A Quick update

April 12th, 2024

Hello all, so sorry I’ve been missing in action here. We were in the village all of January into February and then we came to the states for a missions conference the last week of Feb. We never do things like this so it was such a blessing to be with like minded Christians in fellowship with one another. We leave to travel back to PNG on Wed the 17th.

When we left PNG the last week of Feb. I felt like my “cup” was so dry. There are always ups and downs in the missionary life but not having a home church and a time of fellowship with other believers wears on you. When you are on the frontlines in missions you know that you are giving this up in order to bring them the GOOD NEWS but when the opportunity came up that we could go to the US for a few weeks, I was just so thankful for Gods knowing where we were at and helping us. GOD IS GOOD and we praise Him for this trip. We feel refreshed and rejuvenated to go back to the people of Moka and continue on with the ministry there.

While here in the states we got to spend time with Grandparents, Family, Church and friends.

Since we were in Moka last, the “mayor”, what’s apped us while he was in one of the towns. It was a first for us to see them on video! He told us that one of the Moka kids was killed by a crocodile. That’s so upsetting for me since that same kid I just helped back in January with Malaria. When these tragic things happen they always get to me and I get worried. Please pray for Mark and Sara it was their son who died.

These pictures Elijah and Bella tool in January and February

Prayer points:

-Travel back to Papua New Guinea (17th-19th)

-Travel back to Moka on the 7th of May

-For the HOLY SPIRIT to come and that the Lord will save His people

-AIRSTRIP- To be opened up in August Lord willing

-To finish school with the kids while in the village

- Caleb’s language learning to continue on (he has progressed so much!) and preaching the Word!
- Safety and Health of our family

It has been too long, lots to write about.

I can’t believe it’s Dec 17th 2023 already. One year ago today Bella and I were on our medivac to Australia to get her broken arm fixed! Praise GOD for all he has done for us this past year and healed Bellas arm so it’s good as new. Last year I was overwhelmed and upset over our time in AU and that we were missing all our Christmas traditions of baking cookies and watching Christmas movies together. This year I am thankful and grateful that I am able to do them with the family!

I wanted to give an update on David and his family. Last time I wrote about him he was extremely interested in what the Bible had to say as well as was coming to every meeting. He genuinely listened to what was preached. Caleb and I decided to fast and pray for him one weekend because we had never had anyone so interested in the Bible before. We prayed for him and that the LORD would save him as well as another man Harry. The next day after we had done that we saw David outside waiting to talk with Caleb. Caleb went out and was gone for about an hour. When he came back in the news was not good. David said that he would not be coming to the meetings anymore because he had work to do to build his house etc… Honestly we were heart broken we had just pleaded with God for his salvation and now he was saying he wasn’t even going to come to hear the word anymore. Caleb asked him if there was a problem or if a demon spoke to him. He denied it but obviously something happened. We were extremely discouraged but God knows what he is doing and we trust that HIS will, will be done!

How can I love a National as Christ loves us? Is a question I ask myself a lot lately. In my sinful actions, I get upset or frustrated with things they say or do towards us and then become very angry with them. What kind of missionary am I if I’m angry with the people I’m supposed to be showing Christ too! I can’t really explain what life is like living in a village, you have to live it to truly understand. There are days that I’m ready to take on the world and help in every way I can and other days I want to hide in the house and not really try to problem solve their life problems. Being in the village as a foreigner you are looked too for all things. They expect us to help in everything, with fixing things for them, whether it is gluing a water tank, putting tape on a book or giving them things like a piece of paper to write on. All these are small insignificant things and we are happy to help! It’s when they come demanding things from you like fuel, to use the satellite phone, or money that starts to make me upset. We always help in the medical needs and community issues, but if it comes to a family issue or a problem between two individuals we are not involved. There is a small court here in our village and all disputes are handled there, such as… married people committing adultery, who stole something from someone’s garden, or a threat from another person. Loyalty is not something they care about and being that no one seems to be saved they will use and abuse a situation even if that means that they lost the friendship. Culturally that’s not how it works in America and a friendship means something to you, many go through great lengths to not have an upset or tiff in there friendship.

BUT GOD, yes GOD did this same thing right around this time 2000 years ago. GOD sent His son JESUS, to earth to so that he would be the propitiation for our sins, the last sacrifice! Jesus came because he loves us so much. Think of what sinners we are and yet he looked past that to literally become the GOD-man, fully GOD yet fully man. As I complain (which is sinful in itself) about my small roll in MOKA and how I’m not cut out for this and this is so hard….I have to humbly repent of my sinful ways and attitude, which not going to lie is hard because pride takes root. I have to remember there is someone much bigger then I in charge of the MOKA people and I need to be the vessel he wants me to be. When Mary was given the task to bore the son of GOD her first question was, Well how can that be since Im a virgin? But the angel goes on to say

“ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy- the Son of God.”- LUKE 1:35

after saying these tings it goes on to speak of Elizabeth and how she will conceive but the point I want to get to is this, verse 37. Here the angel says “For nothing is impossible with God. 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant if the LORD; let it be to me according to your word.” and the angle departed

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! the fact that Mary spoke and said. “Behold” it was if now she was bringing a message, she trusted GOD and knew this is what you want me to do so I am your humble servant. This is what I am taking with me when we go back into Moka in Jan 2024. I am your servant lord, I AM to trust you for nothing is impossible with you and I have to own that and trust that always. Save your people and help me to be the your hands and feet, let me not be troubled with the sinful acts but to pray and speak of you to them.

