be a part of a tribal ministry. This new position that has been placed before us will not only help one tribal group but many as we get involved with all the other Highlands tribal works.
Please be praying with us as we move out of the tribe. There are a lot of cultural obligations and expectations which makes this move complicated…we will need wisdom and patience. We as a family will also be feeling many different emotions as we move out.
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