Living half way around the world hasn't removed us from the hustle and
bustle of Christmas! This coming week we have a couple all afternoon
rehearsals for the elementary school Christmas Concert that Angie will
be playing for, with the performance on Friday night. Saturday is the
computer department's Christmas party, and next week is the last of
school before Christmas is finally HERE!!! Our family LOVES this time
of year as we remember the birth of a tiny baby boy who's life was
destined to change the course of history around the world! Our
Christmas decorations still feel out of place without the snow to go
with it in the background, but the white lights on the tree, and the
Christmas music playing from our iPod helps. Just tonight, the kids
broke out in "Jingle Bells" around the dinner table, and we had a riot
as Titus tried to sing along as well ("Jingle bells, jingle bells,
jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells...HEY...jingle bells....).
Chris's Bible study continues to move ahead. They have moved from the
Old Testament, past the Christmas story, and are now teaching in the
life of Christ, just recently on the story of Nicodemus. While some of
the participants seem to be truly soaking in the truths they are
hearing, we remain uncertain of where others are at. A few weeks ago
there was meeting RIGHT across the street from us where a
self-proclaimed "prophet" came to speak. As the day approached and
preparations were made, there was a LOT of curiosity and speculation as
to what this man might have to say. The day before the meeting, my work
girl (who has also been attending this Bible study) asked for time off
the next day so she could attend. She said she just wanted to see what
it was all about. While I feared for what she might hear, I couldn't
tell her "no". So I gave her the time off. That afternoon was Chris's
Bible study, and when she came back from that, she was VERY passionate
about what the Lord had taught her. I'm not even sure what the lesson
was on that day, but she came back proclaiming that she was no longer
interested in attending this meeting across the street. She said, "the
time for the prophets is finished! There was a time for them and God
used them greatly, but NOW we have ALL of the Bible...ALL of God's word
to us. A man who calls himself a prophet from God is lying...the time
for that is past". I was moved to tears to hear her profess all of
this. She ended up caving to social pressure to attend the following
morning though, but sat off to the side and just listened and observed.
It was gratifying to hear that some others from the Chris's Bible study
were also there, and along with others who know the truth of God's word
they were listening closely and holding everything that was said up
against scripture...not taking for granted what the man said was truth,
but comparing to their source of truth to determine it accordingly!
There has also been a big movement lately among the national churches to
promote the "Planim Post" teaching. This is the Pigin version of the
chronological teaching that we use in the tribes. It starts in Genesis
and builds a foundation of WHO God is and who man is, covering promises
and the characteristics of God and main themes from the Old Testament
and moving into the New Testament to show how these are all fulfilled in
Christ. National churches are taking it upon themselves to break out of
their geographical circles and go into neighboring areas to promote this
teaching. As a result, many new areas are requesting these national
churches to send teachers to present the whole of the teaching to
them. God is doing a mighty work, and it is most thrilling to us to
see Him using now third and fourth generations of national believers to
do it! Much work remains to be done though, in the isolated areas where
the folks don't speak as much Pigin, or it's much harder for outsiders
to get to, be they nationals or expats. There is the ever present need
of MORE LABORERS for the harvest!
And it's not just tribal missionaries that are needed either! While
Chris and the other IT guys in the computer department scramble to
continue to serve as efficiently as possible the hundreds of
missionaries and departments here on the field, we have also been
informed of the URGENT need for more teachers at our MK school.
Particularly in the High School, teachers are needed for the upcoming
2011-2012 school year, as many teachers are going on furlough. With the
end of the year looming, and the start of a new year upon us, perhaps
the Lord might lay it upon your heart to consider serving for a year or
two in some support ministry overseas. Teachers and computer nerds
aren't the only things needed! Business administrators, accountants,
maintenance, engineers, nurses...the list goes on and on. The need is
great, and God uses people like you and me to fill those needs and
further His Kingdom here on earth. (Go to
http://www.ntm.org/go/go_results.php?country=Papua+New+Guinea to see a
complete list of career needs in PNG.)
We ask you to pray for Jael as she will be evaluated Dec. 20-21. Pray
that she will be alert and that she will be able to recall the things
she knows.
We pray you have a wonderful CHRISTmas Holiday, as we remember the
reason we have to be joyful...God became man, and dwelt among us. We
beheld His glory...full of grace and truth!
Because of Him,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker
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