I challenge you reader as you too have had hardships and might be feeling sorry for yourself, Remember Marys reaction to GOD when she was told she was going to carry the Son of God and how with her humbleness the Lord used her greatly.

this is at our house on the Mission base… MERRY Christmas to you all

I

last post till DEC.

July 30, 2023

I have been yearning for some good American food. You know pizza, hamburger, hotdogs and a milk shake!

We are in the rainy season it’s always a little bit more depressing because of all the rain. When the sun does show its face I’m sure to get everyone outside and catch a few rays because the vitamin “D” will do us all good.

As we continue to teach the people Gods Word, we have had some great conversations about Christ, Christianity and what it means. David and his two sons came to our house for dinner on Wed, we ate on the porch and I made white Chili… I made enough to have left overs, but being they don’t get food with a ton of flavor, the pot was empty by the end of the night. It made my heart glad. David asked questions about baptism, we also brought up that being a follower of Christ would set him apart from all of the people here, he said he wasn’t afraid of that since he is like an outcast already. It made me think of how Jesus was accepted more by the outcasts in the Bible because they had already been rejected, where as the rich man could not give up all he had to follow him.

Please continue to pray for David, that God would save him!

This is DAVID, his brother is in the background, and these are his two sons.

Aug 13

I just finished reading this book (it’s an easy read!) I couldn’t believe how parallel our lives are.

“Poking holes in the Darkness” BY JAKI PARLIER

I highly recommend this book about a missionary woman and her family in PNG durning the 1960-80’s she is an Italian from New Jersey which reminds me of myself!

This book is a great eye opener to those of you who do not live in PNG with the demonic force. Demons are everywhere and know how to capture their people in each culture. Here in PNG it’s all about the spirit world and how their “customs” control them. A while back I wrote a blog about Elsi dealing with a demon and how it really didn’t phase her that it would go into her periodically. This week we heard our village all screaming and shining lights on the river around 8 pm one night… we watched the parade of villagers walk towards the other end of the village. The next day we asked what that was all about and we’re told, this one young guy who always has a spirit with him went to the bush and was doing his work there ( gardening, fishing, chopping wood) when his new wife was upset or annoyed at the spirit so called out it’s name which from what I understand it started to fight the both of them ( makes me think it was wrestling with them) by the time night came they were exhausted and went calling out to the village to help them. They were across the river and what we saw was the village going out to help them get back. I am sure we are missing many parts to this story because they won’t tell it all to us.

What I have learned throughout my years here as well as in the states is that demons gain control by you speaking their names. I never played the ouija board but have heard about it from other people and they would say that the spirit would always spell out its name so then once you called it by name it gained power, I find that extremely similar to this situation here. We need to be aware of the the spirit world. IT DOES EXSIST! Christian, guard yourself from these things and have your armor on!

“For we do on wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over the present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

- Eph 6:12

Please pray with us for these things. We are planning on returning to our village Sept 28,2023

• That the Lord would prevail over the darkness

• Many would come to hear his word preached

• HE WOULD SAVE HIS PEOPLE!

• the airstrip would be finished by the new year

• Health and safety for our family

• that we would have Joy wherever the Lord has us.

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”-JOHN 15:11

Another entry!

July 4th -9th

American holidays far away are always a little hard for me. Knowing family is gathering together for a BBQ or swimming, gets a little depressing. I always try to make the best of the holiday where ever we are so this year I made steaks and a nice meal. We read 4th of July Independence books and listened to patriotic music through out the day. We made the best of it and it turned out to be a nice day.

As we approached the weekend Caleb and I have been praying that many would come to hear the word. My prayer Saturday night was that many from Moka would come with us to go to the village fo Dufa where Caleb would preach Sunday morning. As I walked to the boat, it was pouring rain and cool. I climbed in and noticed no one was coming. I said to Caleb “Do you think anybody is coming?” Caleb said, “Yeah maybe a few.” Then out of no where 37 people piled into the dinghy in the rain. We drove up the river for 20 mins and arrived in Dufa. While there the man who always let us meet under his wind house said we couldn’t anymore. So here we are 37 people from Moka wandering around Dufa to find a place to meet. At first I was really annoyed but thought what kind of missionary am I to be annoyed, I need to be thankful look at what the Lord has done just this morning! I was extremely humbled by HIs grace and how he answered that prayer for many to come. The man who owns the small wind house is unconverted and why would I expect more of him? Anyway it all worked out and we were able to minister to a whole bunch of people. Thankfully God is good and in control of all things.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. -Phil 4:11

Us all meeting under a broken down house in Dufa. Thankfully everyone Is a good sport about it! Elijah, Stephen, his brother Bolgai (in purple) Douglas and Harro (in yellow) all these boys are 14 and 13. They hang with Elijah a lot!

A NEW UPDATE

After we arrived in Moka, we got to work unpacking quickly because everything was somewhat wet (due to the rain.) As we were unpacking we noticed that Jersey was in a “hunting” mode, she had found a rats nest! She chased the first rat into a corner where Caleb speared it with one of our PNG hunting spears. Let me tell you that thing was as big as a guinea pig. As we cleaned up that mess Caleb said, “Well I hope that was the only one,” as he says that she comes running out of the bathroom in pursuit of another one, this time it was a mama rat since she dropped her baby on the floor as she was being chased by Jersey. Jersey killed that one all on her own. No need to worry about rabies for it is not in the country. We threw all three rats outside in the rain, cleaned up everything and continued on unpacking. We have never had rats in this house before and we can’t find where they are coming from! The next morning all three rat bodies were gone meaning a village dog came and ate them.

