Tyler and Emily in PNG

Less than 2 weeks and I will be an expatiate living in a foreign land and learning a totally different culture. My mind is having difficultly trying to fathom what ‘shock’ that I am about to experience. Leaving the USA for a topical island in the South Pacific where over 85% of the nationals live subsistence is beyond imagine for any white skin. Luckily for me, I’ve had a short, brief 2 week introduction to the island and culture. Not to say that I have a jump start on anyone else, but at least my eyes have seen and my tongue has tasted.

Today, reading in Ephesians brother Paul is encouraging the church to pray and pray every moment. I shared with the class that money, education, skills and talents would be nothing unless prayer was involved. Me going across the ocean would be nothing unless prayer was involved. I can have the proper documents, financial support, and skills required but if I or you do not pray then God is absent. Paul reminds us to pray, and pray often. I can testify that I personally can feel the power of prayer. There were times when I was in PNG last year that I felt prayers. There were times when I was in Dallas for missiological training that I felt prayers. God’s Spirit is alive and you must not forget to pray. Your communication to the Father is through prayer and worship. Your Father wants a relationship with you, will you talk to your Him?

—–

I think one of the biggest crutches in life is transportation. Take your mode of transportation away and life comes to a halt. Well, I have been nursing my battery for a month or more and finally Saturday afternoon I went to start my Jeep and I heard ‘click, click, click, click’. Finally my battery has lost the ooooffff to start the engine. I am stuck! Well at least I was stuck at home and not elsewhere. I scrambled for a jump but still the same result. It must be really really dead or bad connections. The battery is approximately 60 months old and the cold cranking amps in Alaska is just not doing it. A new car battery less than 2 weeks before I leave is not on the budget list. I made a few phone calls and I got a used battery that works for the last few weeks of my life as I know it in the USA. I cleaned the terminals, tighten the fittings with new bolts and nuts, and 3 hours later the roar of an engine. Now if I can just milk it 11 more days.

Next Sunday, Jan 16 will be my last Sunday and the church will be having a coffee and dessert following service. This will be my sending service and the pastor has asked if  I wanted to say a few words. I will be preparing a few statements to say to the church on my last Sunday. A few points will be thanks for sending me, please continue to pray for me, and how God has impacted my life.

Prayer Requests:
Final preparation for moving and packing
Pacific Orientation Course – 14 week orientation to the culture, land, customs, and language that I will be attending shortly after arrival

Praises:
God has provided: work permit, visa, and financial support