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 ~

Travel and transition Dec 2,2021

We have been back in the states a month now. It’s been good. We feel like we are “back”. I do not feel like we are in a groove of any sort but more of a rat race. I tend to forget how fast the “American” life is. In PNG we do the same old…every day. With that being said, when I am in PNG I long for all the freedom and things that I am missing. But now that we are back and will be for these few months I realize how wonderful it is. Just to do the same thing each day and to not have to worry about where we are going and what we need to buy, is freeing.

We pictured America very different upon our arrival, but to our surprise, and I believe the timing, we are thankful that things are much more laid back then we perceived to be.

Caleb and I both noticed a difference in our kids and their transition. All the years before as we have come back to the States they have been young. Now that Elijah will be 12 and Bella is 10 they see things differently. I believe they have transitioned fine. I can tell you that they both miss their freedom to run and jump and play sports. They also are not used to the cold here and have been getting used to that as well. Here are some of their quotes since returning,

1. “ Why are there lines in the middle of the road”- Elijah

2. “ Are the food stores always open?”- Bella

3. “Why are the cars going so fast?”- Elijah

We don’t go out at night in PNG, let alone to a store at night. PNG does not have lines in there non -paved, pot hole road, making it almost impossible to drive fast anywhere.

We praise God for His hand upon us while we traveled and giving us the neg. Covid tests to return. The time with family has been priceless and we look forward to making many new memories with them.

We haven’t forgotten our Moka people and actually miss them so. I pray often for them by name. We are praying for the Lord to do a work in the village while we are gone. It’s hard to explain but once you hit American soil and start living your everyday life here, it feels like PNG is a dream. To go from living in the jungle and eating bananas on my porch to living in a house in NJ where I can get in the car and go anywhere I want and buy good food and COFFEE. We must not lose our focus. I can see how easy it is for Americans to lose the focus of missions. “Out of sight out of mind” It is such a true statement. Please pray for your missionaries overseas. Think of them, encourage them, and Pray!

The power of prayer is so important, we know we live by it! 

Prayer requests.

• That God will save the Moka people

• For Kobe, in the village and that his life would be spared from organ failure.

• For our time in the states and that we would stay focused on Christ

• A good and healthy holiday season with family.

Aug 14, 2021 (journal)

Yesterday my in-laws left to go back to the mission compound. They were with us for 11 days and it was a wonderful visit!

Bella would rise early with my father-in-law and read her Bible along side him. She never has had a desire to do this before therefore I was greatly encouraged. Mom taught her how to make bread, and they baked it a few times throughout the week. Both Dad and Mom worked with Caleb on translation and language learning. They were able to give him pointers and see how the Kaser language differs from the language they know in their village. Elijah had a good time with them as well. He enjoyed having others in the house. We were able to take walks with them throughout the village. Dad preached/ taught, for our workers meetings and the one Sunday they were with us. Unfortunately it rained the whole time they were here except for the day that the plane came to pick them up!

When we brought them to the air strip, our cargo came in on the front load. Some of our friends sent in a special box with gifts and treats! We really enjoyed that, especially the candy.

Today we polyurethaned the floor in our bedroom. It really came out wonderful! I really am so thankful for this house, it is our home. Being in the village is not always easy and having a home to retreat to helps! When you are the reality TV it can get to be a little much.

(The pics below are from our time with Calebs parents, and for those of you who don’t know they have been missionaries in country since 1999. We are not in the same area as them. Dad helped build the house with Caleb so Mom came to see the finished product a year later)

Coming Home Soon!

I will write out some journal entries in the next few weeks but I wanted to tell you some highlights of our time in the village. We are out of Moka and are planning to be back in the states the First of November. 2021 was a huge step for us in our ministry. We have seen the Lords hand upon us and really are amazed by His wondrous works. I have read many wonderful missionary biographies this year and have been greatly encouraged. If anybody tells you that suffering for the Lord is not a thing, please don’t listen to them. This is a theme through out all of the books. I too can relate with them one way or another. 

“we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance” Romans 5:3

We have been blessed by all that we have endured this season in Papua New Guinea, good and bad. We have been able to accomplish almost all that we had set out to do in 2019 upon returning. 

