Growth and Ongoing Plans!

Baptism
Last week, we had the proud opportunity as parents, to see our
first-born follow our Lord in believer's baptism! Chris did the honors
before dozens of missionary families here on center, as well as a dozen
or so national by-standers who were at the river. As they were standing
in the water, Chris asked Jael questions about why she was there. It
was sweet music to hear her answer clearly that she was there "because I
believe Jesus died for my sins, and I want everyone here to know that I
believe that, and I want to obey him." Is there anything sweeter than
watching your child's faith become their personal own? Pray for her as
she continues to grow in that faith. Pray for wisdom for us as we
continue to train and direct not only her young life, but the lives of
her brothers as well.

Container
On a fun note, we had Christmas in MAY!!! Some items that we had
purchased last summer and fall, as well as the Christmas presents that
grandparents and aunts and uncles had sent, that were shipped by
container, FINALLY arrived here, safe and sound! It's a small thing, in
the grand scheme of things, but it was a blessing none the less, and it
was exciting to unpack our crate, and be able to put those things to use
at last. Included in this crate were an assortment of power tools (that
Chris has already put to good use), a kitchen table (which replaces a
rather rickety one we had been borrowing), various other equipment along
with goodies from the family.

Upcoming Leadership Conference
At the end of the month, Chris has been asked to teach at another
leadership conference. National church leaders from around the region
will be meeting, and as one of the teachers, Chris will be teaching on
"Principles of Church Growth". Pray for him as he prepares. He really
enjoys this unique opportunity for ministry that has come his way, and
the people seem to enjoy hearing from him.

Summer Changes
Summer break is just around the corner. Hard to believe! Baruch
will be finished with Kindergarten, and ready to enter 1st grade. Jael
will finish with 3rd and be preparing for 4th. Titus will just enjoy
having his siblings around to play with all day again! The ICT
department where Chris works will be saying good bye to a key member and
his family, as they finish their associate term here and go home to
Australia. A new family will be joining the team at the end of the
summer (Lord willing) or early fall. And Angie will be IN school (her
first online course starts a week from Monday). Changes in routine are
at times refreshing, but always somewhat stressful. We're looking
forward to things slowing down a bit during the summer months, and doing
some things together as a family.

Thank you for standing with us,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

Wrapping up, starting out, and other happenings

Bible Study

    Chris and Aaron have finished what we would call Phase 1 teaching with the national store workers!!  Phase 1 goes chronologically from Creation to the Cross, systematically laying a foundation of who God is, His attributes, who man is, his problem of sin, and God's faithfulness in his promise to send a Deliverer.  It was a bit of a mixed group to start with...some were quite familiar with this teaching, some had heard bits and pieces out of context, and some hadn't heard any of it at all.  Going through these lessons again, we are reminded of how important it is to understand the culture we are communicating to as we saw some struggle with concepts that were different than ones that the people in Mibu struggled with.  Some of the struggles were similar in many regards.  Nevertheless, through patience, and effective communication, but especially through the grace of God, at the end of the lessons, Chris feels that everyone who participated has a good, clear understanding of what the message of the gospel is.  Ongoing time with them, and maintaining the relationship that has been established will be how we see if they are personally choosing to put their trust IN that message.  While the teaching time is officially over, the time for discipleship has only begun.  Please be praying for those who attended this Bible study, that this message will continue to come through their mind, and that they will think and meditate on it, and ultimately place their trust in the finished work that the Deliverer did for them on the cross.

Effective Communication

    This last weekend, Chris had the privilege of sharing at a leadership workshop for national Christian leaders.  Specifically, he was asked to share about effective means of communication.  These Christian leaders want to be effective in their sharing of the message of the gospel as they go out on outreaches and take the opportunities that come their way in every day life.  Over 3 different sessions, Chris shared on the effectiveness of humor, illustrations, and non-verbal communication (like posture, fidgeting, turning your back to the crowd, and projecting your voice).  It was very special when Sunday morning, a young man who has been learning to preach, and is quite knowledgeable in scripture), shared a VERY appropriate illustration at the beginning of his message.  Something he's never done before, and it was rewarding to see how well the congregation received and understood his illustration, and how it tied in with his passage of scripture (and will help them remember the points of his message).

Ongoing Education

    While Jael is back in school almost full-time (Angie keeps her home for an hour in the morning to continue hitting the areas of spelling and reading with extra intensity), mom is looking at going back to school as well.  With as much as she has enjoyed learning about and working with Jael and her learning needs, Angie is thinking it might be worth looking into getting her degree accredited (through transferring credits and completing a degree program at an accredited institution) so that she can continue her training with NILD as well as open doors to work with other people's children, should that opportunity present itself.  We're not sure where this will lead.  But, we've learned more and more about the number of MK's here who also have learning difficulties and are toughing it out with their moms in the tribe.  We're hoping the tools that we have already gained, and hope to gain in the future will be beneficial not only to our own family, but also to other families.  So, please be praying for wisdom and direction as Angie scopes things out and as we work to determine if this is something to pursue now, later, or maybe even not at all.

