SCHOOL'S OUT

We have arrived home after spending the past eight weeks in PNG.  Since the Missionary Kids school is out for “summer” and won’t resume until August our teaching commitment is fulfilled. It was a HUGE blessing to be part of a community where everyone was there to serve God.  Life was busy with responsibilities and duties to perform to keep the mission running smoothly.  However, the blessing that comes is knowing every missionary serving at the hospital was there to glorify God and advance His kingdom.  What a privilege to get a glimpse of what God wants everyone to live and experience. We are so grateful for being a very small part of what God is doing in PNG.

The last week prior to leaving was a roller coaster of emotions: sadness to leave so many enjoyable students and their families, along with many new national friends and acquaintances, excitement about seeing our family, hopefulness that we can get beyond the Chikungunya Fever that we had our last week in PNG, uncertainty in knowing if we are called to serve again in Kudjip, and lots of smiles for the memories and experiences of these past weeks.   Our last week was greatly impacted by a fever that we both experienced that made it difficult to navigate through the final days in PNG.  It basically kept us in our home and away from everyone as we were recuperating.  We had wanted to host some of our fellow missionary friends and say some good-byes but were unable to.  We were praying that we could recover enough to make the travel back to the States and God was good as we were able to make the trip and even recovered enough that we could eat some food, though in very small quantities. 

A beautiful tradition at Kudjip is to have a prayer circle for missionaries prior to their leaving PNG for a significant length of time. This gathering of missionaries (adults and children) occurs the morning of departure. Hands are held within a circle as prayer is raised for the safety of those who will be traveling. The missionary families met in our driveway the morning we left and prayed for our travel.   Then they tossed flower blossoms at our departing vehicle as we drove off.  What a special send-off!

Our travel home took over 72 hours with our route taking us through Australia this time rather than Singapore.  We had some lengthy layovers from 3 ½ hours to 7 hours so there was never concern for missing a connection. While enroute to home we even met some new friends from Wycliffe Bible Translators and some PNG nationals traveling to the Nazarene District Assembly in Indiana.  Upon our arrival to Michigan, we were greeted by our son and two granddaughters with lots of hugs.  It felt wonderful as we had missed them! 

So, we are home and sleeping in our own bed. Now what?

We are certain God wanted us in Papua New Guinea to wrap up their school year and be able to provide some support to the missionary families.  We are not sure what HE wants us to do next.  We would be gladly welcomed if we would return and continue to help teach.  In my mind teaching seems easy, yet at my age the energy level lags behind what I would like to be giving.  The kids are wonderful, and full of energy and excitement to learn.  Parent are encouraging and appreciative. 

A dear friend and example to us shared some wisdom.  “Just because you have the ability to fill a need, doesn’t mean you are called.”  We are praying to determine if we are called.  We have applied to get paperwork extended in the event God does call us to return to Kudjip.  We want to do our part if that is in our future.  However, we do not know.  Please pray that we could know what God wants us to do.  In the “waiting and praying” time we are catching up with what needs to be done here in Michigan, along with sharing some hugs and special moments with family and friends.