Sunday, January 16, 2011

Blessed be the Name of the Lord--proposed update


Unexpected

We brought in the New Year in a way we did not anticipate, nor would have chosen.  Just before Thanksgiving, we learned that Angie was expecting.  An exciting prospect to be sure!  However, with her history of miscarriages, we decided to wait to share our wonderful news.  Then, the week of Christmas, she started to spot, and a week later, she miscarried.  To add to the drama, she also started to hemorrhage again, and we ended up needing another  medivac to get her to Australia where she could get the appropriate health care.  You might remember that we went through something similar back in 2006.  This time, we left the kids here in PNG under the care of some dear and trusted family friends. When we got to Australia, we quickly learned how rough of shape Angie was in.  During the course of her two night stay in the hospital, she received 4 units of blood, and a D&C.  Everything went as well as it could have, and she felt MUCH more like herself when she was released on New Years Day.  We were able to spend the next couple of days resting, and enjoying the pleasures of a first world country again (shopping malls, movie rentals, and eateries).

While it is not something we would have chosen for ourselves, we trust in our ever sovereign and loving God.  We praise Him for his mercy in allowing us to get to care in time.  We praise him for the healing that has and continues to take place both physically and emotionally.  We are thankful for the system of support from friends here at Lapilo as we left our kids here and traveled to another country.  In many ways, I do think that it has put this coming year into perspective for us.  While we have plans for our family and our ministry, we are reminded all over again that HIS plans for us may be different!  While we continue to plan and prepare for whatever this year may hold for us, it's a timely reminder to always hold those plans loosely so that we might be able to receive what is God's BEST for us.

Twists and Turns

Speaking of plans...
As you know, Jael had her annual evaluation and testing during our Christmas break. The other night we met with those that did the testing to discuss the results.  The results were mixed, as we had expected, but not with the results we had wished.  The GOOD news is that she has essentially caught up to her current grade in math!  She's made up about a grade and a half in math since she was last tested!!  She also moved ahead in some writing skills (in her ability to put on paper what she wants to), although her lack of spelling skills does hinder her.  Perhaps most importantly though, her reading skills are still in critical need of improvement.  Even with Angie's specialize training and pushing her in all the right areas, her brain just hasn't responded as we had hoped (though it obviously responded in other areas).  We have discussed different options as to how to focus and redouble our efforts to bring these areas the improvement they need.  While we have discussed specifics too, we are waiting to see how some of these pan out, as they involve a myriad of different people to make it work.  However, we do know that these continued needs of hers will keep us here at Lapilo for the foreseeable future.  So, our plans to move to Madang this summer have been put on hold.  For how long, we don't know.  However, we are preparing our family, and planning on the likelihood of remaining where we are for the remainder of this term.  Our desire remains strong to return to a tribal ministry somewhere, but God has us here for such a time as this.  Who can know or understand all he has in store for us?  We trust and believe that He has only our good in mind, and that He will be faithful to guide our steps as we continue to move forward.

Something Good

Chris's Bible study with the national workers is rapidly coming to an end!  This last week they covered the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  Within this next month they will be presenting the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  Please be praying as we are approaching this critical point in the lessons.  Pray that their hearts and understanding will be opened and that they realize this is not just another story, but provision from almighty God for forgiveness of sins, and blessed communion with him!

Also, this week Chris has started training the first national to work in ICT!!  This process will take a while, but we are excited to see nationals incorporated into the department.  Expats come and go, but the nationals live here!  By getting them involved, we help to ensure consistency in a department where people come and go all the time. 

Blessed Be

Often in the last couple of weeks, as we have gone through our latest trial with the miscarriage, and with our latest change in plans, my mind has gone back again and again to the story of Job.  In particular to his defense against the pressure of his friends, and even his wife to just go ahead and curse God and die!!  His response?  "Shall we take good from the Lord and not trials?"  (Ok, that's MY paraphrase.)  We have been blessed with SO much!  We have NO doubt that we are loved by our Creator God.  Having such an assurance of His love makes taking the trials that DO come our way so much easier to accept.  NOT easy, but easier.  I shudder to think of where we would be without such assurance or such love.  Indeed, our hearts resound with Job's..."Blessed be the Name of the Lord".

One expression of His love for us is all of you!  God has put you all in our lives to partner with us in the plans God has for our family and our ministry here in PNG.  You have been a never-ending blessing to us!  As the Lord leads and directs us through a whole new set of twists and turns that will comprise this year of 2011, THANK YOU for your partnership of prayers and love.

In His hand,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

Pictures:
Baruch's new smile!  He's losing teeth, our big boy!  Love his gape toothed smile!
Jael's schoolroom has been our kitchen table these last few months.  I've so enjoyed our time together!
Titus continues to grow too...one of his favorite pass-times now is to climb the small orange tree in our back yard.  He can get himself 3-4 feet off the ground!