Safe Arrival in Lae

Sue says:

The road to Lae contained some challenges. At the bottom of Daulo Pass the mud on the road was a foot deep. A similar situation was found near Kassam Pass. In the Markham Valley water was running across the road for a ways. Rainy season remains just that in the mountains.

Last Friday, the welcome was hearty as we pulled into the Lae Centre. Around our flat Thelma has placed little cheery touches: ginger flowers on the kitchen table (see below), cute little throw rugs, a colorful dresser scarf and quality cookware.



That night the staff prepared a dinner so we could all spend time together.


The Lord had mercy on us our first two days here. It was cloudy and rainy, and therefore it was cooler. Thanks to the many who prayed for us.

We're adjusting to the changes in a new location. There are frequent power outages due to a tower in Markham Valley being downed by the heavy rain. Classes started yesterday. It was a blessing that we had power for them. We hear more students will be joining us as time goes on.

Packing Day

Sue says:

We're packing for our next adventure. Tomorrow we begin our drive to Lae. So you can see our toiletries, whatever kitchen items we think may be lacking in our transit flat, anti-malarials, books, videos, clothes for hot weather and so on are out on the dresser and bed ready to be whisked away.

Though Lae is only about 400 kilometers away, the mountains and poor roads call for a two-day journey, at least for our endurance. Tomorrow night we have reservations at Ukarumpa, the big missionary compound associated with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

We are not sure what the possibilities are for connection to the internet in Lae. As soon as we figure that out, we will post again.

Missions Week!

Sue says:

Once again it is Missions Week here at our Bible college. This special event is designed to let our students know what missions opportunities are available, to inform them what the Lord is doing in the nations of particular focus and to involve them in praying for God to build His church in the nations.



The logo for this year is above. The focus on Australia included reports from Serving In Mission (SIM), Australian Indigenous Mission (AIM) and Youth with a Mission (YWAM). As usual, it was an active, joy-filled week.



A highlight for me was getting to see two graduates who returned for the events. Biangkape, left, was an honors graduate in 2006, our first year here. She and I worked on and prayed together all that year about her thesis. Since graduation she has taught in a Bible school in West Papua, the Indonesian province in which Melanesians live. Because of political unrest there, she has returned home. She is now heading to Malaysia for nine weeks of Global Evangelism Training. She is seeking God's guidance about which Asian country is most in need of her.

Priscilla received her Christian Education Certificate in 2007. I taught several of her classes while she studied here two years. She recently was appointed the chairlady of women's ministries in the 13 local evangelical churches in which her language, Yongkom, is spoken. What a delight to hear how these two are continuing to disciple others who will themselves continue this process.

Another Tropical Delight

Sue says:

Our horticulturist friends seemed to enjoy the last post. Here is another wonder from the tropics. Guess what this one is too, and again it's name will be spelled backwards at the bottom of the page.

The fruit grows on a small tree. The fruit is smaller than the pepper mill you see it next to. Notice its seed pattern. That gives you a hint. Its consistency and taste are something like a Japanese persimmon. It tastes a little tart, but more sweet. Yum! I love to eat them!

Answer: otamoT eerT. Our Spanish-speaking friends will know it as olliramaT.

Beautiful Flowers

Jeff writes:

One of the joys of living here is the abundance of beautiful flowers.

One can plant a row of sticks in the ground, and before long up comes a beautiful flowering hedge.

Can any of you identify this flower? It is growing on a vine in our garden. The answer is spelled backwards below.

rewolF tiurF noinssaP

Bunemwo Church Grows

Jeff writes:

Lately, we have focused on Bung Ples and the results of the tribal fight there. As you know the Lord has taken what was meant for evil up there and turned it to good, for which we are thankful.

However, we are involved with other ministries outside of the campus besides Bung Ples.

In Bunemwo the people are working to construct a more permanent church building to replace the bush-materials church they have been meeting in since we have been here in PNG. (The back of the old building may be seen behind the foundation.)

Pastor Johnnie and Matthias Koim, who is currently completing his final year here at the CLTC, have led a team to construct this building. They have been buying lumber, nails, roofing iron, and other materials over these past years. Once they had enough on hand, they started construction. We have helped some with the purchase of nails and roofing iron, but for the most part this project has been their doing. They are a testimony of what should be going on in a mission field.

While it is easy for missionairies to step in with their abilities and funding, it is much better to leave the heavy lifting to the local church. Hopefully, missionaries can act like catalysts to help local processes along. In the end we must remember that the PNG church is God's church and that one day when we are no longer needed here, His church will continue to prosper.

For all of you tool guys out there I took this photo to show the sum total of the tools used to construct this building. There is not a power tool in the lot. I think this demonstrates the wonderful resourcefulness of these gifted people.

He Is Risen!

Sue says:

The campus denominational groups have joined together to enact the different events of Jesus' last supper with His disciples, betrayal, trials, death and resurrection. How it helps us to be able to see what actually happened.

This morning at 5 we were witnesses to the events surrounding Jesus' resurrection. How it cheered our hearts, even at that early hour, to hear the familiar statement and response, "He is risen!" "He is risen indeed!"

Down Under it is autumn now. The flowers for Easter here are not what Northern Hemisphere folks are used to. In the tropics it is rainy season. And a seriously rainy one it is here. Amaryllis, lilies (the one above is called Naked Lady because it has no leaves along its stem), poinsettia, chicory and some others are known as Easter flowers here.

Wherever you are celebrating The Resurrection, may the truth that He is risen dawn on your soul with new wonder.

Friends Move to Itinerant Status

Sue says:

Dan and Janet have been training Christian workers in PNG for something like 29 years. It has been our privilege to work with them at the Bible college for the last four-plus of them. They are now becoming more itinerant, moving from one part of PNG to another and part of the time serving in the US as well.

Above you see our principal and dean of studies recognizing them for their outstanding work here. Many people will miss them. They are our heroes, selflessly giving of themselves for the sake of Christ's people here in PNG.