Birthdays, Birthdays!

    A few weeks ago, Jael celebrated her 10th birthday!!  Yes, we are now in the double digits!  As sobering as it is for us as parents to realize that she is more than half-way through her time with us here at home, we are thrilled with the young woman we see trying to emerge!  God has special plans for her, and it is such a joy to catch these glimpses of who she is becoming.
    In a couple weeks, our youngest will celebrate his 3rd birthday!  Titus is a joy, and keeps us all laughing and on our toes!  Hard to believe our baby is turning 3.  We love seeing how at home he is with our national friends, whether we're at church, or visiting in their homes.  We smile every time we hear him greeting  the many nationals that pass by our house each day with an "apinun".
    A few days after Titus, Chris will also celebrate a birthday!  The Lord has blessed our family with wonderful people, and with good health!

Thank you for your love and prayers!
Because of HIM,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

Picture:  Our three kiddos!

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!

That which is perfect is come!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas is rapidly approaching! 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

That which is perfect is come!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas is rapidly approaching!
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

PGA in PNG!?!?

A Time of Refreshment

    Our annual, regional conference has just finished!  What a wonderful time of reconnecting, refocusing and re-energizing.  For 5 days we got to reconnect with our friends and co-workers here in the Madang region.  Old friendships rekindled and deepened and new ones started.  A team from  Scotland came to minister to us and our children.  As in years past, this year's conference seemed to provide just exactly what was needed!
    Conference is over, but we are still in Madang, enjoying our first break, or vacation, in over a year together as a family!  For two weeks we'll be hanging out, swimming, shopping, snorkeling, fishing, playing games, and relaxing together!  Already it's been great to just sit around the dinner table and ask the kids what they want to do that day, and then just be able to pick-up and go do it!  A very sweet time indeed!

Direction Granted

    We praise the Lord and thank you for all your prayers on our behalf.  We met with our regional leadership Wednesday afternoon, and it seems like we can now see the next step in our ministry here, although the timing remains a little bit fuzzy.
    As people and finances remain to be the two most precious commodities in mission work, the field of PNG has developed a system of assessments in looking at potential tribal works for missionaries to move into.  What is known as PGA (People Group Assessment--sorry, NOT the Professions Golfers Association) involves gathering lots of data and statistics on different tribal groups in any given region and around the country!  Information like population, location, and language vitality are important as well as whether or not any previous organizations have done any work with a given group of people when it comes to strategizing and prioritizing personnel, and looking to allocate church-planting missionaries into new people groups.  The Madang region has asked Chris to set up, and fill in, a database for information on any of the 180+ people groups that are in the Madang region alone.  Then, based on the information there, we can better determine as a region and a field, which areas we'd like to further investigate and eventually place missionary teams!
    We are excited as this ministry seems to be a good fit for Chris's skills and interests.  It will also put us in a position to build relationships and get to know any potential partners.  Once we have partners, we would be free to pursue allocating into a tribal location, but in the mean time, Chris would be able to assist the Madang region in this vital way.
    As we said, timing remains a bit fuzzy.  Provided Jael's school evaluation goes well at Christmas time, we could be moving to Madang to start this new ministry as soon as early spring, although summer-time seems more likely.  The determining factor will be housing.  We are FULL here in Madang (a wonderful problem), and our move here will depend on when housing may open up, as well as the completion of the Bible study that Chris is leading up at Lapilo (which could run into late Jan. or early Feb.).
   

Prayer Points

    Although we see the next step...please don't stop praying for us and our future ministry.  This ministry will hopefully just be a stepping-stone towards getting us into another tribal church planting ministry. Please continue to pray for clear direction and wisdom.  Please pray for Jael's evaluation coming up, that it would be and accurate reflection of where she is.  And please be praying for our future partners...whoever they may be!

Rejoicing in Him,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

Dead fingers & Dried up bones

Truth Impacting Some

    First a bit of reflecting on the most recent Bible Study meeting Chris and fellow missionary Aaron DeRidder have had with the national workers as they've been teaching through Creation to Christ in Pigin.  They have started teaching on the 10 Commandments, a crucial point of understanding in the study.  One of the guys, Remal, upon hearing the commandment "thou shalt have no other gods before me", pondered outloud, "that's just like us!  When we cut our fingers off, or keep some part of an ancestor when they die, and then talk to it and pray to it as if they can help us with something...that's just like worshipping them instead of God".  How true he is!  Another fellow attending the Bible study immediately piped up, "yeah, but Rimal's from the Yagaria tribe!  They do that kind of thing there!  WE don't do that!".  This particular gentleman has made claims to being a Christian, and yet, at a mumu (a food festival of sorts) was overheard by a fellow missionary leading the others in a prayer TO the mumu (to the food) itself!  We praise the LORD for the insight He has given to some (like Remal), and yet are saddened to see the hardness of hearts of some others.  We are saddened, but do not dispair!  Our Lord is powerful, and His Word is sharp and is able to penetrate the hardest of hearts!  Please pray with us for these dear souls!  Pray that as we continue to teach through the 10 Commandments that they will come to understand that the true purpose of them...to show us our sinful and hopeless state...NOT a means to becoming acceptable to God.