• complete construction of our house

• the boat and motor

• learning the language (still ongoing but great progress)

• medically helping people

• operation newborn

• the airstrip (continuing with slow progress)

My in laws were able to come and join us for 2 weeks in the village during August. Mom got to see the house for the first time and they were able to encourage Caleb with language learning and translation. Dad did all the preaching for workers meetings, midweek meeting as well as Sunday. We had a wonderful time with them despite the rainy weather everyday. 

Caleb was able to translate (initial translation) many verses from Genesis, Ezekiel, Matthew, Mark, John, and Acts. After he would translate these, he would preach on that particular passage all week. We were able to bring the Gospel down river as well as to a village up river~ that we had previously not evangelized.

Our relationships with the people have grown and we have really gotten to know them much better. It would take a lifetime to understand them culturally but we keep chipping away. There are so many things that are animistic it's hard to understand, plus they don’t share that side of themselves. We have seen things this term that have been very eye opening to us. One being a demon possessed woman.  

For the first time we were able celebrate PNG Independence Day, Sept 16th, in our village. It was great fun. They have a week long time of sports, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball, as well as Basketball. Then on the 16th they have competitions and awards. Elijah and I participated a little, I played basketball till I fell in the mud and gave up and Elijah did things with the kids. Caleb was gifted a Kina shell. Ιt was a lovely day and we really enjoyed it!

For me and the kids we have gotten a lot of school done. Elijah is in 6th and Bella in 4th. I love homeschooling for the most part, and feel like I learn so much from teaching. This year is a lot of US history which I am proud to teach! The Lord has stretched me beyond what I thought I was capable of. Dealing with children being bitten by snakes and dying, Others bitten by snakes and living, by the Grace of GOD! Helping TB patients (making sure they are taking their meds) and the best one, Delivering a Baby! I am beyond humbled on how the Lord had chosen me to be this NJ girl who hated camping into a missionary in the jungle of PNG. For those of you who know me, oh you know!

The books that I read that you might want to read:

“Becoming Elizabeth Elliott”

“Nate Saint”

“Hudson Taylor and Maria: A Match Made in Heaven”

We pray that we will see all of you again real soon!

Prayer Request:

• The Holy Spirit to work while we are away from them

• Traveling mercies as we navigate travel restrictions and numerous airports

• The kids transitioning back to the USA

May 16 and 30

Sunday May 16... we had a great meeting with the people despite the horrible rainy weather. When I woke up in the morning I figured no one would show due to the rain, but God had other plans. We read and sang and Caleb preached. While he was preaching a few people walked by to go into the bush, one of them being Elsi. I thought, “Oh I wish she would come listen rather then go hunting… but she strolled by”. After the meeting I made hot chocolate because it was so damp out and afterwards we talked on the radio to Caleb’s parents who are at the mission base right now. I wasn’t feeling well all week so I was about to lie down when we heard a voice close to the house. I told Elijah to check because I really was too tired. Then I heard Simoi say it was Elsi his wife and wasn’t sure if she got bit by a snake. This is the same Elsi who I saw go into the jungle, hours before. My tiredness was overcome by adrenaline and I went to see. She was in the wind house and sure enough a snake bit her left hand. Apparently she cut a tree branch and it fell and when she went to pick it up something bit her. She did not see what it was but it left two holes on the top of her hand. As I stood there all I could think of is that she is under some kind of attack, she was bitten on that hand 2 years ago and then had the demon in her a few months back. Now I stand here again fearing her death and where she would spend eternity. She is so hardened to the truth. The poison did weird things to her but about 2 hours later she was sitting up and eating.

A week later she came and planted coconuts and a trees called “two-leaf” in our yard (similar to spinach). I gave her a bottle (something for her to put stuff in), and paid her for her time. Later that day I saw her try to steal from me and felt so upset. Why? Why would she do that, she is my friend. I have helped her over and over again. I care for her and her children. I have stood beside her as she has been close to death. I continue to share the gospel with her, yet she is overcome by her temptation to steal and controlled by her sinful heart. This is just one example of why the Moka people need Jesus!

