Lori Morley Your Link to the Simbari People 
The Simbari Church
The Simbari believers are doing well in spite of some sadness. Two of the Simbari believers died recently. Both of them came as a surprise to me because I didn’t know that they were very sick. One was an older woman and the other was a woman probably in her 40’s with one young daughter. I am sad for their grieving families, many of whom are not believers, but I rejoice when I think of the growing contingent of Simbari believers up in heaven. There are people that I am eager to see when I go to heaven. I think of Mom and Grandma Morley and other friends and family but the Simbari believers will also be at the top of my list. What will it be like to meet them up there with language and culture barriers broken down and all of us one in Christ? I can only imagine!
Please continue to pray for the Simbari believers as they face opposition. They are currently making arrangements for the second Simbari baptism. One woman went home and told her unbelieving husband that she wanted to be baptized and his response was to beat her up and send all of her belongings to another village. He said when she decides not to be baptized, she can have her belongings back. When Oggs’ house was robbed last month, another church group here immediately took advantage of the situation to talk bad about us and the believers. The discrimination and slander that the believers have to face sometimes can be tough so pray that they would react in a godly manner and continue to grow in their faith.
Robbery Update
Speaking of the robbery, a solution has been found that I hope will deter further crime here in the tribe. When the wheels of justice were slow to turn (or not turning at all?), David Ogg met again with the village leaders and they came to another decision. The 2 boys were fined 100 kina each (about $30) and they have been told that they each have to cut and bring 100 poles from the jungle to rebuild our broken fence. That is a huge amount of work! This decision does not apply to the other boy who ran away to town and is in fact on the run from the law. Pray that the police will be able to find and punish him. It’s hard to know what to do in these situations so pray for wisdom and safety for our team.
It’s a Girl!
I just recently returned from our yearly conference and it was a good time of fellowship with other missionaries. I’m especially glad to be out of the tribe at this time because I was able to talk with my brother and sister-in-law and hear the announcement of the birth of my first niece, Olivia Ann. Now I get to buy all those sweet, girly things that I’ve always been tempted by. Olivia is 6 lbs, 15 oz, 19 inches long, and has lots of black hair. My brother says, “She’s really cute, more so than most babies I’ve seen.” Spoken like a proud papa!
Prayer Requests
Praise the Lord for a time of refreshment and connecting with fellow missionaries at our yearly conference.
Pray for wisdom and safety as we live and work in PNG.
Pray for our translation of the book of Romans. I have one more comprehension check to do on chapters 1-8 then we’ll be continuing on with the rest of the book.
In Christ,
Lori
“Ministry is a personal response to the gospel. The gospel is a well that never runs dry in its impact on our lives.” Mitch Hoskins at Highlands Conference 2009