Apparently there were 4 snake bites in the 6 weeks while we were gone, but praise be to God no one died! One of my biggest prayers is for Gods hand to be upon these people and save them! I truly believe the devil is at work. We carry the light into this darkness. I feel like when we leave the light goes with us and Satan and his demons are at work, for they too fear the light. He does not want these people to hear Gods word.

June 22-29

We are into a routine again, The kids are finishing up grade 5 and 7 now.

We have found some areas of our house that have termites. It’s not uncommon in this area, we are just concerned by all the hard work Caleb has done here that it will fall apart. We are looking into how to help this situation. Thanks to my parents who were able to get us termite stakes and my in-laws who got us the termite spray. I think were good to go!

termites.

We have visited two families these past two weeks on Wednesday nights. We go and share a meal with a family and then Caleb reads to them something that he is working on in translation. It always seems to go over well. We were at Mira’s house this Wednesday and I said to Caleb on our way back that I felt like it was sitting in a friends house. We so enjoyed being with them. They had fresh prawns cooked that Caleb and Bella shared. Elijah is allergic and I don’t do well with them. Mira is always willing to hear the word but still chooses his animistic view. Continue to pray for him and his family. Mira(dad) Morie (1st wife) Molly, Linda, Elizabeth (all of her children). Lokwa ( 2nd wife) Ally, Boi, and Grace( her children)

While we were there our one chickens “Goldie” went missing. So the next morning the kids and I went on the hunt for her in the village, after about a half hour of searching a kid found her with a bunch of other chickens in a tree. He scared them down and they went flapping away. It then took about 20 kids to chase her down! My thought the whole time was, “well this is great we found her to only have a kid diving on top of her and kill her.” She came out ok but screeching from fright! Oh good times.

Last journal entry for a while...

We are leaving for the village again, we probably won’t be back with internet till the Fall. Our 6 weeks out in the town we were able to get everything on the list for our supplies. We even got a small washer machine that will come out on a cargo flight sometime in the future. It will run off of our solar system and help tremendously.

These next three months will be the rainy season, so we pray that the weather will be good on our travel day. We also pray that the Lords will, will be done and He will see fit to save His people.

Journal entry , April 13,2023

This morning Caleb and Elijah left for a trip to go down river to another one of our villages. It is the first time Elijah has gone with Caleb and I have been left alone with Bella in the village. It poured all morning I prayed for them throughout the day . I always get concerned about many things. Bella and I had a very peaceful day. We were able to get a lot of house chores done. Washing mold, cleaning windows, vacuuming, and changing sheets. I also tried to make it a fun day for her by watching movies and eating popcorn. We had pizza for dinner and she wanted Jell-O for dessert. I’m so thankful that I can talk to my in-laws on the short-wave radio. When they’re in the village we can cell call each other through our radios. Just nice not feeling so alone. Around 5 o’clock one of the younger men came up to tell me that his brother was in excruciating pain in his stomach since 2pm. When I got down to the house it seems like he was in a lot of pain and his skin had went more like a yellow color. I was concerned that it could’ve been appendicitis but as I checked he said the pain was on the side and up into his chest going by his heart. I asked him what he had eaten and he said some kind of fruit in the afternoon my only thought that I could help him at that time was to give him activated charcoal. I gave him a healthy dose of activated charcoal in a cup of water he drank it down and in about 20 minutes later he seemed to be OK.

I really don’t know what caused the pain or what was the true problem but I totally recommend activated charcoal for all stomach issues we live for it in our house. We continued through the night with our handy dandy protector, Jersey and prayed for Elijah and Caleb to have a safe return home tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear what they were able to accomplish and if anyone came to hear Gods word.

April 14th

The boys arrived home around noon, much earlier then expected. Elijah said he had a blast and brought a little bag full of “treasures” he found from the old lumber camp that left in 2019. Originally they were going to stay with a family from Moka who has a house there, but since it was overgrown from being vacant for a few months the police man said they could stay in the old police barracks. Elijah thought that was epic and enjoyed being with his dad. Caleb was able to preach 2x while there. The first night and then the morning after. He said they started the meeting off with singing which most nationals love. At first there was only like 2 people at the beginning but by the time he got to the preaching there was a crowd of around 40. He preached from Luke 10:21-22 , he was also able to hand out that same passage that he translated so they could read it in their own Language. It was a great visit and we pray that the Lord would use his word to save people.

Bella and I had a great time together and I was very thankful for the one on one time with her.

Acts 9:28

So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

Feeling overwhelmed.

March 18,

Walking through the village this week I have been so heavy hearted on the subject of sin. Living here and being part of a “Community” just makes you very aware of all that goes on. Their sin is very outward and ours (westerners) is very inwards. They will fist fight and fornicate right under your nose, where as in our culture, we murder and lust in our hearts. Everything is always done in secret and hidden while in a village setting everyone knows what everyone is doing.

