My dear friend
Back in Texas on a hot muggy afternoon. Quite a contrast to England.
Yesterday we had a good rain which seemed to bring my worlds a bit
closer!
You will remember I was in the thick of it when I last wrote, worried
about my mother and knowing that the remaining days with her would be
tough. They were. God pulled me out of a few miserable times. I am
deeply appreciative of your understanding and prayers. Lots of people
seem to have stubborn mothers. I oscillated between trying to encourage
and help her and being frustrated that she wouldn't accept assistance of
any kind from me.
My mother recovered quite well physically, but a few days after I left developed painful gout in a toe and was nauseated by antibiotics. I was concerned because she wasn't eating. But, it takes a lot to keep a determined woman down! The very next day she called me, "I'm taking a taxi to the hospital in a week's time to be part of the Collegiate Boards Examinations for Maxillo-Facial Surgeons. I've been chosen because I'm such a good patient. I always cheer the doctors up, I have excellent hearing and good eyesight and I don't use two sticks to poke people with." As she put it, "Now you see how important I am! I will be the most lively one there. " She probably WILL be the life and soul of the party.
My visa for Papua New Guinea was stamped in my passport this week and I have my tickets. I travel on September 25 via Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia, and should arrive in Port Moresby on September 27. I may have to run between planes in Sydney---there is only one hour between flights. Please pray flights are on time and I make it. I'm hoping to fly by JAARS plane to Ukarumpa on Wednesday September 29.
I thought it might be helpful to list some prayer points for this visit:
1. TIME IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA (PNG)
Working with others to initiate publicity material which will develop interest, prayer, funding and recruitment. Hoping to devise mini training courses to help people recognize a story, know how to dig out the crucial details and develop ways to pass it on. It's on September 26 I have just the one hour to make the crucial connection onto the Sydney to Moresby flight. Yikes! I'll be out of breath over that one to be sure! My sprinting ability has declined. And as I grow more mature, my hand baggage is heavier. Work that one out!
A wonderful plus! My home-from-home will again be with Brian and Val Hodgkin, their girls AND their three dogs and three cats.
Returning to the States, God willing, on November 23, just in time for Thanksgiving
2. GOD'S EQUIPPING FOR MINISTRY IN PNG
Health: that God will heal my wheezing and raised blood pressure caused by removing mould in my mother's home & that the medicine I'm taking will do its job.
Spiritual Vigour: that God would equip me with a ministry of encouragement and that I'll rest in His love and grace and allow Him to work in and through me. Boy, I need His help!
Consultant skills: that God would enable me to affirm, inspire and train others in communication. Please ask God to give me a loving, servant heart.
3. SAFETY AND GOOD HEALTH IN PNG
Travel: on big and little planes. I love it!
Safety: wherever I am, including Ukarumpa
Health and strength: for God's protection and a lot of energy, please
4. MY 93 YEAR OLD MOTHER
Praise that she survived surgery; prayer that she will know that God loves her and I do, too
Pray she will be able to cope during my time in PNG
Pray that weekly conversations by phone will encourage her. Sometimes the phone link from PNG is not the world' best. And, by the way, anyone who thinks I am "determinedly and dangerously independent"--just like my mother--will not receive a prize.
I will be in touch again from Papua New Guinea. Thank you for "going" with me!
I love and appreciate you more than I, even in my verbosity, can express,
June
back to 'welcome' page