Happy Easter from PNG!!

"Oh death! Where is your sting? 

Oh hell! Where is your victory? 

Oh Church! Come stand in the light! 

The glory of God has defeated the night!" 

-Matt Maher-"Christ is Risen"

Christ is Risen....He has Risen Indeed! 

 Jisas i kirap bek....Tru tru em i kirap bek! 

New Tools for us to Use

This week, Scott and I attended the “Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills” workshop for six days in Goroka at New Tribes Mission. We studied topics ranging from managing stress and maintaining margin to relationship killers and confronting well, using role playing, brainstorming, and analyzing demonstrations. It was an enjoyable, interactive and challenging course that encouraged us to deeply consider our core beliefs on these topics and to compare and contrast them with a Christian worldview. It was a great opportunity to meet other missionaries and visit with friends in Goroka, too! 

Rediscovering a Fundamental Truth

Prior to coming to Papua New Guinea I used to do some security consulting. Most of the work I performed was for corporations, but the projects I enjoyed the most were for churches and Christian schools.  You see, when you consult for a Christian ministry, you can openly tell your client that prayer is the most important countermeasure and they will readily understand you.

Now that I’m in Papua New Guinea, I find myself frequently “rediscovering” this fundamental truth. In the U.S., I had far more resources at my disposal.  Here I find myself stretching to ensure that basic things get done.  Back home, I was good at assessing people’s intentions through the subtext of the conversation. Here, I miss a lot of cross-cultural nuances.  In the U.S., I knew what words like “normal” and “reasonable” meant.  Here, I routinely find myself doing things that I consider to be wildly unreasonable. It is only through prayer and reliance on God that I can do anything here.

Some of you have been on short-term missions and wonder what it would be like to serve full-time overseas.  I can tell you that it is truly an adventure. However, whatever you struggle with now will only be amplified overseas. I have good days and bad days; times when I’m on top of the world and times when I’m greatly disappointed in myself.

Through it all, God is teaching me while I serve Him. He is sovereign and I simply cannot do this by myself.  My brothers and sisters in Christ, if that sounds familiar, it is because you are also a missionary to those around you.  Keep praying, keep working and know that God wastes nothing in our lives.  -Scott

How is the miracle of Easter still transforming lives?

“My purpose is that they (you) may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they (you) may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they (you) may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

As I sat and storied with Hegia, my “PNG mom”, she told me how her grandmother had met the first missionaries who came to the Aiyura valley. Her grandmother thought they were spirits or ghosts when she saw their white skin! We laughed about it, and reflected on how their beliefs have changed. Hegia said she was so glad that, even though we are many colors, we are all loved the same by God, and Jesus died for us all.  What a huge blessing to be able to mutually encourage each other with that truth!  Later that week, I spoke via Skype to my friend Susan in New Hampshire and I was blessed to be using technology to stay connected, regardless of distance, to encourage and uplift each other.  Though there are many fears and uncertainties in this life, God’s Truth remains.  Let the miracle of Easter continue to transform us, that we may be an encouragement to each other in times of joy and pain, regardless of where we are planted!

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” Matthew 28: 5-6    - Kathy