I am happy to report that I am here in PNG!

Brenda and I sat down at lunch one day and started this daily prayer request list. She finished it while I did other things. It would be wonderful if you would pray for each of these requests.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Every day (Monday July 24 – Tuesday August 2), please pray continually for these things:

• For Steve Hayward – his health, strength, and preparation. Steve is leaving for the village tomorrow, ahead of schedule, so he can spend some time with the people and determine his plan for his 5 messages which begin on Saturday July 30. Steve lived in PNG for many years and helped complete a translation in a different village.
• For Martha Wade – for her health, strength, and preparation. She has had some pretty challenging situations as we prepare for the dedication, and she is about to share her home of 43 years of solitude with 9 extra women, 16 extra people during meal times, along with her kitchen and her belongings.
• Please pray for the rain to stop in Angguna and for the fields around the dedication to quickly dry up. Along with this, we pray against problems with mosquitoes and for the safety for ALL while we are in the village.
• Please continue to pray for the people of Angguna, for healing and comfort, and for them to feel the power of God’s Spirit moving about them during the dedication. Brenda was reminded this evening that no matter the language barriers, no matter “my discomfort,” to go and just sit with the people. Even if it is in silence. That might be the greatest act of compassion and love and service any of us have to offer – to just sit with them.
• Please pray we are able to shuttle all the gear, food, people, and belongings on the helicopter flights under our weight allowance which was just reduced.

Specific Daily Requests:

• Tuesday, July 26th in Madang/Monday in the US – please pray for safe air travel for seven folks who will be arriving this week, most of whom are leaving from the US on Monday. Two helicopter shuttles left for Angguna yesterday with 5 Media Arts team members and Steve Hayward to the village. 
• Wednesday, July 26th in Madang/early morning Wednesday in the US – please pray for the safe arrival of the two ladies joining us who will be providing music for the dedication events. They will likely arrive in the early morning US hours and will be sharing Brenda’s flat while they are here. This is their 8th trip to PNG! Eric, Joe, and the other men should arrive in Port Moresby for an overnight stay . Please pray everyone rests well!
• Thursday, July 27 in Madang/early morning Thursday in the US – please pray for Air Niugini to be flying on time so that Eric, Joe, and the others will be able to arrive in Madang as scheduled. This will also likely be in the early morning hours in the US. We will get them settled at their flats, have a brief time to discuss etiquette and safety, and then take everyone for a nice dinner together. Please pray that everyone’s luggage arrives with them, and again, please pray that everyone rests well!
• Friday, July 28th in Madang/overnight on Thursday in the US – we “might” be taking all of the dedication guests shopping for snacks to take to the village and likely to the markets for a little taste of life in Madang and some souvenir shopping. Please pray that we can help all of our guests with their needs before we leave for the village. Please pray that everyone rests well – the last night in the flats with AC (if the power stays on) before leaving for the village.
• Saturday, July 29th in Madang/Friday night in the US – all the dedication guests (9 of us) will shuttle to Angguna. The flights are scheduled for 8:00am, 10:00am, and 12:00pm local time – this would be 6pm, 8pm, and 10pm on Friday evening in the eastern US. The trip should take about 30 minutes. Please pray for the safety and efficiency of those shuttles.
• Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will have dedication events. Please be praying for a hedge of spiritual protection throughout these three days – especially for Steve, Martha, and the people in Angguna.