May 30- It’s the Lord’s Day today and as we sat waiting for people to come we talked about things that we miss from our families in America. We waited a while and thought no one was coming but then David and his family came as well as Kobe. Caleb preached in their language. It’s great that he is getting over the hump of learning the language and he seems to be understanding more and more. (As for me I’m far behind, Homeschooling takes up the first part of my day. I have come to terms with that I might not learn the language like I thought, but that’s ok. Teaching our kids is very important to me.) Kobe understands so much he can tell us everything that we have said and we can see he understands. Sadly he doesn’t truly believe. Their customs are strong and they hold them to the death. You will truly see a change of heart in a true Christian for when they leave their sorcery customs behind. After our meeting the family and I walked the village to see how everyone is. That’s when I came across a situation very much like Haggar and Sarah in the Old Testament. As we know the in story, Sarah gives Abraham her maid servant who bores him the son Ishmael. She is treated unfairly from Sarah and has to leave in the end. It’s the same here. The first wife has the right to boss any other wives and take the children of the other wives.

Rachel, is the second wife to one of the men here and when I was walking through I noticed her in the doorway looking “sick”. I asked her if she was ok but as I got closer I could see she was in pain. Her hand was cut by a knife from a fight with the first wife. The first wife , claims that Rachel’s son is hers and they were fighting over that. Yes these ways still exist. This is something we face in the village a lot. Polygamy is common here and not looked down upon. Having children is there heritage and if the first wive can not produce then they will keep getting a wife until one does. Not everyone does this, but I feel like enough do.

Continue to be in prayer for this dark place.

the one picture is of Elsi after she got bit by the snake.

Journal entry, May 6-11, 2021

May 6-11

Another week has passed and we are settled in.

We’ve had some excitement going on, starting with Kavin who has sent for us at 8:30 pm. He thought he was bite by a snake in the village while he was walking home. Two ladies came to our wind house and called but I didn’t hear them. I was laying in bed with the fan on. Thankfully Elijah was in his bed and thought a ghost was calling his name, as he says. When I looked out I saw a fire in my wind house and they were waiting. It’s funny to me because they weren’t running to the house alarmed or anything but just calling out to me hoping I would hear? I don’t know why they do that. Caleb and I both went because it was night and I didn’t want to go alone. We locked the kids into the house and off we went. I wrapped the leg and sucked the one hole with the extractor. Then we waited to watch for signs. Caleb spoke to him about truly believing in Christ, for now is the time. After about an hour he didn’t have any symptoms so we all figured it was some sort of insect that bit him and drew blood. He never saw a snake and it is extremely rare for them to be bit in the village. We just wanted to be safe and were thankful that it wasn’t anything.

On Monday the 10th, we went down to the three villages to evangelize We had about 8 people from our village traveling with us. At the first village there were only two people in it due to people leaving for town and going to their garden. Caleb still read the Bible and spoke with the two women there. Afterwards we were given 3 coconuts. At the next village there were a lot more people and Caleb preached in their language from Revelation 20:15, on the Book of Life. We were there about 2 hours and then moved on to the last village of the day. This village is the headquarters for this area for the SDA’s. Even so we had a good turn out and Caleb preached for the third time that day the same thing. It’s always a long day the Monday’s we go but totally worth it.

As I said Caleb preached in the language, this is where the biggest change has happened in our ministry. Caleb has made a break through with his language learners. He is able to work each day with men from the village who help him with learning their language, translating scripture passages, and putting his preaching notes into the language. Caleb has his notes that he translated and has now preached in their language the WORD OF GOD! This is huge. This is the first time anyone has put the Word of God into the Kaiser language! Praise be to God!

May the Holy Spirit open then eyes of these people so they will be saved.

You can go to the picture video page and see him preaching in the language.

Caleb as the skipper, as we travel to the villages

Returning to Moka

April 26-May 2

We praise God for His goodness to us! He brought us back into the village when many thought it would be impossible due to regulations of the country. God granted us permission to fly. We also were greeted by a truck at the airstrip and were brought to the river. We then prayed for a boat and a motor to be available and the Lord answered prayer. We were well on our way to Moka in less then and hour and a half.

Upon our arrival to the village we were glad to see that the grass was cut! The airstrip work was not really done but we figured that, being it was rainy season and one of the main landowners passed away from a long time sickness. They take the mourning process differently then an American. It goes on for a very long time in the village.

Two families continued to meet on Sundays while we were gone. They read the Bible and sang. We were so encouraged by this. We are praying for each of them. David and Dorika are a young family who have been coming and Kobe is one of the oldest men in the village and I truly believe the Lord is working in him. He is not doing well so please pray for him.

