Tyler and Emily in PNG

This weeks focus has been the scripture from Luke 1:37 – ‘For nothing is impossible with God.‘ This is story of when Gabriel the angel came to the virgin Mary with the news that she give birth to a son, and give him the name Jesus.  Think of this impossible acts:  the act of a virgin giving birth, even the use of apostles such as the uncouth John the Baptist to be the front man for Jesus or unstable Peter to become the Rock of the Church. God truly uses the ordinary (Mary, John the Baptist, Peter, me and you) to do the extra-ordinary. Why? Because God loves us and God has faith in us. The angel said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ (Luke 1:30) Are you afraid as an ordinary to do the extra ordinary for God? Try to put your feet in the shoes (or sandals) of Mary. ‘For nothing is impossible with God.‘

This past week I was starting to worry about financial matters in relation to my budget funding of raising $25,000/yr or $38,000 for 18 months. I am six weeks from departing the USA for PNG. My last count I was looking at 80 – 85% total budget raised. Earlier this week emails started swirling about my budget needing to be raised by 10% to account for a more comfortable less restrictive time on the field. I was not pleased to be reading this as I am preparing to leave in six weeks. My mind was calculating that I am now only at 70 – 75% funded. I need to be at least 90% funded before I can purchase airfare.  As I have been praying and trusting God to provide as he promises in Phil 4:19 that I will be 100% funded and all needs will be satisfied. To make long story short, I received 25% total support this past week plus adding monthly support for the first year I am currently 122% funded based on my original approved budget. If you extrapolate 18 months, I am only 8% short of my goal. Praise the Lord! I am shocked and surprised nonetheless to go from 80% to 120%. Wow, I never thought I would raise near $38,000 for 18 months of support in 10 weeks. Praise be to God!

I also mailed and applied for my 3 year resident visa this week. It did arrive to the PNG Embassy in DC on Thursday. I called the embassy and they did tell me my application and passport did arrive and my approval from the PNG government has arrived as well. I should have my resident visa in 3 – 5 days.

Prayer Requests:
– Resident Visa will be obtaining without error or hang-ups
– Continued support for 100% funded
– Start to look for one way airfare and purchase of tickets

Praises:
– God has supplied 122% for first year and 92% for 18 months