Yes, I’m still in Madang. Trust me, I haven’t forgotten any of you and you are in my prayers daily. What an odd time we are sharing, huh?

Some things have developed here, but at a much slower pace than America or other countries dealing with the worldwide pandemic. Maybe the heat and humidity DO make a difference. I don’t know. The only one who does know is God. This is when we are forced to realize that we have no control… it actually gives me peace of mind to know that I don’t have to have all of the answers. That is a prideful thought anyway.

One of my teammates made a comment that really helped me, and I wonder if it will help you, or at least give you something to think about.

“People aren’t dying of coronavirus. They are dying because that was the precise time God ordained for them to die before time began.”

I don’t know how that hit you, but it gives my heart peace. Peace to zap me back to the fact that He has never lost control and found Himself thinking, “oh crud, coronavirus?! I didn’t see that one coming!” No. He was, is, and will forever be in control. This doesn’t surprise Him. What we need to be concerned with, over any virus or anything that causes death, is where we will spend eternity. This is the perfect time to talk to God, whether it is the first time, or the millionth time, or you did it a long time ago, and are afraid to talk to Him because you feel shame. This is the time. There will come a moment in time when it is too late, but this isn’t it, because you are still reading. So, talk to God. Learn about Him, find out what He wants for your life, and make sure that you know about Jesus coming to save us. Jesus was born and lived on this earth like a human being. Can you imagine willingly leaving heaven? Yeah, me either. Once I am there, I want to stay.

You have heard me say things about “my yes,” to God, right? Well, Jesus dying was part of “His yes” to His Father. He did that for you and for me.

Staying (in heaven) wasn’t in Jesus’ thinking. I am selfish to have said that I would want to stay in heaven. He was not selfish and had no thoughts of Himself – only us. We were on His heart and mind when He said “yes.”

So what is going on in Madang?

Well, we typically have a much larger team here, but we are down to 9 adults in country. It’s an interesting time for sure. It is strange to not see my national friends. I miss them terribly! The office, which is our safe place with only our remnant going in and out, has seemed too quiet. It seems so strange to be there and not see my ladies and the workmen. I look forward to getting back to our normal chaos, ha-ha!

I am still working in the finance office, but I have also been helping out in our publications department. I like it! We are making sure that everything that has been published is recorded correctly and corresponds with what is in the file cabinet. It is quite a task, and I think that when it is completed Diane, Martha, and I will all be glad.

It was quiet in town for about a month, but now many people are coming in to town. It was very nice when it was quiet. The nights were peaceful and there was no trouble. I cherished every moment. I saw an article that said that Miami has gone 6 weeks without a murder… it makes you think, doesn’t it? Maybe this isolation has caused less people to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I see a “hidden” blessing there.

They are talking about opening the schools. They apparently think that is a good idea. Although I have different thoughts. I pray for the children – that they will be safe. A lot of them will need to ride on public transportation, and truthfully even though they might get told that not to get close to each other, they don’t stay away from each other – at all. It is counter-cultural.

As far as any confirmed cases here, I am wondering if we are running this route behind you guys (4-5 weeks or so?), and we have yet to find many cases in Papua New Guinea. Maybe there are sick people and we just don’t know it yet. There is no way for us to know. We have no testing kits in Madang. I don’t know what’s going to happen if/when people really start getting sick. Please keep praying. The Lord has been working with me and my anxious thoughts.

This is not an easy place to live, compared to the life I had in America. There are few (if any) things that are the same as there. However, we find some gems along the way sometimes. Martha and I still walk daily with our dogs. We walk along the South Pacific Ocean, so it is beautiful even on a bad weather day. When I was having a particularly difficult day, I had cried to God saying “I just need something to enjoy, something to make me happy!” Well, He delivered! He gave me dolphins. Now that was a cool blessing, and I was really happy!

Then a few days after that when we were walking, we were surprised by more dolphins when we looked out over the water! They were swimming along “with us” at just the pace we were walking. It was so much fun! We walked as far as we wanted and sadly said goodbye as our friends continued on while we turned around. We decided to leave home at the same time the next day, and had the same experience! Only the second time the dolphins met us as we walked back toward our houses. It was very cool! Only God can do something like that! This was the 3rd time that we saw dolphins in just a few days. I don’t carry my phone on our walks, so this is not my photo. It was taken by Mac Silvey. He and his wife Kaitlin are my teammates and neighbors.

Thanks for being on this journey with me… life is so strange right now, it is nice to know you are here with me! I appreciate each and every one of you.

Thanks for praying for me!

My prayer requests are ~

• Safety in my little corner of the world, your corner, and all over the world
• No anxious thoughts
• Relief from the pain in my wrist (and to be spared from any pain in my other wrist, or my feet again)
• Peace in our little town and all over the world
• The virus will be removed from the earth
• This break in “normal life” will cause people to reconsider how they were living and how to move forward in a more positive way in the future – everyone has something/somewhere that they can improve
• People will appreciate their families more – and love them better
• People will appreciate their employers and fellow employees more – and vice versa
• We will all appreciate “others” more – all others
• That we would all be so filled with grace and mercy that we can’t help but dump it all over people
• and last but not least, that my finances stay in good condition so I can continue serving here in Madang

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  ~ Phi 4:4-8