2 Samuel 22:29 For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.

One of the Moka women was diagnosed with TB in town many months ago. She returned to our village with a very big story of how she lost the medicine she received for it and was pretty much saying she would rather be in her village then seek more help. She looked like she belonged in a concentration camp. I have never seen anyone look the way she looks. I have been asking her husband why no one has taken her to the hospital to get treatment…but compassion for one another lacks among these people. He says he is waiting on a transport. This is bologna they all have transportation, for every family has a canoe and every family has paddled to the town one time or another. The problem is that it is going to be a hard week to row to the hospital. They would rather “wait” for some random boat that might take them to the hospital than take action for the life of another. I was just very upset about this, I too don’t have the transport, nor am able to be the answer to all their problems. Human life is looked at a lot differently than how I see it. I believe that is from decades of no gospel and being at the mercy of Satan. It is a very dark place to be. I was able to radio my in laws (they are in another village in PNG) and talk to them about this feeling. This feeling of defeat from Satan the feeling that they don’t care, the feeling that you can’t help them. They reassured me that they too have dealt with these hardships, explaining not to get discouraged and just keep witnessing to them. As we spoke my mother in law reminded me our our learnings from the nurse course we took when home in the states. She reminded me that AIDS and TB go together, I don’t have an Aids test but all of her symptoms point to that. If she is really dying of AIDS and TB there is nothing more we can do but just visit her and continue to tell her of CHRIST. This is the raw life in the village and darkness has a hold on them. Please continue to partner with us in prayer for this darkness to be lifted, and that the Holy Spirit will enter in and work in the souls of these people.

“FATHER GOD HEAR OUR PRAYER, SAVE YOUR PEOPLE, HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR SIN AND HELP ME TO BE A LIGHT IN THIS AWFUL DARKNESS.” -AMEN

2 posts in one... Feb 21 and "The Struggle is Real"

Feb 21 2023

As we start this week the helicopter came from SIL and we was able to get our cargo in. That was a great encouragement. The pilot is one of our good friends and we know he likes Coca Cola, so I had a cold coke ready for him. He was also able to check up on the airstrip and see the progress of it. It was a great relief to hear that it’s all moving in the right direction. Also he was able to tell the people what they still need to work on , which Caleb has been saying, but it’s better coming from Someone else. Moka has marked Mondays to be community day where anyone who can come will come and work on the airstrip. Caleb and Elijah work as well. We are praying to have this airstrip ( 5 years in the making) opened by Christmas! Please pray for this as well. Ultimately we pray for Gods will to be done. We just know that if we don’t put an end date in site they might lose hope and ambition and it won’t get finished.

The struggle is real.

Loving one another is what Christ called us to do, love thy neighbor as thyself is what he said. And boy this struggle is extremely hard for me here (not all the time) their culture is not mine and I get so annoyed by the way they ask things of me ( totally acceptable in their culture). This week I had a guy with a snake bite and a wild boar bite. Both alive. The snake bite guy I helped with the wrap but couldn’t suction anything for we couldn’t find the holes in the thick skin of his foot. I always tell the people” Do Not cut the bite, with a razor, but I leave and they always do. Their logic is that the “black blood” seeps out and that’s the poison. I have given up on trying to teach them anatomy and simple ways the body works. Altough when it means life or death this makes me extremely annoyed. “why ask for my help” if you don’t listen to it.

The boar bite guy was another story. He is from our village originally but has moved to another village. He came to me to seek help and remembered that I told them to pack stuff with charcoal to make the bleeding stop and to stay clean. He came seeking help, listened and trusted everything I did.

The short story is Nathan was in the bush hunting pig, saw a family of wild pigs and wanted to steal the babies. As he went to do that, the Dad pig which, would have had big tusks came at him to attack him. Many have died from boar attacks before. I guess his adrenaline would have kicked in and he told us that he punched the boar in its mouth. Anyway as he is sitting there with me helping him, I see my kids holding this baby pig. Thankfully the boar did not rip open a main artery in his arm, but it was badly ripped open at the elbow and on his palm.

The struggle I deal with is my own heart and how I care for them. We didn’t come here to westernize them but to tell them the truth of the Living God and that there is a way to be saved from the damnation of Hell!! I need to not look at myself in this situation and feel annoyed. Christ came to serve and not to be served. May I always remember this and catch myself before my sin brings me down the road of bitterness.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31

If you have time YouTube “ Otto Koenig-Pineapple Story” I can relate to everything he says! and that was many many years before we came to PNG.

this is Nathan a few weeks later and he is just fine!

one of the baby pigs, They want them because they feed them and have them as a pet until they are ready to eat them.

Whew, its been a while

So sorry my last entry was all the way back in January but we are in the village a lot more and there is no internet there. I have everything written down “old school “ style and will hopefully be getting you a blog entry twice a week.

As we were out this time. I believe the Lord was teaching me to trust Him more and know that through my weakness the power of Christ may rest upon me. This verse was what got me through. I taped it next to my kitchen window so that I would read it and meditate on it always.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Journal entry for Feb 2- 10

This is our first week back in the village after an 8 week hiccup with Bella’s arm being broken on Dec 16 2022. We had to make an emergency trip to Australia 🇦🇺 to get it fixed, but God was good and was with us the entire time. Unfortunately we went to the Doctor get the cast off on Jan 30 (here in PNG) and the X-ray showed that her arm still needed time to heal. Thankfully the Doctor here at the mission base, cut both sides of the cast and taped it. He did this so we could get back to the village without having to delay anymore. I’ll remove it in two weeks, and work with her on physical therapy movements as well.

