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Daily Scripture
 
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

...PNG AT LAST!

January 20, 2008

Last week the Carmicals stepped off a plane and into a new life in Papua New Guinea. “It’s hard to believe that we’re finally here.” Tim said. “There have been times when we never thought we would make it this far.”

A trip to Papua New Guinea from the States covers thousands of miles, but for the Carmicals, this trip has taken 10 years.

Joan says, “NTM missionaries Dave and Carolyn Meyers, who are from our home church, took the time to get to know us individually. They shared with us God’s heart for tribal people, and the need for more workers on the field. They changed our perceptions of missionary service, and helped us see how we could help.”

That was 10 years ago.

So why has it taken so long for them to get to Papua New Guinea? Tim is quick to point out that they were neither late nor early, but arrived right on time. But in reality, the work of tribal missions is a challenging and complicated task, requiring years of specialized training.

"We've had 4 years of Bible college, and a year of cross-cultural communications. While some people like to joke that it took us 7 years to complete 5 years of school", Tim said "We should point out that we moved house 6 times, lived in 3 States, had another child, moved overseas for a year, and graduated debt-free. It then took us over 2 years to build enough support to feel comfortable enough to leave for New Guinea, but now we are here!"

Tim and Joan will be busy in national language/culture study and PNG Orientation before eventually heading out to a remote village location to begin work as church planters. "We're so glad to be here! We really do count it a priviledge to be here, doing what we're doing. Sure, we miss people, but we wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

So for this young family, one chapter of their life has come to a close, with a new one only just beginning. And while they are no longer the people they were at the start of their journey, but there remains much to be learned, seen and experienced. They will undoubtedly be stretched, tried, and grown through as yet unknown ordeals. But they are able to rest comfortably with the knowledge that the One who has seen them through previous struggles will carry them through these new ones.