Bella’s rooster, “Saragi” was babysat by a family here in Moka and they took great care of him. The chicken is like no other. He comes when we call and allows Bella to literally do anything to him. He is a fighter when it comes to Jersey and steals her food. It’s the little things that makes the kids happy.

We got the house in order in about three days and I was able to decorate a little. We now have a bathroom mirror!

We really are looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for us this time in the village.

”Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!”

Psalm 9:11

Bella and her chicken

traveling on the river

the house

Remember the Savior.

Introduction

Before I give you my journal entries below, let us acknowledge the significance of this day we celebrate as Good Friday. Let us consider the life of Christ and how He died for His people on the Cross. This humbles me, especially because I am a sinner saved through this death. Jesus suffered and died the shameful death of the Cross, but ROSE from death to fulfill the Father’s perfect prophesied plan - salvation for sinners. Nothing you or I do can be good and righteous enough to make us worthy of heaven; but the Gospel tells us that Jesus was good and righteous enough to make us worthy of heaven. I give glory to God for all he has given us is His Son. Are you confident you are justified before the Father through the Son? If you are unsure of where you stand with God, now is the time to make it right. God says that we “all have sinned,” but that is not the final word, the same passage goes on to say that “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” So may we all be repenting of our sins and believing the Gospel. This is the message for all peoples in all times in all places. Let this truth be the backdrop as you read my journal entries below.

Feb 7

Yesterday one of the women who is often with me, Aina, was bitten by a poison snake. She came to my wind-house to ask for help. I only saw one hole in her foot (not the normal two) and proceeded with the wrap. The suction (to draw out the poison) did not work because her foot is calloused like a stone. I was hoping that she had a scorpion sting instead of a snake bite. Once the pain proceeded moving up her leg I knew it was indeed a snake bite. Over the next two hours I watched Aina step onto death’s doorstep. By then most of the village was at her side, and I was pushed aside. I kept weeping in fear for her children - she has eleven, five of which live with her under the age 14. (Her husband died Sept 2019 from TB.) I kept pleading with God to spare Aina. She began the death-rattle (loosing air and voice) and then lost conciseness. Not long after this though, she began moving again and tried to talk. By God’s mercy Aina did not die that day. The Lord has now saved her twice (she is the same woman I wrote about back in 2018 when she was seizing giving birth to her last born). I continually talk to her about how Jesus has given her two more opportunities to live on this earth. I pray that God would mercifully save her from sin and ultimate death in hell, and that she would turn from her animistic ways and to the truth of Christ - the Gospel Caleb preaches to the villagers week after week.

Feb 14

We had such a cute Valentine’s Day. We made homemade cards for each other, and we enjoyed chocolate cake at the end of the day. After we finished our cake, I was about to clean up when Simoi ran to our house and told us their was a spirit no-good (demon) on Elsi, his wife. (You may remember Elsi from one of my previous posts: she had been bitten by a poisonous snake in 2019, I prayed all that night, and the Lord did not allow her to die then.) As we all approached the wind house (gazebo) she was thrashing on the floor, tight lipped, and eyes shut. First I checked if her problems was possibly medical, but it clearly was not. This was no medical seizure; there was a demon in her, and it was controlling her. Caleb and I have never seen anything like that before so we watched for a few minutes and asked questions. Elsi could not even respond to our talk. As we began praying over her she would thrash more. Her hands were in a death grip, grabbing the people next to her. We had a very similar experience to Jesus’ interactions with demons in the Gospels. Elsi had no control over her body. Her heart rate and breathing were both normal. She told me this later, that her mind was hearing the demon speaking to her, but she couldn’t hear us talking to her. The demon continued to bang her head against the floor, and her limbs jerked in unnatural ways; her body shook uncontrollably. Finally her body went limp and she pointed to the corner of the house and said the demon was there. I kept telling her, “Jesus is the only one with the power and authority to deliver you; only He can give you true life; He is the light.” I told her over and over to call out to Jesus, for only His Name has power and authority to deliver her from evil. Her husband told us that the demon has been going into her for the past two months, and it always comes at night. Let me tell you, if I wasn’t a believer in Christ I would be terrified of what a demon could do to me.

