Learning, learning, learning...

Learning to Teach

Angie's trip to Manila seems suddenly upon us. In about 6 weeks,
she will be returning to Manila, Philippines, to receive the 2nd level
of training as an educational therapist with NILD. We have been so
encouraged with the results of this educational therapy with Jael the
last couple of years, and we are excited for Angie to learn even new
techniques in targeting the specific deficit areas with Jael to spur on
even further growth. We feel a bit like we are walking a wire as we
wait for the funds to slowly trickle in. Please pray that all the
needed funds are in place at the right time.
We have also reached a new era in parenting...adolescence (and all
the accompanying emotions)! So far, this has dramatically changed the
atmosphere of working on school related things with Jael. Please pray
for wisdom for us as we wade into these new, deeper waters together.
As we move along and learn more in this area of special education,
and how each of our children specifically learn, we are growing in
confidence that when the time comes for us to possibly resume a tribal
church-planting ministry, we will be able to do so without sacrificing
our kids educational needs.

Learning to Learn
We recently received the results of Jael's annual testing, and the
results were encouraging! Slow but steady progress continues to be the
trend! We discovered that her strengths have become even stronger, and
even her areas of deficit improved a bit. We know where the problem
areas are and what we need to keep working at, and we know what areas we
can pull from to help compensate. While progress is slow, the projected
outcome is very hopeful that she will be where we want her to be by the
time she starts high school. Yes, we have a ways to go yet, but are so
encouraged with the progress we are seeing, and for the more focused
picture we have of her overall profile. Please pray for strength and
courage for Jael and Angie to keep hammering away at these weak areas as
it is HARD work. We are thankful the school year is almost over, and
that we can lighten her academic load for a bit (though we will continue
to work on some areas throughout the summer).
Baruch is also doing some better in the classroom. We have
discovered a few things that really seem to help improve his ability to
pay attention. However, the fact remains that he is an imaginative 7
year old boy who exhibits ADHD characteristics...some days are just long.
Titus, now 4, is learning what it means to share, and be a good
friend. This is hard to do with the most prized of his possessions.
Yet, he is a friendly boy, so we are hopeful that a little training and
discipline will resolve the matter.

Learning to Lean

Over the years that we have served here at Lapilo, we have shared
bits and pieces about some of the people we rub elbows with on a regular
basis. Our "work meri" or house girl, is one of these individuals. We
have had the extreme privilege to minister to her spiritually: Chris
through the evangelistic teaching at the store a few years ago, and
Angie through her almost daily interaction with her. We have seen her
grow and mature in amazing and sobering ways over the years, though she
is perhaps right now facing the greatest trial of her faith to date.
Recently, this friend received the shocking news that her husband
wanted to divorce her. No reason has been communicated to her and it
seems that his family is as surprised by this news as she and her family
is. His and her families met to try and work through some issues with
them, and a date for court has been set for this coming Thursday.
In PNG a girl only really has the rights that her father, and later
her husband, grants her, for as long as he grants them. In situations
of divorce, a man owns everything, and women have been forced out of
their homes, leaving their children (and hearts) behind. We have heard
rumors that this may be the case here too. As I have prayed with my
friend this week, she has gone from understandable worry and anxiety
over what the future may have in store for her and her three young
children, to a calm confidence of acceptance and peace that God is in
control and will work His will.
Please pray for her this week. I know from experience that leaving
things in God's hands is a moment by moment decision, and with the court
date looming, the temptation to take those things back to fret over them
is going to grow exponentially. Pray for God's will to be done, and for
her husband to be gracious with her. Please pray that testimony of her
response to her situation will create opportunities in her community to
share this faith that offers hope and peace that reaches beyond one's
circumstances or understanding. She may be one person, but one person
can cause a ripple effect that is stretched far and wide. PRAY she
remains strong in her faith!

