Tyler and Emily in PNG

Last week, I walked over to the post office with Bethaney just for a few moments of fresh air. As I was reading the bulletin board Bethaney yelled out, ‘Tyler, a package for you.’ I knew I had a package coming but thought it would be at least another week before arrival. Sure enough, there was a package with my name on it. I knew what was inside and I was eager to open the package and see all the goodies that my mother sent me.

When I opened the package, I had four PBT polo shirts, two lounging shorts, book Don’t Waste Your Life, hard drive external case, AAA batteries, magazines, peanut M&M’s, and a can of Hershey’s cocoa. My day was fulfilled!

I proudly showed off my new PBT polo shirts and got many ooo’s and ahhh’s. I was impressed myself and really enjoy the color variation. I submitted the idea to my mother and she did the rest. Now the office staff are envious and have plenty ‘ai gris’ (jealousy).

The package took two weeks to arrive with some 11 days between Chicago and Papua New Guinea. The international tracking is not as sophisticated as domestic tracking. Truthfully, it is rather amazing the some packages even arrive in country. I have heard of many horror of packages not even being delivered, lost, or returned to sender. Sometimes the local post office doesn’t even know what to do with a package. Nonetheless, I am very thankful and praise God for the arrival of this care package. Thank you Mom and Dad!

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I subscribe to a daily e-devotion spurred from the Purpose Driven Life titled, Purpose Driven Connection. A few days ago, Warren reminded his subscribers  during hard times or frustrations that indeed God is good and He is in control. He listed 4 spiritual strongholds that I know I cling to daily:

1. The Holy Spirit is praying for you. “[T]he Spirit himself speaks to God for us, and even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain” (Romans 8:26 NCV).

2. God uses everything for your good. “And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28 NIV). God is bigger than your enemies. He’s bigger than your critics. He’s bigger than your problems. And he’s working it all for good in your life.

3. God wants you to succeed. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NLT). God wants you to succeed in all those areas where you are failing. He’s pulling for you.

4. God will give you what you need. “And since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT). God solved your biggest problem when he paid for all your sins, including the ones you haven’t done yet. If God cared enough to save you and give you the gift of eternal life, don’t you think he cares about the problems in your daily life? If it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about. And if you pray about it, you won’t have to worry about it.

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Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts. I apologize for not posting prayers and praises as often as I should. As any missionary living in a developing country you always can pray for: safety, health, strong spiritual guidance, and protection for the evil one.

Praises:
Good health
God is answering prayers
Great village visit and great holiday to the highlands

Prayer Requests:
God to direct my paths as I continue to evaluate my time in PNG
Stand strong against the devil’s schemes
God to use me and my talents to serve effectively