Getting into Routine

Much has happened since I last blogged. Not the least of which was a trip to Australia and back--actually to Cairns, which is an hour and a half flight from Port Moresby. It is a beautiful place and when we go there we stay at Tree Tops, which is a missionary guesthouse. This time around we enjoyed the company of Andrew and Natalie and their girls, as well as Nat's parents, the Byl's, the Terpstra's and the rest of the group from the home church in Mareeba, which is up into the Tablelands outside of Cairns.

We often notice when we get off the plane in Australia, that we feel an immediate sense of relief at no longer carrying the cultural stresses that we experience in PNG. Things like safety issues and always being stared at--the stresses we don't even realize we're feeling until we leave here. It was good to have a break from these and blend into the crowds (until we opened our mouths, that is, then everyone thinks we're Americans. Close...) It was a relaxing holiday for us all--lots of swimming and reading, although it also involved some work for Ian as he preached in the Mareeba church.

Since the last time we were in Cairns, Jonathan has been looking forward to a go-kart ride and saving his 'kina' for this. He loved it!
The church group very thoughtfully organized a bbq at the 'lagoon' for Ian and Andrew's birthdays.

Even Caleb enjoyed cooling off in the pool!

Although it is always good to get away, it is even better to come home again! We are settling back into regular routine as summer holidays are over.

Caleb has entered a new phase in his little life--the world of solid food! So far, he loves pureed pears, apples and sweet potato, carrot and corn!

The new school year has also started. Thanks to all who have been praying for Jonathan. He has done well his first week, even though there were a couple tearful goodbyes. His teacher told us yesterday that we should be proud of him for his good manners and obedience in the classroom. We praise God for that! Karlyn also started going to a preschool program just a couple mornings a week. She came home full of stories--we learned more from her first time there than we did in the whole year that Jonathan went to that program!! (Is that generally the case with girls?!)

Brother and sister, all ready for school!

Regarding church life,the regular programs such as Bible Study, literacy program, fellowship nights, membership class, and Sunday school are also starting up again. We do pray for the Lord's blessing over all of these.

This month our church also began a special 'outreach program' to encourage us all in the calling we've received to be witnesses to those around us. The program is fairly straightforward. Everyone was encouraged to think of people in their life who are not redeemed and for the month of February, pray for them everyday. For the month of March, we are to continue praying for them, but also be there to help them and share the love of Christ with them in tangible ways and also take any opportunity to share the truths of Scripture. And then we are to invite them to join us at our church for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This is the first time we have tried a program such as this and again, we are so dependent on the Lord's blessing and guidance!

5 months old today!

Caleb-bo-baleb, as he is affectionately called by his siblings, is 5 months old today! We praise God for blessing our lives through him!

5 months old, but still much catching up to do before he's as big as his 5-year-old brother!
Caleb and his little friend Tiana. She is 2 days older than him.

He now loves to play in his exersaucer.

And jump in the jolly jumper!

He gets a lot of attention and is held by one and all (mostly because he's white, but also because he's so cute, we think!!)

King Caleb, on his throne, staying cool!

Prayer for 2010

Happy New Year, everyone! We wish you the Lord's blessings for 2010!

At the start of another year of blogging, we thank all of you who faithfully check this blog. It's encouraging to know people care and we do appreciate the comments...(but no pressure to those who prefer not to comment!).

As our thoughts turn to this new year and the people we will continue to work with here in Lae, we thought we would share some prayer requests with you.