As for the day of travel, God was Good! He kept the weather open and a truck was even working so we didn’t have to lug all the stuff the mile or so to the river. Caleb was able to get a guy with a boat and a 60 horse motor and we made it to our home by noon, I think that is the quickest we ever have made it here. While we were away the people of the village continued working on the airstrip which was extremely encouraging to us, for this was the first time they worked while we were away.

We also had a new “meeting” house built by a family here in the village. Our old one broke the month before we went on furlough back in 2021 so it was time to have a new one built. It is the place where Caleb holds meetings and I work on medicine, it now can hold a ton of people. We were able to hold our meetings in it this week.

last part of journal entry Nov21-28

Friday came and a huge amount of people who had been gone out of the village for over two months had come back so we went to greet them at the river. One having a new baby, which I was excited to meet. I was very happy that I could catch up with them on Saturday since I hadn’t seen them for over a year. Saturday afternoon came and we were doing our normal family board game when the whole big family that I hadn’t seen in a while come up to the house. I went out so I could have a good chat with them all. I had printed a lot of the families here pictures of their families that I have taken in the past and put them in small dollar store booklets (they love it). So I was able to hand those out to the few families. As I was talking with all of them the councilman came up saying he needed help right away. Apparently a man was stabbed in his buttocks over four times with a very sharp spear like knife. Now back in May 2022 I was trained through “MMI”, Medical Missionary Intensive. During my training we were taught to tourniquet for “stop the bleed”. Now when anyone comes up telling me that they’ve been cut with a knife my brain automatically goes to the worst. Thankfully I have Caleb who is always saying let’s go evaluate the situation before you jump to conclusions. I left with a whole bunch of medical supplies and went to see the situation. As he walked down to the village there was lots of shouting and arguing over the entire situation, lots of people yelling and screaming all I wanted to do was get to the patient, he was laying down on the muddy ground in a pool of watery blood, all of his blood had congealed and it was very thick clots on the ground. This was a good sign. The knife went into his buttocks about 4 inches hitting the bone. I have a powder that I am able to dump right on top of it to stop the bleed as well as tourniquet his leg up in the groin area.

Now let me give you a little backstory of this man, Jordi is his name and he himself is not a good man. He had hurt his wife numerous times already and just a few weeks ago I have been taking care of her leg where he shot a spear through it. I don’t ever want to wish ill on anyone, But honestly he had to coming to him. I would never deny anyone medical care so controlling the bleeding was the biggest part which we did and started him on a round of antibiotics as well as washing the wounds. He had some cuts on his arms as well, which were just surface wounds. The next day was Sunday and the Family and I were going to a village 10 minutes away. I went and checked on him because they changed him from the very bloody underwear he was in to having a towel on, I was able to change the dressing which looked great except that this new area what bleeding fresh blood. ( They thought I was stupid and nicked, with a razor, the inside of his butt cheek so that I would believe that the dagger went into him all the way and that they could get the criminal in jail for a longer period of time. When I just dismissed the situation and finished up with me wound care I think they are all little annoyed I didn’t take the bait.)

Caleb preached from 1Corinthians 6:9 and we had a good turn out. I was able to talk to the person who stabbed him, he lives in this village. I told him he still needs to turn from sin and understand that only through Christ could he be saved I also told him that they were planning on calling the police and that he would probably going to be going to jail all for his stupidity of what he did. When we came back to our village I went and checked on Jordi, remember he is a criminal and there are many things that he’s done in the past that are very evil, but he’s my captive audience since I have to tend to his rear.
I told him that it’s time to turn away from this life of sim that’s made him so evil I asked him, what good has his sin brought him and to look at where he is now. I also told him is there any other white missionary whose come and cared for him as Caleb and I? I said I gave up my life in America to come and help you for you to understand the Gospel of Christ. I guess I was overwhelmed by this point as I spoke because I mean why would I start to lose it? Literally crying, which is not something they do in front of each other let alone me of another culture… but I was really, really, upset about how they expect me to help them in every way medically and I do the best I can and yet they never want to hear anything that Caleb has to say regarding the Gospel of Christ, not the truth, nor the true and living Word of God. As I broke down I explained to them that I do care for each and everyone of their faces that I do care for their souls and that Jordi was given another chance and that he should totally turn around and change his way. I said to him you’re the one stabbed laying on the ground you could’ve been stabbed in some other place of your body which would’ve killed you but you weren’t you were stabbed in your rear. I told him how I cared for his soul and that I didn’t want him to be in hell. I told him how he needed to turn from his ways of being evil towards others and ask for forgiveness from Christ to repent of his sin and forgiveness from the people he had hurt in the past. I don’t know if anything I said mattered but I did let them see that I’m human to. I explained that I can’t constantly have all this pressure of all of them all the time and they think that I’m not weary and I don’t grow weak. I too need forgiveness, I too am a sinner and have turned from my sin and have been saved. I don’t know what it will be like when we return this week to the village. I PRAY FOR A REVIVAL!

Lord HEAR my prayer!

he was ok here, just in a lot of pain

me checking his vitals and they were great, showing he didn’t have a loss of to much blood

Jordi is in the yellow shirt (before the stabbing)

Caleb preaching.

part 2 of journal entry Nov21-28

This week November 21-28 has been one heck of a week.

