One month since departure

Here it is, May 26th one month from when we boarded our first flight for Papua New Guinea.  Don't ask me how long it feels because I wouldn't know what to tell you.

What we can tell you is that we are enjoying PNG and are feeling blessed by God's call on our lives. Todd has been working at the Industrial yard mainly getting a forklift up and going. He was able to go with some of the other constuction guys into Lae this past week. He was being shown where to buy what.  I think that he enjoyed the overnight outing, especially eating out at a restaurant (a novelty here.)

Andrew lost his first tooth here in PNG. He put the tooth under his pillow when he went to sleep and when he woke up there was a 2 kina bill under his pillow. That's worth $1 US money.  This past Thursday he celebrated his 7th Birthday. He had cupcakes at school and mommy made him apple pie for dinner (his favorite.)  He enjoyed Skyping with his class from Cornerstone in Paradise on his birthday morning.  He is enjoying his class, classmates and teachers.  His last day of school is June 8th. They will have a 5 week break before starting 2nd grade.

Connor enjoys going to preschool on Tuesday and Friday mornings. He likes being able to walk to school with Andrew and some of the other children from next door. I pick him up at noon both of those days.  He enjoys swinging on our neighbor's swing and jumping on the other neighbor's trampoline.  The girls from the neighborhood are enjoying his company.

I started work here last week. I work in the Member Care department.  Member Care helps with organizing visiting Pastoral teams and counselors, assisting families during transitions, teaching classes for physical, emotional and spiritual health and doing practical things for family when called upon.  The coordinator is in the states on furlough and other members of the team will also be returning soon while others leave on furlough.  I have been going to work on the days that Connor has preschool.  I am learning about the job, meeting people and figuring out how things work here.

I will be more diligent to keep this blog up to date. Things are settling in as we learn where things are, who to talk to about what, and not get shocked by the prices at the store.  We find that the people here are lovely, the air is clean and fresh, the view is beautiful and we have been here long enough to barely hear the roosters when they crow at 4am.

Thinking of you all.  We love you.
Todd, Susan, Andrew and Connor

$100 from 100%

Greetings from windy Monterey Peninsula. We are enjoying a few days of camping here with my dad and step-mom.

We are so excited to announce that we (actually you) have almost met our goal.

We are only $100 in monthly pledges away from being at 100%.

$100 for 100% YEAHHHHHHHH!!!!

Our goal is still to be at 100% by Easter Sunday.

Please let us know personally if you feel led to partner with us.

Blessings on each of you on this special Easter week.

Trusting in Him,

Todd, Susan, Andrew & Connor

We are still waiting to hear from the Embassy for our visa approvals. Our plan is to buy airplane tickets once the visas arrive. We expect to leave for PNG before the end of April.

Note, Our Special Going Away/Sending Party is April 15th from 4-6pm at First Baptist CHurch of Paradise.

Up-to-the-Minute Grand Finale Update

Greetings to all,

So, I knew that I needed to send an update today, but there wasn't anything new to add.

I decided that I would just send the update and let people know that there hadn't been any new partners added to our team.

But..... a few minutes ago we received a call about a new partner.

The Lord is gracious and takes care of all our needs.

Praise the Lord, we are at only needing $250 in monthly pledges.

7 days until Easter to reach our goal.

Trusting in Him,
Todd, Susan, Andrew & Connor

Keeping You Up-To-Date...The Grand Finale Update

We are preparing for a trip but we don't know when we're leaving. We don't know if our visas will be here in 2 days or 4 weeks. We won't be able to buy our tickets until our visas come but we want to be ready when they get here.
As of today, we need $290 in monthly pledges to be at 100%.

We are so thankful for the encouragement that we have received from so many of you.

We are grateful to God for His provisions everyday.

9 days left to meet our goal

Today was Andrew's last day at Cornerstone Christian School.  We are so thankful to the teachers who have taught Andrew so much and have given him so much love.

The Grand Finale Update #1

Our numbers are changing. One of our partners has increased their giving.

We now need only $436 per month.

We are asking each of you to prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner.

We are confident that God will supply all our needs.

Here is todays reading from the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

"I am a God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers.

Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources. Abundances is at the very heart of who I AM. Come to Me in joyful expectation of receiving all you need- and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on My beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you."

Thank you for your ongoing prayer support.

Love,

Todd, Susan, Andrew & Connor

The Grand Finale

Our visa paperwork has been submitted. We have started packing our bags. Our goodbye party date has been set.
SO, WHAT's THE HOLDUP?
...Our partnership team is not complete.

As of today, we still need pledges in the amount of $486 per month to be at 100% and cleared to leave for Papua New Guinea.

Has God called you to partner with us but you haven't responded yet?

Is God calling you now?

Ask God to show you how you can partner with us.

Remember that monthly pledges of any amount go a long ways to support us and Bible Translation.

Our goal is to have our partnership team completed by Easter Sunday, April 8th.

To include you in our progress we will be sending frequent updates.

Please let us know personally if you have made a decision to partner with us so that we can all stay up-to-date.

Please remember to be in prayer for us during this exciting but slightly overwhelming time.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Trusting In Him,

Todd, Susan, Andrew & Connor