"O yes Jesen," Malachi began his letter to missionary Jason Swanson, using the Melanesian pidgin spelling of his name.
"The big issue on my heart that is bothering me is like this. If you and Tom leave us, then who will come and finish building this house which you guys have only planted the posts of?"
Jason, his wife Shannon, and their three children had to leave their ministry among the Siawi people of Papua New Guinea for medical reasons. Doctors in the USA have determined that Shannon's adrenal gland is not functioning properly.
Their co-workers, Tom and Danielle Brendle, were already on home assignment.
"These posts are not standing up strong," Malachi continued, "because they don't have nails and anything to strengthen them. When the winds and rain come it will not be able to stand up strong."
It has only been nine months since Jason and Tom presented the Gospel. Malachi and several Siawis came to Christ.
"How will I be able to withstand the arrows of Satan?" Malachi continued. "This is the thinking I have about my life and how I will manage while you guys are gone.
"When you look at me on the outside, I look alright, but on the inside I'm very worried and sad. Don't you guys lie to me and say you'll come back. You must come back! We must finish learning all of God's Word!"
Jason and Tom were just beginning to teach the new believers key truths about their standing before God, along with lessons on prayer, worship, and their reliance upon the Holy Spirit.
"Please," Malachi's letter pleaded, "by God's name you guys must break the arrows of Satan and come back."
Jason and Shannon were overwhelmed as many other Siawis echoed Malachi's concern. "With incentive like that we can't wait to get back," Jason wrote.
Upon leaving, the missionaries told the people that God would nurture them, and that God alone would establish His church among them. They also assured the Siawis that God alone, through the aid of doctors, would restore Shannon's health, and that He alone would return them to their Papua New Guinea home.
Pray for Shannon's full recovery, and pray that God will nurture the young Siawi believers until the Brendles and Swansons return.
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