Settlement Life
Our hearts are burdened for the families living in the settlements where we work. Life there is not easy and it seems that the men, in particular, often fall prey to alcohol and/or marijuana and usually end up beating their wives while under the influence. Since there is no such thing as privacy in the settlements, we are told matter-of-factly the truth about the abuse and violence that goes on. The stories go like this: a woman is not in church one Sunday and we're told it's because her husband beat her the night before. A young woman comes to church with her arm in a sling and again it is the result of abuse from her husband. And just yesterday, we were saddened to hear that a young woman from our church is now 'married' to a man who was drunk and angry the other night and cut another woman's foot with a machete (almost all of the young men seem to carry one on them). It looks like this woman's foot will now have to be amputated. And the young woman from our church is in danger of retaliation from this injured woman's family. We are sad for both of these young women and pray for them. Our prayer is also that in this coming year, the Lord will turn these men from alcohol and drugs and bring them into relationship with Him!

Please thank God with us for the faithful men in our church. Men who love and respect their wives and children. We pray that they will stay strong in the Lord and continue to be godly leaders in their families and in the church.

Please also pray for the women--wives, mothers, daughters--who endure abuse and disrespect. Please pray that by the power of the Gospel, this abuse will stop. We pray that these women will grasp how deep the Father's love for them is and that they will be strengthened and encouraged by the Word.

Please pray for PNG youth, the young men and women who often lack godly role models in their lives and are easily enticed by a life of crime, alcoholism, etc.

Please also pray for the little children. These children are vulnerable in every way--emotionally as they often witness abuse or experience it themselves, but also physically as we see many who are sick, have infected sores, or are mal-nourished. May the Good Shepherd hold these little lambs in His arms and protect them.

Our family
We look back on 2009 and of course we are incredibly thankful that the Lord guided us back here to PNG. We're thankful for the improvements to Ian's health that enabled us to return. And yet our prayer is still for complete healing for him, if that's the Lord's will. Ian is able to do his work, and even do it with much joy and passion, but if he pushes himself too hard, he is quickly reminded that his body is still weak.

Jonathan
At the end of the month, our firstborn will begin full-time schooling at The International School of Lae. This is a big step for him (and for us too?!), and knowing our son and his previous school experiences, it may not be an easy transition for him. We pray that the Lord will fill him with confidence and courage, and that he will enjoy this learning experience!

Thank you for your prayers! May the Lord's Name be praised as we lift up these prayers and petitions, with thanksgiving, to His throne.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7

We would also like to know how we can be specifically praying for you. Just send us an email!

With love from Lae

We wish you a blessed Christmas!
May our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace bring you much joy this Christmas!
He is the reason for the season!

Love,
Ian and Nadia
Jonathan, Karlyn and Caleb

Port Moresby

Much to the delight of these two, our weekend in Moresby was a rainy one!

Here are the 3 students who graduated with a Certifcate in Reformed Studies from the Reformed Churches Bible College when we were in Port Moresby at the end of November. This certificate program is a 2 year course and offers such subjects as 'Through the Word'--a survey of the OT and NT, Children's Ministries, Worship, Doctrines and Creeds, Scripture Memorization, etc. It is open to anyone in the churches who would like to be better equipped to serve their local church, whether that be simply as a member, or an elder, or a Sunday school teacher, etc. The Bible College also offers a Diploma Program for those men who feel called to become pastors. There are two men currently in the program, and at least one or two who will enter the program in the next couple years.

Following the graduation weekend, while I was in Brisbane with Karlyn and Caleb, Ian and Jonathan, Wayne and kids, as well as the Versteeg's went to a nearby beach for an afternoon. Here they are eating rolled up pancakes, lovingly made by Auntie Rita.

On the Sunday, Wayne his daughter Sjaan, Ian and Jonathan went to a not so nearby village over some hills and through some mud, where Wayne preached (one of Ian's sermons, so maybe Ian could hear what his sermons 'really' sound like:)). Here is Jonathan and Sjaan and some of the children there. The last time we were in Beregoro was exactly 5 years ago, when we were visiting PNG for the first time. Jonathan was just 19 months old and we have a photo of him with the people very similar to this one. I should've found it and put it up too, but hey, then this blog wouldn't have gotten posted for another week or two probably!

Caleb and Madlyn, one of the students at the Bible College.