Elis later told me that she can see the demon coming to her and it overtakes her “heart” (i.e. her soul). We prayed over her numerous times that night. The windhouse was crowded with people. Caleb and I spoke once again of the Gospel, and of Jesus’ ministry in the Bible. Jesus himself, as well as his disciples, often dealt with this demons. This was ordinary for them, but for us, it was a first.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to make these people born again through His Word, so that they would turn to Christ and be saved from their sin, the control of the devil, and eternal hell.

Two days later I went to talk with Elsi about what she thought had happened to her. She had no recollection of what had happened with the demon. She said that she can see the demonic force come at her and before she loses consciousness it fights her body. The demon makes her roll around in the grass hitting her, banging her head, and causing her to fall. Elsi said she went to hit it with a knife. I explained to her a demonic force you can’t fight with a sword but only with the true sword which is the word of God. When I started to talk to her about God and how she truly needs Jesus, she tuned out. She told me Simoi (her husband) is afraid that it will come in one night and throw her into the river to die. She just laughed it off like it would never happen. I told her that he’s right and she should be very afraid of it. Blows my mind that she would be so afraid of other things and yet not afraid of this. Please pray for Elsi. 

I walked away feeling defeated and frustrated but I can’t save her the Lord has to open her eyes.

“Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons.” Mark 1:34

Back into Moka

This is how Paul describes some of his adventures during his pioneer Gospel mission work

“Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.“ (2 Cor 11)

January 12 we left the the mission compound around 9am. We were able to get to the airstrip around 10am. God answered prayer and there was good weather for the plane to land. A vehicle from the lumber camp came thinking that our plane was for them, and so we asked them if they could help us by driving our cargo to the river. I always give them cinnamon rolls for their help. On arriving at the river Caleb went to get our fuel. I chatted it up with some people in the market finding out that apparently there was no boat or motor to bring us to Moka. I was praying that we would get to Moka with a motor, otherwise we would to have to paddle a day and night to get there. I also was concerned about the 25kg of meat that was in our cooler. It would spoil if we could not get to Moka that day. I started to doubt, Elijah reassured me that there would be a motor and a boat, and so not to worry. We waited for about 15 minutes until Caleb came back and I automatically went right to him telling him that there was no motor available. He told me that he heard from another guy that he has a motor but it had been 9 months since he used it last, so they weren’t sure if it would work. After about an hour the motor and the boat were at the river ready for us. I always feel like I’m doubting; but our caring Father answered our prayers again. I had to praise the Lord right there, and say thank you for hearing my prayer. I know in some sense it was a small concern compared to others, but I also know that our Father always is watching over and caring for us because we are His children doing His work.

That day we did get to Moka village. Thankfully on arrival there were no issues/problems with our house or the boat house. It took me a few days to get the house in order (which is normal). I had to put all our new cargo away, all the food onto shelves, and clean up the mold and dust.

One of our friends had a baby while we were away from the village. The mother had delivered a boy and she asked Elijah to give him a name: Elijah chose the biblical name, Joseph (I was happy since that’s my brother’s name). The people were happy to see us again as we were to see them.

The first week back in Moka seems to have gone by quickly because we were busy. Next week I start school again and we start back into our normal routine. Lots of decoration stuff came in so my house now definitely feels like home.

Trying Times

We are frontier missionaries. What does that involve? Well, nothing that you would ever be prepared for. No one but God Himself can prepare a couple to do pioneer Gospel missions. Jesus, by His Word and Spirit, gives us the power and grace to do this work. 

Frontier missionaries face circumstances in different ways. We have dealt with betrayal, demons, lying, stealing, being called false prophets, and seeing many die. As I read through the Gospels again I am seeing them in a new light. Christ’s words, what he went through, and how he handled problems, all these were done perfectly and with no sin. Even though we are faced with these difficult situations we are here in this place because Christ has called us to this work: to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are bringing it to such a lost and dark place, knowing that this is where the Lord has called us to serve Him. 

I often think of the great missionaries of the past. Consider John Paton, one who was in constant danger for years and still brought the people the Word. David Brainerd ministered to the American Indians while sick with TB and living in harsh conditions. Think of Jim Elliot, and the others with him, who followed God’s calling to the South American natives, and in their obedience were killed. But their deaths were not in vain, for through their deaths many came to Christ and it opened the door for Elizabeth to go back to those same people. And what was the outcome? The people were saved.

As we face these trying times we continue to pray for the harvest of God’s people. I pray for it; what a glorious day it will be!