I first started off the week excited because of Thanksgiving and that we would be celebrating with Thanksgiving food here in the village.

On Tuesday I already talked about how we’d pray for Dorothy‘s life and that the Lord would spare her. On Thursday, Thanksgiving day we enjoyed a great Thanksgiving with a small chicken, roast sweet potato, corn soufflé, green bean casserole and I made pumpkin pie. That afternoon I was laying down when I was called upon by my friend Geni, she told me that Dorthy’s family came back to tell me that she had died on her way to the hospital. When they brought the dead body back they refused to put it underneath the house that it rightly belong to, where her husband was, instead they disagreed and argued and put her underneath another relatives house. The husband was quite taken back and very upset about this and asked them to bring her to the underneath of his house but they refused to. While we were paying our respects to the dead we were caught in the middle of a huge cross fight with a very long machete. (The husband was extremely angry with his in-laws) Caleb picked up our dog who doesn’t know anything about people fighting and therefore she would’ve tried to bite someone. He and Elijah were within 5 feet of the fighting. Bella and I were on the other side and were pulled by numerous women to be brought around from where the fighting was. About 10mins late after we arrived at our house the husband came up for we believe his arm was broken by a long metal pipe they hit him with. I splinted it with two pieces of wood, wrapped it tight and gave him pain medicine. There’s nothing else we could do here for him. (found out later it was just very badly bruised)

The next day they buried her body. It’s always quite upsetting to me for I saw her alive on Tuesday morning and by Thursday afternoon I saw her dead. The most upsetting part for me is that these people refuse to acknowledge the Gospel and that there is a Christ, that there is a God, and that there is someone who can redeem them of their sins. I constantly ask the Lord why does he have us here? Why does he have me in all this turmoil all the time? Why are these people so evil and they constantly turn from good?

I realize I need to stop asking the LORD “why” and keep trusting in his sovereignty. These are the Hard things of missionary life.

Thanksgiving table 2022

burying Dorothy

part 1 of a big journal entry Nov 21-28

A few months ago, Dorothy, had her fourth baby at one of the best hospitals in our province. There she was told she had a blood clot in her abdomen and would need an operation. Well according to their culture they (husband and wife ) needed to come back to her family to ask if it was ok for her to have this operation. These are the times when I don’t understand things culturally. She went, they said no and she has been living with her family in another village (the one I wrote about Caleb visiting with 5 men from Moka it’s in the blog above.)

Her husband has been telling me about her and apparently it was getting bigger and they were very afraid of the operation so therefore sort of ran away from the situation. Now her mom and dad brought her to me. When I saw her, her stomach was extended as if she was nine months pregnant and I believe the blood clot was leaking into her system for she was in severe pain. ( I’m pretty sure she was dying) I told them I would try to help them the best I could by getting hold of the doctor of the hospital that is closest, to send a dinging in order to help bring her to the hospital. Her pulse was extremely weak her pain was extremely painful she was very pale and a literally had no body fat on her except for such an extended stomach. As I looked at her and evaluated her I could see that her life was pretty close to ending. I prayed for her right there. I asked the Lord to help me with decisions and praying that that doctor would answer the phone. He is a doctor from our language group one of the only people who ever went out and was put into a university, graduated and now is one of the doctors at the hospital about 8 1/2 hours away by motor. The minute I called him the Lord answered my prayer. Quincy is his name, he has my sat phone # on his phone and he greeted me with “Hello Moka.” I spoke to him explaining the situation and he said that one of his boats was in a nearby village about an hour and a half away if we can get her to that boat then they can get her to the hospital tomorrow. This was such an answer to prayer! We sent them off with our 15hrz motor and one of their canoes. I pray that Dorothy’s life will be spared and that her eyes will be open to the gospel. I always pray that the Lord will use me and all the situations he puts me in for good and that they would understand that I have no power but my God does. Praise be to GOD!

(so sorry I have no pictures of her)

This is her oldest son “Felix” (he died while we were on furlough from malaria) the youngest is Caleb

this is her husband

journal entry, November 7, 2022

We’ve been in here a month. There has not been rain for a few weeks now so our water tank is getting low. We have resorted to doing our laundry in a small spring in someone’s garden nearby. The amount of flies because of the non-rainy season is millions. Even though I have screens and a screen on my front door so many flies come in per day. They’re most annoying when they land on you and you’re sweating which is always! I’ve been able to learn more of the language, pretty much just nouns and verbs but Caleb has grown immensely with the language and can speak a lot more.

Bella right now has a low-grade fever and swollen lymph nodes. Probably some kind of virus.

Last week Elijah had a very bad boil on his back that started to cause him to be sick with a fever but thankfully with a course of antibiotics it’s all gone now. We keep praying for rain. This week will be a full normal week with just schooling and Caleb learning the language with workers who are here to do things on the property. Then next week Caleb will be taking a trip to another village about three hours up the river. He’ll be going with 5 other men from our village for two nights. I’ll be here with both kids and the day after he returns will be my birthday. Sometimes it’s very challenging for me to be here and sometimes it’s not. The days that I’m around people and able to do medicine, and have conversations with many people I feel like I could live here forever. And the days that I miss my family, my friends, normalcy, and my American culture that’s when I become discouraged. Thankfully God knows this and has given me much grace throughout our time here.

