An 8-Year-Old in the House!

We recently celebrated Jono's 8th birthday! 

His friends joined us at a local hotel for a pool party.

 Getting right into blowing out those candles!

The kids trying desperately to pull Ian down!

Caleb, chillin' in the pool.

Caleb and Jakin--the pink life-jacket boys!

The gang!

What a fun time we had!

We're so thankful to God for our first-born---may he walk with the Lord all of his days! 

Update on Biwat

Thank you for your prayers and your emails of support!

Here's a brief update on the situation in Biwat Settlement. About 90 people slept at our church on Saturday night (mostly women and children). Many of them returned to their homes in the settlement on Sunday, although a small group of them are still staying at the church. There has not been any further fighting, but the situation is uncertain and tense for them. It's especially difficult for them to sleep at night, not knowing if and when the fighting will begin again. Many of the men are keeping watch for as long as they can.

The tribe who had their houses burnt apparently had a 25-seater busload of people from their village arrive. They are armed and ready to fight...if necessary.

We continue to pray for true reconciliation and peace for the people there! What the community really needs is godly leaders who are filled with the peace and wisdom of Jesus Christ. Then they can ensure that the ongoing fighting between the tribal groups is properly addressed. Many of the residents are carrying anger, hurt and deep resentment from years past--these feelings are just below the surface and bubble over very quickly. And in many ways, it's very understandable. How hard it is to forgive and be reconciled to your neighbours when they have burned your home down; or, seriously injured your daughter by slashing her with a knife; or worse, killed your son?

Only when you know the power of Christ`s forgiveness in your own life are you able to travel the difficult but blessed road of true reconciliation!

Biwat Settlement

A couple hours ago, Jono came running into the house yelling, "Mom, mom, Biwat's on fire!". And sure enough as I ran outside and looked across the road to where the Biwat Settlement is, I could see the billows of black smoke rising up into the sky.

There are 3 main tribal groups living in the Biwat Settlement and because of a murder, two of them have been fighting on and off the past couple weeks. Over the past 5 years or so that we've been involved in this settlement, we have definitely witnessed the people there facing much unrest and uncertainty because of similar situations. This time has been equally unsettling, and the people have not been able to even sleep soundly at night, never knowing when the fighting would begin again. And this time, the weapons were not only bushknives and sticks, but also guns. More than once, the people had to flee their homes for their safety, only to also have many belongings and food stolen while they were finding safety elsewhere. As is also very common, to take revenge houses have been set on fire. And that is what happened today. The majority of our church people come from the tribe that is not directly involved in the fighting, but they still had to flee their homes today again, not knowing how far the fires would spread. They live pretty closely together in there.

Ian and Tim just went to drive a large group of them over to the church to sleep there for the night. They do not know what will happen to their homes while they are away. A very difficult situation for them. But at least they will be safe.

Please pray for these displaced families, but also that the Lord will bring His peace---lasting peace---into the Biwat Community through the power of His Word and Spirit.

Thank you, as always, for your prayers!

A Question for Fellow Bakers

I recently acquired a bread machine. A friend had two and decided to give one to me! A lovely, generous gift. It's been fun experimenting with different recipes for bread, rolls, cheese twists, and pizza dough, even some with spelt flour for Ian and me (since we are both wheat-intolerant). Our kids still enjoy their sandwiches at lunch, so for them I've been searching for a true wholemeal (or wholewheat, for the Canadians:)) bread recipe. Most of the recipes out there, even the one that came with the machine, call for half white flour. That's not wholemeal, is it??

So I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has found a good recipe that is 100% wholewheat, or at least as close as we can get?

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Thank you again to those who sent me recipes and tips. Through you all, I discovered that it is possible to have a moist, light loaf of bread that is 100% whole wheat!

And even more important, the kids like it!

(Apologies for the terrible picture quality

and my son's table manners, but you get the idea!!)

That Time of Year Again

This past week, an exciting thing happened just across the Owen Stanley mountain range that separates Lae from Port Moresby. Another academic year began at the Reformed Churches Bible College!

God made it possible for us to send two new students from Lae--Keith and Adam. Here they are on the morning of their departure, nervous and excited about leaving Lae to begin their studies at the RCBC!

Ian spoke to them the other night on the phone and they were brimming over with thankfulness and joy at being at the College. And we understand why--as a young man living in the settlements of Lae, it's not easy to stand up for your faith. As is the case worldwide, there's pressure to fit in, to join the partying, to live for yourself instead of living for the Lord. But at the College, they are away from these pressures and have the opportunity to delve into the Word everyday with other young Christians. Of course, college life has its challenges too, but we thank God that these young men have the opportunity to be there to strengthen and increase their faith and knowledge of Christ and His Word. Please pray for them, and also the other young men, their friends and brothers, that stayed behind in the settlements.

This is Annie and Jerry, with their daughters, Christina and baby Agnes. (Some of you may remember that baby Agnes had a rough start to life when she had a bad fall at birth, but thankfully she seems to be ok. ) This will be their fourth year at the college as Jerry continues his studies in the Pastoral Program.

Another family also returned for their fourth year--Joel and Gami, along with their children Vanessa and Robert. Joel is also in the Pastoral Program. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of them since they left a couple weeks earlier than these other students. They are also very thankful that they could go back and continue their studies.

This is another family that also lives at the RCBC---Nawae and Daiva, Ralema and Andrias. Nawae and Daiva have been at the College since it opened its doors in 2007! As part of Nawae's Pastoral Program, they came to Lae for a 4-week internship. They were a blessing to our church community as he preached, and together they lead a Marriage Course, Youth Bible Studies, and supported the church members. I think many hope that they will be back one day on a more permanent basis... but we will have to wait and see what the Lord has planned!

Your prayers for all the students and staff at the Bible College are always needed!