I know that this update has gone long. We thank you in advance for
prayers for our friend and her situation, for wisdom in educating and
training our children, and for his continued provision for Angie's trip
to Manila. God is so good!

Because of Him,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

Trips, birthdays, and more...

Work Trip
Chris recently had the opportunity to go help build a house in a
tribal location for a team that is gaining a new family. For 10 days he
worked with others to frame and roof their house. He also had the
opportunity to fellowship with the handful of believers from that
village and be encouraged with the work the Lord is accomplishing there.
Chris continues to work on some IT training material in his "free"
time. The demands of a limited personnel in the IT department means he
doesn't get much time during the day to work on projects like this, so
much of his evenings after the kids are in bed is spent working on this.
Already, different ones from the community have asked for, and
received, copies of this training program, incomplete though it is. His
goal is to have it finished by summer.

Family News
This weekend we are celebrating 11 years with Jael! She is super
excited about the huge slumber party that is planned, while mom and dad
brace themselves for a night of little sleep and giggly girls. ;) And
with Titus just a month away from turning 4, we are reminded of how
quickly the time is passing.
We again ask for prayer for wisdom in parenting our children.
Recently, we've made some significant changes and adjustments to our
daily lives in an attempt to address some ADD symptoms we are seeing in
Baruch. Pray that these changes would prove effective, that our minds
will be open to further change if needed (difficult as it may be), and
that we will always know the right thing to do in regards to not only
Baruch, but Jael and Titus as well. As our children grow, and their
lives unfold, we marvel at the complexities, strengths and gifts that we
see in each of our kids. Pray that we will know how to mold the
weaknesses that are there into strengths, and that we will continually
look to God, and teach them that they can also look to God for direction.

Trip to Manila
Angie continues to make plans for a trip to Manila this summer for
her next level of training as an educational therapist, as details
slowly become available. We now have the solid dates of June 4 - 15 for
her class, and have been able to look at airline tickets. "Sticker
shock" puts it mildly when you look at flying to and from PNG.
Originally she found tickets online for $1,800! But, by going through a
local travel agent, we have found tickets for a more reasonable $1,200.
It still feels like an awful lot for a 6 hour plane ride, but we are
thankful nonetheless. So, tickets are found, though not yet paid for.
Next will be lodging...which we can nail down as soon as they decide
where they will hold the training! Then there will be course fees, and
the required work and paperwork to hand in beforehand. Again, we ask
you to pray for provision for this trip, not just financially, but
logistically as well.

Car Repairs
I know it sounds funny to ask for prayer for a car repair...but we
are! Several weeks ago now, our clutch completely burned out on it as
we were driving it into town. Thankfully, it happened in a "flat" spot
in the road, and we were able to safely pull well out of the way of
traffic as we waited for friends to come and tow us back home. Here is
one case where the notorious "wan tok" system is actually working in our
favor though. (The "wan tok" system refers to the PNG system of
identifying folks from the same language group, clans and families, who
are obligated to help each other out in times of need. Usually,
national folks are very eager to "claim" ex-patriots as "wan toks",
since they are often much better off, and are able to help...and we have
had to be careful that we not be taken advantage of through this system,
but at the same time be able to use it to build trusting relationships.)
Chris has a relationship with a friend in town who has started his
own computer shop. Chris has helped him and his business out by making
old computer equipment available to him, as well as referring quite a
bit of business his way. This guy rents a corner of a auto-mechanic
shop/garage from his father, and has mediated on our behalf (unprovoked)
to have his brothers help us out with repairs on our car! They have
made two trips to our house now, to try and disconnect the clutch, so
that we can see whether or not the part can be attained here in PNG, or
if we need to special order it from Japan. However, they've now
determined that the engine compartment is too compact, they cannot reach
it, and the engine needs to be lifted out. So, it will need to be towed
into town after all (an expense we were all working to avoid). Chris's
friend continues to work to negotiate discounted rates for us, which we
appreciate immensely (labor fees for this type of work is usually very
high). Anyways, we are grateful for the relationships this is allowing
for us to further develop, and we ask for prayer for wisdom as this
moves forward. In the mean time, we are sorely missing the use of our
car...especially the freedom it affords us to fellowship and worship
with our national brothers and sisters.