“But he said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

- 2 Corinthians 12:9

Bringing the laundry to the garden spring

Loy and Boy are my laundry ladies for this week.

Caleb at the other village.

Thanks to God for 2022 partners/supporters

Thanks from Gibello family in PNG

   God has brought us through yet another year and we are so thankful for His faithfulness to the Gospel pioneer mission work here in PNG.

   God has answered so many prayers relating to the ministry here in Moka. We are making progress with language learning, Melissa continues to homeschool Elijah and Bella, the airstrip project is moving forward, God has kept open doors to the surrounding villages so we can evangelize, and many more praise points that you can read about in our updates and Melissa’s blog posts.

   We also thank God for all of you who partnered with us in this ministry during 2022. Your support has been a wonderful blessing and also a big financial help as we continue in this work. Your giving has helped in causing this mission work to move forward, so we praise God for you.

   Please also remember that our finance office mailing address has changed to PO Box 629, Landing, NJ 07850.

   You can click on our website link below for prayer points, Melissa’s blog, projects, and other mission related pages.

This Scripture from 1 Cor 16 came to my mind; may it encourage and challenge us all: A wide door for effective ministry/work has opened to us, but there are many adversaries to the Gospel work.

   Please continue to be part of this ministry with us and also stay in touch.

In Christ our Lord,

Caleb & Melissa Gibello

http://www.papuanewguineamissions.org/calebmelissa

Good-bye 2022 Hello 2023

2022 was a very good year for us all. We got to see most of you! We started our travels in January of 2022 and ended them in August. The Lord protected us as we traveled most of the East coast as well as flying to a few churches. We were able to be apart of some of your VBS’ and Sunday schools. We had great fellowship with all of you ( we both had gained the 10lbs to prove it) The kids made many memories along the way and we had some really great family time. God provided the visas to return to PNG in His time as well as giving us the funds that we needed for lots of random things that we need while on the field.

I am so thankful for our time in the village from Oct 5-Dec 5, 2022. We had a very good first time back with the people. We were all concerned about the house and how it held up. Well that too was an answer to prayer. No-one broke in or even touched it while we were gone for the year.

Bella’s accident of breaking her left arm happened on our supply run to the town 4 hours from the mission base. We are also very thankful for Gods protection on her and that it was only a broken arm. Even though we were told we needed to be seen by an orthopedic surgeon and had to leave PNG for 5 days we are just so thankful that the Dr. was able to fix it without surgery. We were able to fly back into PNG on the 22nd of Dec just in time for Christmas!

God has been good, HE shows himself true all the time! We pray that 2023 will be GOD HONORING AND CHRIST CENTERED!

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”-Psalm 138:8

Oct 22, 2022

This past week Caleb’s grandfather has passed away. He was 91, fought in the Korean War on the front lines, ran his own business and had 13 great grandchildren. He s survived by his wife and two sons as well as all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We heard about this news while we are hear in Moka which makes it hard to be so far away during these times. 

But during this week the Lord has brought lots of reminders to me of how he is on the throne how he is sovereign and how he cares for his people who do his work. I selfishly confess that sometimes I wish I lived an easier life, but then I think about the people here and how they live and they must think that I live like a queen. I have to put it all into perspective. 

The thoughts that run through my head can take me far from truth and I have to be brought back by the constant reminder of Gods word. 

I praise God that we can lift up our cry’s to Him and He hears. 

Grandpa Ray was a grandpa to me for 20 years. I loved him like my own. All my grandparents had died by the time I was 12. He knew me since I was 17.

Our family will miss eating our Italian meals at their table and talking. We looked forward to those visits. We have always enjoyed being with him and hearing about his war stories. He was the only one who called Elijah “Eli” as well as would wear a sweater vest in June (lol). 

We will miss him. 

“Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.”

Psalm 86:4 ESV

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.”

Psalm 86:12 ESV

As I write this blog today I’m reminded that today would have been the birthday of my Maternal grandfather. He would have been 108. Love to you as well Grandpa Fagliarone.

Death is such a part of life but I always say its not the nice part.

Our first 2 weeks back in Moka

It was a blessing to be back and able to land on the airstrip, which we weren’t sure would even be open. The people were extremely thankful that we were back they all came tp greet us and help us Our house was standing and even though we had lots of cleaning to do we were able to just walk in and sleep without having to worry about anything. As the week progressed on I was called down for a snakebite. She had been in the jungle and was collecting greens to eat. It took them two hours to paddle to me. Her husband had a tourniquet wrapped on the side and top of her calf. He told me he wanted me to wrap her leg as quick as I could and of course I did as well as pull with the extractor . After sitting there with it with her for an hour she seemed OK so I went up to my house. Few hours later I was called back down because the paralysis set into her eyes and her neck. She was able to move as well as swallow just her eyes were very heavy and could not stay open. Her neck seem to be as what she said dry. I told him not to cut open any area of her leg for that’s their way of letting the “black blood” come out of her (sorcery) and I told him not to undo the wrap for the poison was obviously going into her system and this is what it was doing to her. I stayed with her for another three hours she never progressed for the worse and seemed stable so I went back to me house. The next morning I went down and she was still alive but they literally held her eyes open the entire night, never gave her water, took the wrap off her leg and cut multiple times around where the snake bit her. I was so angry, upset, and overwhelmed by the fact that I gave them information that could help save her life and they chose to do it their way. They told me they were going to bring her down to another village where a nurse would be. I truly just believe they didn’t trust what I had to say. It was over 24 hours from when she was bitten the fact that she’s still alive shows that she will live. Normally a person dies between one to 24 hours later. Around the same time I was called to one of the older women who had fainted. I went down to visit her and was pretty sure she had malaria. I gave her the malaria test and sure enough it came out positive. Thankfully I’m able to give her malaria medicine and know that she should be getting better. Over that weekend I felt very stressed which brings on anxiety to me making me fear snakebites and malaria. What really gets me is how these people are so lost and refuse to acknowledge the Gospel. Only Christ can save them and I understand that but I could feel me faith was weak, not knowing how to trust Him in the midst of this hardship. This struggle seems to come a lot as I look back in my journal. Caleb and I continually ask the Lord why it’s taking so long for Him to save? My constant prayer, “Lord guide me through the struggle help me I need you more than ever because I feel so stripped of all things.”

