Sleep Deprived...

As I write this, there’s about a dozen young men and women enjoying the pool here in our compound, which happens to be right in front of our unit. (That's our unit in the background on the left side) They are having a great time, laughing and joking around. Yeah, so what’s the big deal, you ask? Normally we do find joy in other people's happiness! But when it’s alcohol and drug induced, and may deprive us of our sleep tonight, it’s a different story.

For the past year or so, the house behind us has served as a party house, meaning that almost every weekend and sometimes during the week there’s partying going on—all night long. We have been kept up or awakened at all hours to the sound of laughter, loud music, and sadly, a few times the sound of a woman sobbing or once a couple was arguing right outside our bedroom window. With only about 20 feet between the back of our house and theirs, and louvers instead of windows, there is little hope of blocking out the noise. Although we do try—with two fans and the air conditioner. At least the sound is a little muffled. Or on the nights when it’s really bad we crawl into bed with Jonathan whose room is at the front of the house and away from the noise.

It’s obvious that they have no concern or consideration for how they may be disturbing others. And it’s very frustrating because we have no recourse to try and deal with the situation. The man who rents the unit is a friend of our landlord and an influential man in the rather small community of Lae, so we know it would be futile for us to say anything. The crazy thing is that this man seems to seldom be here--he just houses his 20 year old girlfriend here while he lives with his wife in a nearby village. He comes and goes, and in the meantime, she parties with whomever she can find. Yes, sometimes we’re very frustrated with their selfishness and immaturity. But at the same time, we see how lost every one of them is, and how they try desperately to find happiness in drugs and drinking. We know how empty their lives really are. We see the lack of peace in their eyes, and on the nights we’ve heard the young girlfriend sobbing, we’ve heard her deep despair. If only they would know the incredible, inexplainable joy of knowing Jesus Christ! And that their thirst could be quenched forever by Him! Lately we’ve been praying specifically for more opportunities to reach out to them with the love of Christ, but I have to admit, it’s difficult when all you want to do is let them know how much sleep you’ve lost because of them! And even though we’re missionaries (who are supposed to have this down pat by now, right?!...Not!), we still struggle with taking that bold step in coming right out and witnessing to them. Could you please join us in praying for them? And pray for us to, that we may get past our own frustrations and be bold in taking every opportunity to show them love and acceptance, and to tell them of a Saviour whose love is so deep and so rich that He is able to cover all their sins and set them free, if only they believe in Him!