Thank you to each one of you who cares and prays for our ministry here.
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

God is Good---ALL the time

January seems to invoke a time of reflection looking back, and
anticipation looking ahead. There is great benefit in both! Looking
back shows us the faithfulness of God, His perfect direction, His
unerring love. Looking ahead hopefully drives us to our knees seeking
His wisdom, and ongoing direction, as well as cause us to plan and be
good stewards of the resources made available to us.

Looking Back

Jan 1, 2011--We rang in the New Year with a release from the hospital
after my latest miscarriage. Not how we would have chosen to bring in
that New Year, but God has a plan, and we find our rest and peace in that.

Feb, 2011--The IT department that Chris works in had meetings with other
mission and IT organizations, hosted at SIL, to share ideas. Jael turns 10.

March, 2011--Angie was excepted into Liberty University's Online
Master's Program for Education/Special Education. Her first class
starts in May. Titus turns 3.

April, 2011--Jael follows Christ in obedience, and is baptized!

May, 2011--End of the school year! Jael moves on to fourth grade, and
Baruch into FIRST grade!!

June, 2011--One family from ICT returns home to Australia having
completed their associate term. This brings the department from an
almost ideal 5 (6 is ideal), down to 4. Chris and Angie also celebrate
15 years of marriage!!!

July, 2011--Much needed family vacation to Lae for 2 weeks! On the
heels of that, Angie and Jael take a trip to Madang on a kind of
"Passport to Purity" trip. Jael is growing up so fast! NTM hosts an IT
convention here.

August, 2011--A new school year begins. Chris and Angie are offered and
accept a new part-time ministry overseeing the Ministry Library (a
resource center of helps for translation and church-planters) and the
citizen Guest House. 10 YEARS of service in PNG!

September, 2011--Grandparents make a surprise visit just in time for the
first school break! And, we all get to go to the Madang Conference.
Baruch turns 7.

October, 2011--We receive approval to be a Prometrics Testing Center.
Chris worked hard to make this happen, and now we can test for a myriad
of different certifications. We are hoping that this will become yet
another tool in reaching out to the community, and helping our own
missionaries receive and maintain professional certifications that allow
them to remain here in country working their ministries effectively and
efficiently.

November, 2011--Another member of the IT department returns home,
bringing the staff from 4 to 3 (that's 50% of the ideal). This
individual will return for a few months after the new year, but then
return home as he waits to see what the Lord would have him do. No
other IT personnel are currently on the horizon for another 18 to 24 months.

December, 2011--Angie and another fellow missionary lady start training
to become Test Center Administrators for the new Prometrics Testing
center that NTM now has on center here.

A Look Ahead

In many ways, 2012 should look much like 2011. It is likely that our
ministries will not change greatly, though we continue to move ahead.
This summer (May), Angie would like to take another trip to the
Philippines to continue her training in educational therapy. This will
be vital in continuing to help meet Jael's educational needs in the
years ahead! Please be praying that the Lord would raise up the needed
funds for such a trip again. Angie continues to work towards her
Master's degree, one class at a time. Chris is also looking to add some
IT certifications this coming year that will allow him to help fill in
the gaps the limited number of personnel leaves.

We covet your prayers in the area of parenting. It is amazing how kids
can have the same two parents and be so uniquely and vastly different!
Each one requires a unique approach, and we look to the Lord for wisdom.
A new dimension is added as our eldest approaches the teen years.
Technically, we still have a few years, but practically, we feel like we
may already be starting them.