Great Opportunities to Share Truth

    I (Angie) have had the opportunity to develop a neat friendship with a local lady named Trixie.  We have shared a neat relationship of give and take and helping each other out with different projects.  In and effort to keep this neat friendship going, I've asked her to teach me how to make bilums (the string bags that EVERY PNG lady knows how to make).  She has claimed to be a Christian, and I'd been praying for an opportunity to find out just where she is (seeing as we've had so many experiences of some claiming to be Christians, but are so confused spiritually).  One evening, she was at our house, and we were working on making bilums, and after conversation seemed to die down, Chris suggested that we put on a documentary DVD.  We've enjoyed doing this kind of things with nationals in the past, allowing them to see other parts of the world (or even outer space in some cases) that they would otherwise not get to see, and help to broaden their world view.  The one we put in happened to be on archeology, and in this particular episode, the archeological team "happened" to dig up an ancient cemetery.  As they were brushing off the bones they had found, and discussing what they could tell about the lives of the people from those bones, Trixie got very tense, and her hands stopped moving as she sat there completely horrified by what she was seeing!!  We really had not anticipated this kind of response at all!!!  In our other conversations about faith and such, we had no reason to believe that she wasn't a Christian, as she had claimed.  But, as we noticed her reaction, and asked her what she was thinking, she said that she was scared for them (the archeologists) because of the spirits of the dead people.  We stopped the DVD, and turned to her and asked her what the Bible had to say about a person's spirit.  "Where does a person's spirit go when they die?"  She answered, "to heaven or to hell".  "Right, so why do we need to be afraid of dead people's spirits?" 
    The PNG culture that Trixie has grown up in is wrought with beliefs and teachings about dead people's spirits.  There is much belief that these spirits hang around indefinitely, and can be manipulated into helping them gain specific knowledge, manipulate nature, or even other people.  Trixie went home so upset by what she had seen that she could not fall asleep, but instead stayed up working until after midnight, at which point she collapsed out of pure exhaustion. 
    She came back to see me the next day and shared all that with me.  She commented about how WE  (the missionaries) were not afraid, and that we knew why we didn't need to be afraid.  She knows that Chris has been teaching this Bible study in Pigin, and as this came up in our conversation, I realized that we may not be here long enough to share this same study with her all the way through.  Then it occurred to us:  THIS is exactly why we have worked on developing relationships with the local churches that we have.  One of the local churches uses this same Bible study on a regular basis.  I mentioned this to Trixie and asked her if she would like to attend this church with us.  She was VERY excited to!! 
    Unfortunately, the day that she was supposed to come with us, she came up sick!  I've not seen much of her at all these last 2 weeks since then.  Please pray that I can get in touch with her again, and that she would still be interested in attending this church where we believe she can get good Biblical teaching that will clear up any confusion she might have.  Also pray that I might have an opportunity to talk with her about the state of her eternal soul...if she is confused in other areas, it is vital that she is clear in that!

Schooling Update

    Well, a month and a half into homeschooling plus Discovery, and all is going well!  I have had the blessing of another Discovery therapist who has sat in on a couple of our sessions now and made some extremely helpful suggestions!  We praise the LORD for her insight, experience and help.  We continue to feel good about how things are progressing.  Jael is due for a re-evaluation this winter during Christmas break (Dec. or Jan.), and we will have more concrete answers as to where she is and just how she is doing then.  In the mean time, all indications are good, and we are enjoying our time learning together.

Help in ICT

    Thank you for praying!  Chris has a new co-worker in ICT.  Norber Huebner and his wife Michaela arrived from Germany just over a week ago!  Already he has been a huge blessing in helping to lighten the work load there.  MORE co-workers are needed in the department, so please keep praying!

Waiting Patterns

    We know we have asked prayer for this before, but we ask yet again for you to pray with us about the future ministry of our family.  As time moves on, we are rapidly approaching the time that may well give us at least some of the answers that we seek.  As that time approaches, and as we start to make decisions that will effect our future, we ask for wisdom and continued clear direction!
    In a couple weeks, we will travel down to Madang for the Madang Regional Conference.  After that, we will have a long over-due break with our family (it's been almost 15 months since we've had a break together as a family away from our support center where we live and work).  We anticipate that we may start to get some direction during that time, and again this winter, with some possible decisions to be made then or shortly after the first of the year.  It's a time of great anticipation, as we've seen this coming, and have looked forward to it as well.  But as with any change that comes, there is both excitement and some fear.  Yet, we know that as we strive to keep our eyes on Him, and our ears tuned to His Word, He will be faithful to lead us right.

I know this email has gone on a bit.  Some exciting things happening here, and we are so privileged to get to be here with a front-row seat!  Serving here on your behalf, it is our joy to share these stories with you!  Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement.

Here because of HIM,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker