Happy New Year! In five days, I (Martha), Adam, Bella, and Asher will begin our journey back to Papua New Guinea. Bella and Asher are looking forward to reuniting with their friends and resuming their normal lives. I typically hate change of all kinds, but this time around I am choosing to embrace it. For the last couple of months, the Lord has given me the word peace to meditate on. It just keeps popping into my head. I know that many people adopt a word to focus on each year. I have never done this. All I know is that the word peace keeps showing up. I hear it, I see it, and dare I say, I feel it. This is a pretty big deal for my anxiety-ridden mind.
Our family has been reading through a book called A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller. Adam and I read it together during our year in Ecuador in 1999-2000. It left a great impact on me back then, and I am enjoying reading it with my family now. Early on in the book, I came across a line that greatly convicted me: “Contentment should be the hallmark of the man or woman who has put his or her affairs in the hands of God.” Contentment, also known as peace. The Christian should be at peace because they have given their lives over to God and they trust that He is good. Though we are in the midst of great change in our family, the Lord has given me a unique sense of peace.
I know and believe that this greater sense of peace is a direct result of people praying. Please join us in praying for the following needs throughout 2024.
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| Having fun and at peace in the midst of transition |
Jacob
We part ways with this boy on January 6. On January 30 he goes to Emmaus, Pennsylvania, for a month of training with Push the Rock, a sports ministry, before heading to Costa Rica with Push the Rock in the beginning of March. He plans to return to the US in August and begin a year of junior college north of Pittsburgh. Please pray for this huge transition of living away from his parents. Pray that his experience with Push the Rock will grow and stretch him spiritually and that he will be a blessing to the kids he is serving. Pray that he will be disciplined and motivated to do well academically when he returns to the US, and that he will seek the Lord’s direction and receive clarity on what is next for him.
Bella
Bella is excited to return to Ukarumpa and experience all the activities of her junior and senior years. Pray that she will transition well. She will also be applying to colleges later this year. Pray that God will direct her as to where to attend. Pray that she will grow in her faith and walk with God and that she will have a meaningful and memorable school year both academically and socially.
Asher
Asher is also excited to return to Ukarumpa. He will be starting his second semester of eighth grade. Pray that he will transition well socially and academically. Pray that he will be disciplined and motivated in his studies with organization and hard work. Pray for a smooth transition to high school. Pray that he has a great basketball season. This is his passion, and he can’t wait to get back and join the team. Pray that he will grow and mature in his faith and walk with God.
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| Asher, Jacob, and Bella |
Pray for the Lord to guide us as we parent our children, and pray for us to trust God as we leave Jacob and return to PNG. Pray that we will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and direction. Pray for strength and stamina to do the work we are called to do. Pray that I will be able to sleep through the night.
Enga Bible Translation
It is our hope that the Enga New Testament will be dedicated in June or July of 2024. Please pray for peace and reconciliation among the tribes in Enga. There have been many disputes since the elections a couple of years ago that have caused civil unrest. Pray that nothing will delay the distribution and dedication of the Enga New Testament. Pray that the printed New Testaments will arrive in Ukarumpa on time and for an organized distribution process. Pray most of all that the Enga people will have a heart to receive and read or listen to the New Testament. Pray that the Holy Spirit would move in a mighty way and the Word of God will have a great and lasting impact on the lives of the Enga people.
Please let us know how we can be praying for you. We are incredibly thankful for your prayers and partnership. We could not do this without you. May the peace of God be with you all in the coming year.