We also covet your prayers for wisdom in stewardship. There is SO much
good we wish to do, but are more and more limited by resources. We know
we are not unique in this challenge, and that many at home also face
this dilemma. This also seems to be the pattern, as we come to the end
of a term on the field, that our finances seem to be more and more
tight. The Lord is faithful, and his family generous. Our needs
continue to be met, and our faith is renewed each time they are. Our
plans, however, is where we need the most wisdom. We wish to be
faithful and wise with the resources we have, but also trust the Lord
for the big things that are beyond our control.

The big picture of our family returning to a tribal ministry has not
changed, but the details on the timing are slowly becoming clearer. It
is now fairly obvious that we will remain in our current ministries here
until our next furlough the summer of 2013. Again, Jael's education is
the primary concern right now. We continue to see good progress, but
it's becoming more and more clear that this is a huge and very involved
process and she is going to require more time. At this point, the time
here before we go home, and the time that we are home, we feel will have
us in a more likely place to resume a tribal ministry somewhere upon our
return to PNG in the summer 2014.

Your prayers are priceless! Thank you for blessing us through your prayers!
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

The Gospel And A Game

What will be in your bilum?

A few weeks ago, Chris had an extraordinary opportunity to play a cultural game while accompanying our local
Church - (Bena Bridge) on an outreach at the invitation from a village a 2hr hike from Okapa in the highlands of PNG.  The game involved filling string bags (called bilum bags) with various surprise times of value such as food, money, matches, soap, knives etc.  Then during the game, individuals are paired up and each pair of friends are introduced with singing and dancing.  Then an exchange of bilums takes place which then gives way to more celebrating.  By the end of the ceremony, Chris had two live chickens and 4 large bags of garden produce and a hand-carved bamboo fork.   Along with this game, Chris and Pastor Joel Kemaya were invited to speak to the crowds.  This provided a wonderful opportunity to announce an upcoming outreach that Bena Bridge church would be starting in the area by sending teachers in a few months time.  Once the teachers begin, they plan to teach scripture Chronologically for the first time in the Okapa area!

Welcome Ol Bubu (Grandparents) & Uncle Herman!

Returning home from school for the last day of the first school term, Baruch and Jael got a shocking surprise.  Waiting for them in the living room was Grandpa & Grandma Tuinstra along with dear friends Tim & Laurel Marsh.  The kids were surprised to say the least!  Now on their 3rd trip to Papua New Guinea, our family enjoyed nearly three weeks with them including traveling to the Madang conference together.  Missionary Tim Marsh has worked with children for over 30 years and came armed with his puppets and illustrative aids.  While with us, one of the highlights of their visit was to introduce Tim to Bena Bridge church who had invited all the children of the community to come and be entertained as well as hear God's word.  Men, women and children in the audience, all of whom had never seen such antics, had tear filled eyes as they laughed so hard.  With Chris translating, in addition to puppets, Tim used a saxophone as an illustration, sharing that just as a saxaphone player needs instruction to be able to play well, so too, people need instruction from God's Word.  The meeting ended in hilarity with Pastor Joel Kemaya getting an unexpected kiss from "Uncle Herman (one of Tim's michevious puppets) as well as an invitation for the community to inquire more about God's message by approaching anyone of the members of Bena Bridge church.

"So glad you could come!"

It's a yearly tradition, every year all NTM missionaries who are part of the Madang region attend a conference to reconnect, pray for one another, share & report future plans as well as have some fun.  This year due to finances as a family, we weren't sure we were going to be able to attend.  However thanks to some designated gifts, the Lord provided the opportunity for which we are very grateful.  Our spirits were recharged and once again challenged to return to a tribal, church-planting ministry.   And what a fun blessing to share this experience with grandparents, and watch our favorite group of MKs be blessed by "Uncle" Tim Marsh and his ministry!  It's always nice to be refreshed and re-challenged.

