Tyler and Emily in PNG

“Glory of God always comes at the sacrifice of self” – ICOM 2012

For the past week, Emily and I had the pleasure to join thousands of like minded missional folks from around the country and around the globe in Indianapolis at ICOM 2012 (International Conference on Missions). This years theme was a follow-up from the previous year, ‘Radical Again’.

For those not familiar with ICOM or formally known as National Missionary Convention, it is a annual super conference of missions for the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. It is a three day conference filled with main sessions and workshops plus an exhibit hall filled with mission organizations from around the country. Emily and I both volunteered at the Pioneer Bible Translators booth/exhibit.

Some of the workshops I attended throughout the conference were:
Reaching Muslims – Intro to Islam
Transformational Community Development – Seeing beyond the Need
Discipleship – Making Disciples Like Jesus Did
Unique Mission Endeavors – Global Evangelism through Media
Mobilization – I am Not Ashamed of…
Church – Tapping into Technology

Each workshop, I was able to take away at least one small thing. During the community development workshop, it was good to rethink our strategy. It is not necessarily the ‘need’ we should fix but we should ask the question, how can we use their ‘assets and resources’ better and in turn be self sustaining. Short term trips tend to focus so much on the ‘how can we fix the problem’ syndrome. A better perspective would be how can we help them use their resources better that will enhance their sustainability in the long-term.

Emily, on the other hand, was more centered on the exhibit hall and connecting with others. As an Ozark Christian College grad, she saw many friends and colleagues of the past at the conference. See saw many familiar faces and enjoyed many great hugs from friends and fellow missionaries alike. For Emily, this annual conference is a reunion of sorts and a time to rekindle the joy of missions around the world for the cause of Christ.

Prayer Requests:
Emily got notification this morning that her visa application got ‘lost’ and the PNG embassy is going to have to re-send the documents. Please pray for Emily’s visa application process.
Pray for the unreached people groups of the world.
Pray for justice and the slavery of young children in SE Asia.
Pray for those who have committed their lives to missions at the ICOM.

Praise:
Thank God for a great reunion and conference.
We have bought our tickets to return to PNG in January.
Tyler’s root canal and tooth is feeling much better.

Links:
ICOM – http://www.theicom.org/conference (video streams and more)
Audio Recordings of ICOM – http://catapes.com/
Pioneer Bible Translators – http://pioneerbible.org/ (New Website!)

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It has been a week of transition. We left Dallas last Friday and made stops in Missouri and Illinois to visit both family and friends. We are finally in Indiana and finally got a monthly newsletter written.

To read our November newsletter you can find it here: November

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By Emily

This month we are reading through the book of John a chapter a day together to help establish a routine amidst our continuously changing life as missionaries. Last week we read through chapter 17 and I was humbled by Jesus’ conversation with the Father as he prepares for his betrayal.

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:24-26

A wise woman gave me some advice once about searching for examples of characteristics for mentors in ministry. She advised me and some fellow sojourners in the ministry to search the gospels for the best example we can find and that is the example of Jesus and his ministry. As Tyler and I read through chapter 17 this week I was reminded of those words, especially since our hearts have been heavy for the work in Papua New Guinea knowing that there is still a great task in front of us and our team and we are so far from them right now. I am reminded by Jesus’ example of prayer to battle for our team and those who have yet to know our Father in prayer.

Jesus gave us an example of how He interacted with people on earth, but he also gave us an example of how he interacted with our Heavenly Father through prayer. I am yet again, so thankful for the gift of God’s Word in my heart language. I am thankful that I may cry to God and know He hears my prayers and answers them, because He has given example after example of answered prayers in His Word.

Please continue to join with us in prayer about the opportunity of giving we presented last week. Please consider giving above and beyond a gift towards a new vehicle for the PNG branch. No gift is too small. In fact, if God leads you to give your gift will be doubled. What an exciting opportunity to see God’s Kingdom advanced by your help to provide a very simple tool of transportation. Please revisit last week’s post for more information.

Papua New Guinea themed carved pumpkins from PNG missionaries…
Trick or Treat

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The past week has been full of dinner appointments with fellow PBT members here in Dallas. We have had an outing or an appointment for seven straight days now. It is nice to reconnect with familiar faces and share what has been going on with our lives for the past few years. Emily has enjoyed sharing our photo wedding book with others as well.

Last Thursday we had a ministry debriefing meeting with the president of PBT, Greg. Greg is also a Bible translator and he understands the overseas missionary culture and challenges. We sent over two hours talking about our first term on the field as missionaries and celebrated together the accomplishments. Emily has story after story of successful scripture impact engagements from Gandep Bible School to SD card distributions to memory booklets. Greg applauded the efforts of Emily and gave her positive affirmation. It was very encouraging to Emily that the man on top gave her personal recognition and encourages to keep doing the same.

We also discussed the overall dynamics of the PNG branch, the direction, vision, and future of PBT in PNG. Once again, Greg believes that for PBT to fulfill the mission and charge put before us, we must continue to strive for the finish line. As Emily wrote a few weeks back, that finish line is year 2050.

