Katie VanBuskirk Just another weblog Fall 2008 in the Sepik
It was hard to notice summer turning into fall ~ my first clue was the pumpkins on the Yahoo home page. My second clue was the rain beginning to blow into my bedroom and not my kitchen –opposite sides of the house. The temperatures certainly didn’t change, and there was no back-to-school hype at Target to warn me. But season change has definitely come, and my trip home isn’t far off!
YES, I am headed home in just about 5 weeks! I will be in Washington from Christmas until April, with a couple trips and visits thrown in the middle. I am quite excited to travel home, and to see everyone again! I must admit I am also excited to see things like paved roads, clean stores, and real dairy products. There is one small concern you might consider praying about: The airstrip I have to leave the Sepik region from is reduced to about 800 meters right now due to some “construction”, and Air Niugini has begun using way smaller planes ~ therefore only taking half of the people who have paid for seats. Please pick one thing to ask the Lord for: the airstrip being opened back up, or that I’m among the half who gets on the flight to the capital that day!
In all the excitement, there is also an urgency! I have a lot to get done before I leave. There are numerous projects in the Tribal Resource inbox that I need to have done for the tribal churches ~ this is their last chance to order materials until next May when I return. Hence, all the orders 
I also need to hand off the Guesthouse ministry to someone in the next couple weeks, so that they have time to get comfortable with it before it’s all on them. It’s not hard, just a lot of little, important details to remember. There is obviously also a bit of organizing and thinking ahead and packing to do in my house that I will soon have to face
I’d appreciate prayer too, for opportunities to share with people and churches when I’m home –there are MANY exciting things going on here in Papua New Guinea as churches are being established, translations are moving forward, and tribal believers are growing and exercising their new faith!
PRAYER
- The things mentioned throughout this update in bold
- SO happy to report a room at the Easley Inn while I’m home –thank you Uncle Willie & Aunt Gretchen!!
- I’m also hoping to be able to use a vehicle for those few months… if anyone has one sitting around
- My monthly support has been hovering around 50% with the faithful few –it’d be a great help to see more giving less
- We are hosting a Sepik Ladies’ Retreat next weekend –us center girls would like to give the bush girls a refreshing and encouraging weekend of rest!
- Do keep these Sepik tribal churches (and the teams who are discipling) in prayer: Inanbimali, Bagwido, Abau, Siawi, Nakui, Inaru, Malaumanda, Sorimi, Hewa
Many THANKS for your prayers, involvement & support!!!