Master Angie

Speaking of challenge...Angie has jumped into her studies towards her Master's degree once again (after taking time off for her parent's visit and other stuff).  To refresh any memories:  Angie has received the first level of training as an educational therapist through NILD.  This training has been priceless in equipping her to meet Jael's special educational needs!  We see wonderful evidence that the therapy is working, and believe it would be best to continue receiving this training.  Specifically this is important because we still believe the Lord will eventually be leading us back into another church-planting ministry.  We believe that it is vital that Angie is equipped to meet Jael's ongoing needs (and any other of our kids who may need intervention in their education).  NILD is a wonderful organization whose program is so beautifully meeting our needs.  Yet, it's a very academic organization, and in order for Angie to receive any further training through them, she needs to have an accredited degree.  To make a long story short, the Lord opened the door for her to pursue her Masters degree through Liberty University's Online University.  As a result of actively pursuing a Masters degree in special education, she is now eligible to further her training with NILD.  She is also gaining the added benefit of broadening her understanding in this world of education, which is only going to aid her as she seeks to oversee our kids' education.

Pictures:
1.  "Uncle" Tim and Uncle Herman with Chris at the Bena Bridge meeting.
2.  A small glimpse of the crowd that had packed into the church (and out the door) in order to see them!

Thank you so much for your support! 
Because of Him,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

--  --  As Unto Him (Col 3:17)  Chris Walker - NTM PNG ICT Helpdesk ict@ntm.org.pg (675)531-4560 (Telikom) (675)7178-7115 (Digicel)

The Gospel And A Game

What will be in your bilum?

A few weeks ago, Chris had an extraordinary opportunity to play a cultural game while accompanying our local
Church - (Bena Bridge) on an outreach at the invitation from a village a 2hr hike from Okapa in the highlands of PNG.  The game involved filling string bags (called bilum bags) with various surprise times of value such as food, money, matches, soap, knives etc.  Then during the game, individuals are paired up and each pair of friends are introduced with singing and dancing.  Then an exchange of bilums takes place which then gives way to more celebrating.  By the end of the ceremony, Chris had two live chickens and 4 large bags of garden produce and a hand-carved bamboo fork.   Along with this game, Chris and Pastor Joel Kemaya were invited to speak to the crowds.  This provided a wonderful opportunity to announce an upcoming outreach that Bena Bridge church would be starting in the area by sending teachers in a few months time.  Once the teachers begin, they plan to teach scripture Chronologically for the first time in the Okapa area!

Welcome Ol Bubu (Grandparents) & Uncle Herman!

Returning home from school for the last day of the first school term, Baruch and Jael got a shocking surprise.  Waiting for them in the living room was Grandpa & Grandma Tuinstra along with dear friends Tim & Laurel Marsh.  The kids were surprised to say the least!  Now on their 3rd trip to Papua New Guinea, our family enjoyed nearly three weeks with them including traveling to the Madang conference together.  Missionary Tim Marsh has worked with children for over 30 years and came armed with his puppets and illustrative aids.  While with us, one of the highlights of their visit was to introduce Tim to Bena Bridge church who had invited all the children of the community to come and be entertained as well as hear God's word.  Men, women and children in the audience, all of whom had never seen such antics, had tear filled eyes as they laughed so hard.  With Chris translating, in addition to puppets, Tim used a saxophone as an illustration, sharing that just as a saxaphone player needs instruction to be able to play well, so too, people need instruction from God's Word.  The meeting ended in hilarity with Pastor Joel Kemaya getting an unexpected kiss from "Uncle Herman (one of Tim's michevious puppets) as well as an invitation for the community to inquire more about God's message by approaching anyone of the members of Bena Bridge church.

"So glad you could come!"

It's a yearly tradition, every year all NTM missionaries who are part of the Madang region attend a conference to reconnect, pray for one another, share & report future plans as well as have some fun.  This year due to finances as a family, we weren't sure we were going to be able to attend.  However thanks to some designated gifts, the Lord provided the opportunity for which we are very grateful.  Our spirits were recharged and once again challenged to return to a tribal, church-planting ministry.   And what a fun blessing to share this experience with grandparents, and watch our favorite group of MKs be blessed by "Uncle" Tim Marsh and his ministry!  It's always nice to be refreshed and re-challenged.