On another note, both Emily and I have been reaching out to a young family that is planning to join the team in PNG this coming January. Currently they are in the middle of partnership development or support raising which is a time of faith building and stretching. Emily and I want to extend our knowledge and experiences with them as they prepare to head to the field in the coming months.

On Sunday night we invited them over and their two young daughters for an Alaskan wild salmon dinner. We broke bread, played games, and shared. I believe the time we spend on this side of the ocean cultivating relationships will help greatly on the other side once we meet again in PNG.

This week, we will be traveling to Ozark Christian College for a recruiting trip that Emily and her friend. They will be presenting to students at their alma mater and sharing the many needs of PBT around the world. Please pray for our travels to Missouri and back. Pray that God will use Emily to speak to the college students and potential recruits for PBT and missions. Also, praise God for the sale of my Jeep in Alaska. A buyer from Anchorage bought my Jeep on Friday and the funds have been deposited into my account in full. Praise God!

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The church Emily and I have been attending here in Dallas area is finishing the series, ‘The Story.’ This past Sunday was the penultimate message of the series about the final days of Paul.

I enjoy Paul’s letters and his writings. Paul was a pioneering missionary who went to the places no one else wanted to go. He was a model and had no fear. The single most important step on his journey was his transformation by a blinding light.

As Paul wrote during his end times, he encouraged us to never give up speaking the gospel, to finish the race and keep the faith. Life isn’t really about who wins or loses or who gets their the fastest, but that we finish the race. That we break through the banner and strive to run through the finish line.

Mi bin ran strong long gutpela resis bilong laip. Nau mi kamap pinis long mak, na mi bin holimpas bilip bilong mi long God. Nau prais bilong man i winim resis em i redi na i wetim mi i stap. Dispela prais em i olsem. Bikpela bai i kolim mi stretpela man. 2 Timoti 4:7-8

Why do we run this race? Trophy? Ring? New car? $5,000? Glass of milk? No, we run for a crown of righteousness.

How do we get to the finish line? We drink from the ‘living water’, we eat from the ‘bread of life’, and well…we must rest on the seventh day. As any athlete is conditioned, so must God fearing Christians be spiritually conditioned both through the Word and through mediation.

Remember to run with all your heart, mind, body, and soul. Keep the faith and finish the race!

Tok Pisin Bible – http://www.bible.is/TPIPNG/2Tim/4

(If you have missed our October Newsletter, you can find it by clicking on the Newsletter tab above.)

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I apologize for leaving you faithful followers of our blog in the shadows over the past few weeks. A lot has taken place over the past three weeks. Emily came and went from Kenya, I left Alaska, then we started our long journey to Dallas via Denver for a 80th birthday celebration of Emily’s grandfather. So…we are in Dallas at last or as the GPS states, “You have reached your destination.”

This past week, we left Emily’s parents home on Thursday and drove to Billings to stay the night with Emily’s best friend. Back up a few days, on Monday I came down with a sore throat which I diagnosed as tonsillitis. I pushed fluids, rested, and took Advil. I was starting to feel a bit better by Thursday, however by the time we got to Billings my right ear was in pain. I went to the walk in clinic in Billings and told me I had a bad ear infection. They prescribed antibiotics and off I went. I am still fighting the ear infection and constant middle ear ringing. I am often tired and loud noises are disturbing to my ears. I have mild hearing loss in my right ear and tired of hearing myself talk inside my head. Nonetheless, the journey must move on towards our destination, Dallas.

Emily drove the whole way from Billings, MT to Denver, CO. I was in and out of consciousness most of the day. All I could do was fill the car with gas and make sure Emily knew the way to Denver. (We only missed our exit ramp once in Denver.)

We were blessed to stay with some supporters in Denver and close friends of Emily from her college days in Joplin. We were in Denver Friday through Sunday. We were there to attend her grandfathers 80th birthday explosion. With over 200 guests on Sunday afternoon, it was quite a party.

We left early Monday morning for Stillwater, OK. I was feeling better so I drove the first 340 miles (without stopping) then gave the wheel over to Emily for the next 300 miles (without stops). Yes, we drove from Denver to OK with only one 10 minute refueling stop. And yes, I am proud of that accomplishment.

We stayed with our PNG missionary friends home on furlough then left the next morning for a short 4.5 hour trip to Dallas. We arrived shortly after 1 pm to our new home for the next 6 weeks in Duncanville, TX.

Thank you for your prayers during our traveling journey of 1800 miles from MT to TX. Emily counted state license plates and we totaled 35 different states between Denver and Dallas.

Please continue to pray for these requests:

– Pray for healing of Tyler’s ear infection and constant ear ringing.
– Pray that Tyler’s Jeep will sell in Alaska.
– Pray for Emily’s name change on her PNG visa. (Praise God – Emily’s name change has been approved for her PNG work permit.)
– Pray for our transition into Dallas and open doors God will lead us through over the next 6 weeks.

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