END OF A CHAPTER

 

Dear Family and Friends:

 

It has been a very long time since we have corresponded with you through our blog though we have had the privilege to talk and visit with many during the last few months. We apologize for the long delay of sharing an update.  Truth be told we have been as uncertain as to what we were going to do or what God had for us to do as you were.

We came home from Papua New Guinea in June of 2023 with the full expectation that we would be returning to PNG in the beginning of the 2023 fall school year. Throughout our wait from June 2023 until August of 2024 we have had many delays, pauses, and uncertainty in situations which we have come to realize were God directed.  Though at the time we were frustrated, impatient and often wondered “what are we supposed to be doing?”.

Initially we had issues with our visas.  We had to reapply in June of 2023, but the PNG government had electronic processing issues which resulted in delays of getting our necessary documents processed and returned.  Eventually we did receive them in October of 2023.   The process should have only taken about a month but took almost 5 months.  By then we had another delay.

Unexpectedly, Bob sustained a knee injury while playing pickleball in July of 2023.  (Bob’s obviously not as young as he thought - lol!)  He eventually had to seek medical care which resulted in needing an MRI and then surgery to his knee.  Initially we thought he would have surgery in the fall followed by physical therapy and be ready to leave by Christmas, 2023 but through many setbacks of appointments, cancellations and issues with booking surgery it was January of 2024 before Bob had his surgery.  Then he had some complications of healing with limited mobility issues.  This led us to this past summer when we had to make our decision of whether we returned to PNG. 

During this past summer of 2024 we have experienced two significant losses – Gayle’s brother and Bob’s mother along with several other family and friends.  It has seemed that we have had 18 months of sadness, though, we are happy that our family members are rejoicing with our Lord and Savior!

So here we were home in Michigan thinking we would be returning in August 2023, then October 2023, next December 2023, maybe April 2024, and finally August 2024, we even had a wonderful visit with Ben & Kathryn Radcliffe (Medical Director of the PNG Nazarene Hospital) while they were on home assignment here in the US.  Dr. Ben and Gayle were both looking forward in working together to develop a Quality Program for the hospital.  We, also, realized PNG was going to be changing Bob’s role from what he had done previously, being a teacher, to being more of a teacher assistant.  This would be different than what his work visa was approved for, so we had some hesitation there.  We were also informed that they had a couple new teachers that were arriving in time for the fall school year.  After spending much time in prayer and seeking God’s direction in our decision we felt that it was best to not return to PNG. 

So, life finds us here at home. We spent May serving with a ministry called SOWERS on the west part of Michigan.   Bob also leads an archery program for grades 4^th – High School at our home church.  We are also involved in the roll out of a new Compassion Ministry which will provide care and visits to the ill, hurting and lonely.  Since missions is still a big part of who we are we have formed a youth mission team.  Our team will be serving in an impoverished area in Wheelersburg, Ohio next June 2025.  So, we are trying to stay out of trouble and look for opportunities to serve even though it is not in Papua New Guinea.

Another important piece of information that we wanted to share was our mission finances.  First, we want to thank you all again for your investment in our PNG mission through your financial giving, your many prayers on our behalf and your continued thoughts and words of encouragement.  Since we are not returning to PNG, we realized we have monies that were given above what we used for our expenses.  We reached out to the PNG missionaries and asked for some guidance in how to best use these funds.  We have made the decision that these extra monies will be going in a PNG Hospital Fund that can be used for equipment, staff or any vital hospital need and another portion will be used by the Missionary Kids (MK) School for technology updates and staff who may need extra support.

It is hard to believe that our Papa New Guinea journey began back in April of 2022.  We first heard about PNG at the Nazarene Mission Conference and felt the first nudging of the Holy Spirit in asking us to be obedient to His will of serving there though it was for a short time.    Most assuredly we can say that God has been with us in all the decisions, all our travel and our many experiences. He has required our obedience, called us to trust Him when the pieces did not seem to fit together, brought us many small and large miracles to attest to HIS power and care and has brought us closer to HIM throughout these months.  Through it all we feel blessed to have met the people of Papua New Guinea and the opportunity in serving for a short time.  It is with sadness and tears that we thank you again in being with us throughout our journey as it comes to a close.

 We pray Numbers 6:24-26 for each of you:

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Until we meet again….

 

Bob & Gayle