When I (Martha) noticed the leaves changing colors in early September, my heart sank. As someone who grew up in Southern California, I adore the rare occasion when I get to experience the season of Fall. It is something I get extremely excited about, and I relish the drives and walks where I am a spectator of God’s great colorful artwork.
But not this time. It was too soon, and I desperately wanted summer not to end.
Over and over, I tried to notice and enjoy the subtle changes happening before my eyes, but every time I did, all I felt was sadness, and a tinge of fear. The changing leaves were a visual reminder of the changes occurring in our life—a reminder that we would soon be leaving Jacob behind and returning to PNG.
But God was gracious to me, and the changes occurred slowly. The trees began shedding their leaves in earnest only a few days ago. Over the past few weeks, God has been teaching me to adopt a posture of acceptance and a heart that trusts. It is no secret that I struggle with fear and anxiety, but more and more as intrusive scenarios of all the bad things that could happen enter my brain, I am reminded of how God has been good and faithful all my life.
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| The changing leaves of Fall |
The highlight of our month was an amazing visit to the Brooklyn Tabernacle. We originally met Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle at our missionary commissioning in 2011, just prior to leaving for Papua New Guinea. Pastor Cymbala and his church have been a huge blessing to us ever since. Our most recent visit felt like a much needed infusion from a spiritual IV after a couple of very difficult years. Adam, especially, felt invigorated after our visit and left with renewed hope and a renewed confidence that God will continue to use us for his purposes, especially to lead people to the throne of grace.
The month of October has been busy, and we are feeling the time crunch of a six-month furlough. Most days are filled with homeschooling, running errands, chauffeuring Jacob to and from work, and what seems like endless doctors’ appointments. We took a trip to Williamsport to visit the Pennsylvania College of Technology and learn more about their welding and construction programs. We were impressed with the school and the drive was beautiful, with pops of color bursts all along the highway. This time I was able to settle in and enjoy it.
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| Being prayed for by Pastor Cymbala and many pastors and leaders at the Brooklyn Tabernacle (Adam and I are right up front facing Pastor Cymbala) |
Though we have much to celebrate with the recent completion of the Enga New Testament, the truth is that the challenges of the past few years have taken their toll on us. It was wonderful to be ministered to by the people at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. We were able to attend a few sessions of a pastor’s intensive conference as well as attend the Sunday services and the incredible Tuesday night prayer meeting where Adam was invited to share about our journey so far. (Click the video below to watching Adam sharing at the Brooklyn Tabernacle's Tuesday Prayer Meeting. The section featuring Adam starts at the 1:34:09 timestamp.)
We are about to enter our busiest month yet, with more travel, college visits, family visits, doctor’s appointments, and other tasks to prepare for our return to PNG. Please pray that we will be able to complete all our medical appointments prior to leaving for PNG. Continue to pray for Jacob to receive wisdom about what is next for him after he completes his internship with Push the Rock.
We have tickets to return to PNG on January 7, Lord willing. The days are flying by, and we are grateful for the moments we are getting with family and friends. We are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with Adam’s sister Amy and her family here in Pennsylvania as well as spending an early Christmas with Adam's sister Brook and niece Sailor. Thank you for your prayers for our family and the people of Enga. May God surround you with his blessings this Thanksgiving season.