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cornthians 12:10

Darkness to Light

Traveling back to PNG went extremely smoothly over our 41hours. We stayed in the Capital city for about a week to get over jet lag,as well as to apply for permanent visas so we wouldn’t have to go through the hassle we just went through to get back. Our last month with our home Church we felt so blessed to be with them all for 5 straight weeks. Wrapping things up in the states is always difficult. The Goodbyes are always the hardest. Honestly our time stateside was just a great gift. We truly enjoy seeing all of you we feel like we are apart of every church we visit and just love the hospitality. Thank you!

Once we got in country Caleb kept getting a call from an unknown number so about after the 9th time he answered it, it was one of our guys from Moka, Roger. He was in town calling to tell us his family is in the hospital looking after his wife Lena who has TB of the abdomen. Over a year ago I told her to go to the Dr. 8 hours away. I knew it was beyond what I could help her with and now you see how long it’s taken them but Praise God she is getting the meds she needs. He also went on to tell us about 12 people from Moka have died over this last year. My heart ❤️broke. After Caleb hung up I said I’m just so upset that the devil continues to have a hold on these people. My prayer while we were in the states was to keep people from dying and going to hell. Although I’m so saddened I need to trust the Lord and his purpose. I know all of you who are a part of this ministry will pray, please continue to pray over these next three years while we are in Country that the Gospel will prevail and many will be saved.
Sunday we went to church in the Capital we were with many Nationals that are Christians, as we sang I wept because it would be the last time we worshipped with nationals like that for a long time.

We are going to enter back into Moka within the next week and it’s a spiritually dark place.
Please be praying for our travels. You can look up all our prayers points on one of links on the website.

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
Colossians 1:13

in the States

As we have been here in the States, we have been traveling quite a lot. That’s mainly why I haven’t written in a while. We have been so encouraged by all of you. As we have come and visited with you and your churches we have been encouraged and feel refreshed by your fellowship.

Pioneer missions means giving up your home church, being fed from the pulpit, and the fellowship of fellow believers. We can say honestly say that when we returned from PNG we were spiritual dry. We are the only Christians in our village (we believe one older man, Kobe, is also saved). Caleb faithfully teaches the people of our village, as well as 6 other villages. Our prayer is for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the Kaser people (that’s the name of the people/language group).

“Τhere is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts‬ ‭4:12‬

It becomes taxing on us spiritually. It becomes lonely as well. Our main prayer before returning to the States was to be rejuvenated by God’s people and spiritually encouraged. I have been humbled by all of you and how you have received us and encouraged our family. I praise God for hearing and answering my prayer! We feel like family to all of you and are so thankful for all of the prayers you have said for us.

“For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage” Psalm‬ ‭94:14‬

William Carey said, “I will go but you have to hold the ropes.” Ηe was speaking about his partnering churches praying and supporting him when he made his voyage to India in the 1800s. We feel the same way. We can’t do this alone. We, as Christ’s true disciples, are all in “missions” together.

Its a new year~ 2022

Right after I wrote the blog on the 2nd of December, we were hit with Covid in our house, on the 10th. We seem to all have gotten over it with me still having some side effects that I might have to go get checked this week. I would appreciate your prayers.

The holidays were not what we have been dreaming of over the past three years. As a missionary you talk and reminisce over and over about what you can’t wait for, for when you are back in the states. Honestly it was one of the hardest Christmas’ and New Years I have ever been through. Trusting the LORD in a hard time is one of the hardest things to do. I am so thankful for all of you who would have seen my facebook post and were praying for my family specifically my father who was in the hospital with Covid pneumonia. He is doing much better and we praise God for His answered prayers.

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you- you are my God.” - Psalm 86:1~2

Watching facebook and seeing all my friends back in PNG living life and enjoying the holidays was so lovely. Honestly I do miss being there. I miss the simplicity of life. While we are there we miss America and all that goes with it, then while we are here we miss the simplicity of life in PNG.

We have a jam packed schedule being back in the states, please pray for all of the traveling and that we would be an encouragement to all the churches as we travel and give an update on what the Lord has been doing in PNG. With out fail we also continue to pray for the people of Moka and the surrounding villages. Many have heard the word and we pray for converts while we are gone

2022 might not have started like we would have “liked” but we know that God is in control and we pray that He will guide us and direct us as we are home in the states as well as in PNG.

“Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.”-Psalm 86:6

~ getting our Christmas tree ~