Bulletin No 178 - October 2005 from  June Hathersmith  in USA           for earlier bulletins, please see June's home page  click here

Hello, friend!

Oh, my! OCTOBER already…Glorious Autumn is here with all its golden beauty. Little by little, green is turning to russet brown on the hillside at the back of my house. Leaves are spinning down. Pumpkins are on doorsteps. And, cooler days are coming! Yeah!

Spring and summer flew by for me and probably for you. I’m glad my TRAVELS ARE OVER FOR A WHILE, and I’m scrabbling to catch up at home. It’s time—for sure—to tell you how God answered prayer. Please forgive me for the silence. I know it’s uncharacteristic and you may have wondered if I had fallen off the planet while in Papua New Guinea. Almost, but not quite…

I loved DISCOVERY 2005. It was fun as well as demanding, introducing 19 people to life in PNG. Challenging to keep up with young folk in their early twenties! I still feel that age inside, though, and found the time rejuvenating. We had a wonderful summer. Each one spent time in Papua New Guinean villages, learned to enjoy local people and began to appreciate the need for the Word of God.

ONE OF THE DISCOVERERS WROTE: “The most amazing thing I experienced, other than the hospitality and giftedness of the people, was a deep sense of closeness with my Papua New Guinean host family. Imagine being in a remote village, halfway round the world, in a world without electricity, 9—5s, alarm clocks, deadlines…and yet, I found myself bonded to my host father on a deep level in a short amount of time. For all our differences, we had one thing in common that was deeper and stronger—a relationship with and commitment to Jesus Christ. We serve the same Boss, and that united us at a deep level.” Wow!

During the summer, I thoroughly enjoyed the seven Discoverers who were FOLLOWING THE COMMUNICATIONS TRACK. It was my special task to mentor and train them. Over several intensive weeks the team produced more than a hundred articles, 8000 photos, a short video, a brochure, and several booklets encouraging readers to pray for Papua New Guinea translators. God is good. We all got along well as a team and worked with enthusiasm. All gained great experience and some were given college credits.

Right now one of those Discoverers, DAVID RINGER, is staying with me. He is considering a career in Communications with Wycliffe. He is a gifted writer, editor and photographer. We invited David to return to PNG with me in February to help with publicity for several months. Meanwhile he is getting some experience working with a sister organization, The Seed Company, and volunteering two days a week to help me distribute the many materials created over the summer. We expect to use them on the new www.wycliffe.net as part of the PNG segment. And, they will be posted on our WNN (Wycliffe News Network) and hopefully used in publicity worldwide by communications personnel. These two jobs and mentoring David will keep me busy for a while!

In PNG in March I tore the meniscus cartilage in my right knee. I found it hard to walk but was able to drive and get around and take part in most Discovery and other work activities. But I knew surgery could be around the corner once I returned home. After MRI scans and doctor consultations the reason for the constant pain became evident. The torn ligament has been constricting the movement of the bones in my leg. Hopefully arthroscopic KNEE SURGERY on October 14 will restore pain-free movement. I will need to rest for about 48 hours until the swelling decreases and then by mid-November I plan to be running and jumping like a lively lamb! God willing…

In August I had to return early from PNG and go on to England to help MY MOTHER. I saw God’s timing in this, for we had just finished Discovery. She was in hospital for weeks, but doggedly insisted on returning home to live independently. The hospital staff felt she was well enough to go home and able to live alone. I was in England for two weeks while she was in hospital and one more week to help her transition home. She agreed to allow a health visitor to go in once a day just to keep an eye on her. Sadly my mother isn’t doing well, and is unwilling to consider sheltered care. I phone her often. She doesn’t have a good short-term memory, and often is uncertain what day or time of day it is. She won’t eat even if food is prepared for her, but is surviving on vitamin drinks and sleeping a lot of the time.

“AND THAT IS ALL I KNOW”—as Karen used to say. I know a lot more about God’s faithfulness. I mentioned Isaiah 41, verse 9 in my last bulletin. I realize how God fulfilled this for me in answer to your prayers.

"You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you. Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength, I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."

THANK YOU for being my friend. I don’t know how I would manage without you. I’m planning to write a bulletin once a month from now on with rather less text, you’ll be glad to hear. Thanks for reading and caring.

Much love,

June