Master Angie

Speaking of challenge...Angie has jumped into her studies towards her Master's degree once again (after taking time off for her parent's visit and other stuff).  To refresh any memories:  Angie has received the first level of training as an educational therapist through NILD.  This training has been priceless in equipping her to meet Jael's special educational needs!  We see wonderful evidence that the therapy is working, and believe it would be best to continue receiving this training.  Specifically this is important because we still believe the Lord will eventually be leading us back into another church-planting ministry.  We believe that it is vital that Angie is equipped to meet Jael's ongoing needs (and any other of our kids who may need intervention in their education).  NILD is a wonderful organization whose program is so beautifully meeting our needs.  Yet, it's a very academic organization, and in order for Angie to receive any further training through them, she needs to have an accredited degree.  To make a long story short, the Lord opened the door for her to pursue her Masters degree through Liberty University's Online University.  As a result of actively pursuing a Masters degree in special education, she is now eligible to further her training with NILD.  She is also gaining the added benefit of broadening her understanding in this world of education, which is only going to aid her as she seeks to oversee our kids' education.

Pictures:
1.  "Uncle" Tim and Uncle Herman with Chris at the Bena Bridge meeting.
2.  A small glimpse of the crowd that had packed into the church (and out the door) in order to see them!

Thank you so much for your support! 
Because of Him,
Chris, Angie, Jael, Baruch and Titus Walker

--  --  As Unto Him (Col 3:17)  Chris Walker - NTM PNG ICT Helpdesk ict@ntm.org.pg (675)531-4560 (Telikom) (675)7178-7115 (Digicel)

Re: Opportunities abound!

New Opportunities

    We have been presented with an exciting opportunity in ministry with overseeing what we call the "Concom" building.  "Concom" stands for Consultant Committee.  This building houses a library of various helps for our church planting missionaries.  With helps on everything from Bible translation, Bible lesson development, and even culture and language learning that folks can check out and borrow, it is a vital resource to our church planting teams.  It also provides a quiet place for missionaries to perform translation and Bible lesson checks with consultants and their language helpers.
    Which brings us to the other side of this opportunity (and building).  The other side of this library is a national guest house.  A place for nationals to stay when they come out to help check for comprehension during these translation and lesson checks.  We have used these facilities many times during our time in Mibu, and we are excited to be able to be a blessing to those who would use it now.
    We especially ask for wisdom in this ministry, as it's one that has kind of slipped through the cracks this last year, with no one really overseeing it.  As we look to spruce up, clean up, pick up, and perhaps even update a bit, we seek to be good stewards of what limited resources are available.

Techie Opportunities

    This last week, Chris and the ICT department had the opportunity to organize and host a tech conference here at Lapilo.  Present were representatives from about half a dozen different missions as well as the department of NICTA from Port Moresby to answer government regulatory questions.  Ideas were discussed on how to better cooperate between missions, sharing information, cross-training and improve overall Information services to our missionaries.  It was well attended...33 in all!  Angie had the opportunity to cook for the lot of them.  6 large pizzas, breadsticks and a huge salad didn't last long!

Past Opportunities

    Our last update shared how Chris was about to participate in a leadership conference for some national pastors and church leaders.  Over the course of 4 days and 5 speaking opportunities, Chris had the privilege of teaching on church history.  It was a whirlwind tour through time starting in the book of Acts all the way to present time.  The participants of the conference thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson as many of them for the first time heard how the gospel spread throughout the world and on to Papua New Guinea.  For the first time, they saw where they fit into the grand sheme of God's design for all to know His truth.

Family News

    Our last update also shared how Angie was preparing to take the first of many grad courses to work towards her Masters in Education.  She took her first class over the summer break, and did quite well!  Her final grade of 97% has given her confidence that this is a course that she can finish (as time and resources allow).  She has scheduled to start her next class for later this fall and allow herself time to help the kids settle into their new school year as well as polish off a number of projects that have accumulated over the summer!
    The kids start school tomorrow.  Hard to believe the summer is already over for us here, but tomorrow Jael starts the 4th grade, and Baruch the 1st grade.  They are pretty excited, and so is their mom, to see all that they will be learning in this coming year!  Pray that they will both be open to new things, and good recipients of the teaching they will receive.
    Our family also had the opportunity to take a vacation together this summer.  We spent 2 weeks in the city of Lae, at our guest house there.  It was a wonderful time away with the family, and we came back much refreshed and ready for another stretch of service!

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers.  We couldn't be here and do what we're doing without them!
Because of Him,
Chris and Angie Walker

Re: Opportunities abound!

New Opportunities

    We have been presented with an exciting opportunity in ministry with overseeing what we call the "Concom" building.  "Concom" stands for Consultant Committee.  This building houses a library of various helps for our church planting missionaries.  With helps on everything from Bible translation, Bible lesson development, and even culture and language learning that folks can check out and borrow, it is a vital resource to our church planting teams.  It also provides a quiet place for missionaries to perform translation and Bible lesson checks with consultants and their language helpers.
    Which brings us to the other side of this opportunity (and building).  The other side of this library is a national guest house.  A place for nationals to stay when they come out to help check for comprehension during these translation and lesson checks.  We have used these facilities many times during our time in Mibu, and we are excited to be able to be a blessing to those who would use it now.
    We especially ask for wisdom in this ministry, as it's one that has kind of slipped through the cracks this last year, with no one really overseeing it.  As we look to spruce up, clean up, pick up, and perhaps even update a bit, we seek to be good stewards of what limited resources are available.

Techie Opportunities

    This last week, Chris and the ICT department had the opportunity to organize and host a tech conference here at Lapilo.  Present were representatives from about half a dozen different missions as well as the department of NICTA from Port Moresby to answer government regulatory questions.  Ideas were discussed on how to better cooperate between missions, sharing information, cross-training and improve overall Information services to our missionaries.  It was well attended...33 in all!  Angie had the opportunity to cook for the lot of them.  6 large pizzas, breadsticks and a huge salad didn't last long!

Past Opportunities

    Our last update shared how Chris was about to participate in a leadership conference for some national pastors and church leaders.  Over the course of 4 days and 5 speaking opportunities, Chris had the privilege of teaching on church history.  It was a whirlwind tour through time starting in the book of Acts all the way to present time.  The participants of the conference thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson as many of them for the first time heard how the gospel spread throughout the world and on to Papua New Guinea.  For the first time, they saw where they fit into the grand sheme of God's design for all to know His truth.

Family News

    Our last update also shared how Angie was preparing to take the first of many grad courses to work towards her Masters in Education.  She took her first class over the summer break, and did quite well!  Her final grade of 97% has given her confidence that this is a course that she can finish (as time and resources allow).  She has scheduled to start her next class for later this fall and allow herself time to help the kids settle into their new school year as well as polish off a number of projects that have accumulated over the summer!
    The kids start school tomorrow.  Hard to believe the summer is already over for us here, but tomorrow Jael starts the 4th grade, and Baruch the 1st grade.  They are pretty excited, and so is their mom, to see all that they will be learning in this coming year!  Pray that they will both be open to new things, and good recipients of the teaching they will receive.
    Our family also had the opportunity to take a vacation together this summer.  We spent 2 weeks in the city of Lae, at our guest house there.  It was a wonderful time away with the family, and we came back much refreshed and ready for another stretch of service!

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers.  We couldn't be here and do what we're doing without them!
Because of Him,
Chris and Angie Walker