Where We've Been and Where We're Going....

Being a Pal in Pal

 

Back in June, Chris was invited to help some friends build their house in the Pal (pronounced Paul) tribe.  This trip took place mid-September.  Chris, and a handful of other guys, went in for 10 days, and following a work team ahead of them, were able to see both houses for the new team enclosed, plumbed and wired!  While it was very exciting to be back in the bush helping our friends so they can start their tribal ministry, he was reminded just what “roughing” it means!  Conditions were hard, sleeping in the midst of the construction site, they collected rain water for showers, when there was rain, otherwise the closest water source was about a mile away!  When they returned, they all looked lean, tired and sore!  But what a privilege to help in that way!

 

Madang Conference

 

I and the kids ended up meeting Chris in Madang after his work trip.  We hung out there for a couple days before attending the Madang Region Annual Conference.  Conference is the highlight of the year, as we get to see so many friends all at one time!  It was so exciting to hear what was happening in each of the tribal works.  Many had very exciting reports of rapid and consistant church growth and maturity.  Some had reports of persecution of believers with some standing strong and some slipping and falling down.  Some shared honestly about how difficult it is with just a small handful of people who are faithful, much persecution, and even since their return back into the tribe, slimmer numbers yet.  BUT GOD is working mightily all over our region, and each of the works gave clear testimony of seeing His hand at work.  Isn’t it great that we can see the effects of Him working, even if we don’t know what the end result will be?  GREAT time of fellowship…so glad we went!

 

Looking Ahead

 

As the school year continues, we continue to see progress with Jael.  We had a bit of a set back at the beginning of the year perhaps due to her transition into the combined 2nd-3^rd grade.  We’ve worked at making more adjustments, both at school and at home, and are confident that we’ll be seeing her progress well again with the start of this next school term.  In looking ahead, we have a couple matters of prayer we’d like you to pray with us about.  The first and foremost is for wisdom.  The special education program available at the school here (Discovery), offers a training course.  It’s a post-graduate class offered yes, in the states, but also in the Philippines.  It has been suggested that it would be beneficial for me to take this course, if I can.  It’s two weeks in length, and sometime this spring.  Needless to say, this will be an added expense, which is the second thing we would ask you to pray with us in.  Amazingly enough, it seems that I would qualify for taking this course,  which will allow me to better meet the needs of our daughter wherever the Lord brings us next.  We are yet unsure how everything will play out…she will be re-evaluated sometime in the coming months, and that will give us a clearer picture of where she’s at, and how to plan from there.  We find ourselves thankful to be in such a place right now where help is available not only for her, but also for me, as I seek to be as well equipped as I can as we continuing in growing and training (and Lord willing eventually resume homeschooling) this wonderful gift we call Jael.  Some time this month, Chris is possibly looking at a trip to the capital city of Port Moresby in order to gain certification in some technical services to strengthen our work permit renewal application

 

In AWE of HIM,

Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker