Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you all so
much for your prayers on our behalf. A lot has happened since our last
update. For one thing, we have traveled to another country, a kind of
home away from home.
There were many
things to get in order before leaving PNG. Amy was busy preparing our
house and packing our belongings for our departure to Australia. We are
so thankful for another ABWE missionary family who is house
sitting for us. This gives us great peace of mind that our home and
animals, Buddy and Max, will be well taken care of.
Dan was busy
making preparations for the building team from Johnston Chapel to come in
August. The building project at Hosanna Baptist will include a pastor’s
house and a new church building. Please pray that God would provide vacation
time and funds for those with a desire to come.
Unfortunately,
there is no Lowes or Home Depot in PNG. Lumber is very expensive, so we
decided to cut down the trees and mill them ourselves. Dan now has
experience as a lumberjack. He still has both arms
and legs, all his fingers, and his life. Mission accomplished! A
total of 7 trees, ranging from 80 to 120 feet, have been cut down and are ready
for milling upon our return.
Please pray for
our various ministries in our absence. The teachers and students at GBBC
are preparing for midterms. Hosanna Baptist is continuing to teach
through practical Christian living in the organization process. Before
our departure, we were able to complete the last doctrine for the church
doctrinal statement. Dan will now type and format the statement in the
computer while we are in Australia. Please pray that the Holy Spirit
would continue to work in the hearts of those who need to take the important
step of baptism. Please pray for Rachel Prigge
as well, as she cares for the health needs of GBBC
students.
We arrived in
Australia on the 7th of February. Thank you for your prayers for our
medical visas as it was not easy to obtain them. To make a long story
short, Dan had to make a special flight to Port Moresby, PNG, to complete the
paperwork. He was able to travel home the next day with our passports and
medical visas in hand. It has been wonderful to experience the things we
take for granted in America again. You simply cannot beat a juicy quarter
pounder with cheese. We have enjoyed many things in Cairns, Australia
including a zoo, beaches, playgrounds, fast food, shopping, and a wonderful
local church. Amy has visited her doctor and the hospital, and she is
very pleased. She is due on March 24th. Her sister, Jenny, will be
arriving on March 15th to help us take care of Kate and Claire while Amy is in
the hospital. If you would like to hear more of what is happening in our
lives week to week, please be sure to visit the blog on our new website: thyng.abwe.org.
We love you, and
truly appreciate your continued prayers, encouragement, and support.
Love, Dan, Amy,
Tyler, Kate & Claire
P.S. We
celebrated Tyler’s sixth birthday on February 10th. We made him a
birthday cake, watched a kid’s movie as a family, and sent him a balloon.
We love you so much Ty.
Additional Prayer
Requests: Please pray for…
1.
The organization
of Hosanna Baptist Church.
2.
The great need
for additional missionaries with ABWE in PNG (Kerowagi
in particular).
3.
The recruitment
of members and finances for the Johnston Chapel building team in August.
4.
Daily strength
for life without Tyler.
5.
Our individual
relationships with Jesus Christ.
6.
Continued good
health for Amy and the baby.
7.
Rachel Prigge as she continues to care for GBBC students during
Amy’s absence.
8.
Supplies needed
for medical shipment from US. Please contact us or visit our website if
you are interested in helping!
9.
Term 1 midterms at GBBC.
10.New student adjustment to college life.
11.National staff house: only $7,000 remaining.