Have we mentioned that the Husa family lives in a remote area? When they return to PNG next month, and when the SV team arrives at their home in September, none of us will arrive at their doorstep via car. Not even four wheel drive. We're talking helicopter. That's right. In order to get to their house, we ride in a helicopter (there is not enough room right now for a plane to land closeby).
When I talked to the early elementary kids at school in the spring about the Husa kids coming back, I remember that was one of the things that sparked interest and imagination. All of them thought it would be super cool to ride in a helicopter to their house. I have to admit--I think it is super cool too.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Where in the world is Papua New Guinea?
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Let us know if you have any other questions about our trip, and one of us will do our best to address them (or at least tell you we have no idea).
Friday, June 15, 2012
asking the right question
I can't base what I am about to say on scientific research or any sort of poll, but my guess is there are plenty of people out there who would like to go or have thought about going on a missions trip but ultimately decide not to. And the reason? Fundraising. (Insert ominous sounding music here).
We discussed plenty of different topics at our first PNG meeting, but the main focus was fundraising. Probably because we each have a goal to raise $4300, with half of that due the first part of July. Of course, that made us each take a good look at the calendar and then take a deep breath. John Wood, who is leading our meetings and is one of the pastors at SV, led us through many practical issues, breaking down our responsibilities into manageable tasks. But the most meaningful accomplishment for me during the meeting was a realignment of my responsibility regarding finances.
At the top of a worksheet in our short-term missions manual (I love that we have a short-term missions manual...it makes me want to refer to it with initials. From now on, it will be known as S-TMM), there is an important comment. It says something like: Don't ask, "Who will support me?" Only God knows that. Ask instead, "Who ought to hear about my ministry?"
The more I thought about this statement, the more liberated I became. We think we are responsible for making sure there are funds to cover our trip. But the truth is, like most things I like to take over, that is God's job. I believe that I am supposed to be on this trip, so what makes me even consider that he would not make sure that I go? Instead of focusing on trying to convince people to give money without trying to pressure anyone, it became more of an exercise of sharing this exciting experience.
The process of writing the information letter became more like doing a Christmas letter in June. Not sure how you feel about sending Christmas greetings, but I rather enjoy it, assuming I have provided myself enough time to do a thorough job. Tonight, when I sent out some emails, I found myself basking in my rich life...rich with relationships. There are people from all eras of my life, and even though I didn't get a chance to write a personal note, I did recall each person with affection and often a unique memory or two.
It has been great to hear back from some people already. It is humbling to be entrusted with God's work by people who love him and me. When I signed up for this trip, I expected it to be a stretching one, one that changed me. I just forgot to count on being changed months ahead of time.
Can't wait to read what comes next in the S-TMM.
We discussed plenty of different topics at our first PNG meeting, but the main focus was fundraising. Probably because we each have a goal to raise $4300, with half of that due the first part of July. Of course, that made us each take a good look at the calendar and then take a deep breath. John Wood, who is leading our meetings and is one of the pastors at SV, led us through many practical issues, breaking down our responsibilities into manageable tasks. But the most meaningful accomplishment for me during the meeting was a realignment of my responsibility regarding finances.
At the top of a worksheet in our short-term missions manual (I love that we have a short-term missions manual...it makes me want to refer to it with initials. From now on, it will be known as S-TMM), there is an important comment. It says something like: Don't ask, "Who will support me?" Only God knows that. Ask instead, "Who ought to hear about my ministry?"
The more I thought about this statement, the more liberated I became. We think we are responsible for making sure there are funds to cover our trip. But the truth is, like most things I like to take over, that is God's job. I believe that I am supposed to be on this trip, so what makes me even consider that he would not make sure that I go? Instead of focusing on trying to convince people to give money without trying to pressure anyone, it became more of an exercise of sharing this exciting experience.
The process of writing the information letter became more like doing a Christmas letter in June. Not sure how you feel about sending Christmas greetings, but I rather enjoy it, assuming I have provided myself enough time to do a thorough job. Tonight, when I sent out some emails, I found myself basking in my rich life...rich with relationships. There are people from all eras of my life, and even though I didn't get a chance to write a personal note, I did recall each person with affection and often a unique memory or two.
It has been great to hear back from some people already. It is humbling to be entrusted with God's work by people who love him and me. When I signed up for this trip, I expected it to be a stretching one, one that changed me. I just forgot to count on being changed months ahead of time.
Can't wait to read what comes next in the S-TMM.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Husa Family
We are so glad to be able to spend time on this trip with the Husas! They have been part of both Bethany and Sun Valley for a long time, and it is a privilege to partner with them as part of the church as well as family to family.
Their blog is http://mibu-ministry.blogspot.com/, and I encourage you to take a look at it. We will be able to give you some details about them as we prepare for the trip and especially when we are there, but they are much better at it than any of us.
I love this picture of them. Geoff and Shannon have three daughters: Skyler, Madelyn, and Abigail, and baby Ethan is not in this picture (at least not visibly), but he made his official appearance in late April. Two of us on the team have children around the same age as Skyler, so it has been fun to watch them all "grow up" together.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
in the beginning...
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10).
That pretty much sums up the purpose of the Sun Valley trip to Papua New Guinea. So much of the trip is still in the planning stages right now, and most of the details are not set in stone, but this is what we hope will happen, God willing.
In mid-September, about six of us will board a plane for a short trip to LAX. That will get us started on a journey that will hopefully have life-changing implications for us and the people we encounter. Following that first mini-flight, we will then hover (well) above the Pacific for the next few hours until arriving in Australia and connecting to Papua New Guinea.
Once we get there, our trip is divided into two distinct parts. The first part will be spent with Geoff and Shannon Husa at their home, which we have all seen before in pictures, but we look forward to experiencing ourselves. (For those who do not know the Husas, they are long-term missionaries with New Tribes Missions. We have been able to get to stay current with them via email and when they come back to AZ). They are our friends, and we are grateful to encourage them and be encouraged as well to see for ourselves the Mibu people, who are following Christ. We all look forward to this part of the trip and hope that we will be able to encourage the people of Mibu even though communication will be a barrier. However, we look forward to worshipping with them on Sunday, and lifting up our voices together to the God who knows all tongues.
After leaving Mibu, we head over to Madang for the annual conference for the New Tribes missionaries in the region. That includes Geoff and Shannon, so we will get to have more time with them. Dennis McMains, a pastor from our church, will be leading the adult sessions.
The remainder of the team will run a VBS for the children during this time. I think it will be fun for the kids and will help their parents be refreshed and attend the conference without distraction. Kevin Kramar, who is in charge of children's ministry on the Tempe campus, is leading this part of the trip. In addition to VBS, we will help with the conference in whatever way we can. Basically, we want to show love to all the missionaries there as much as we can, so they can return to their homes on the field refreshed and ready for the task ahead.
That pretty much sums up the purpose of the Sun Valley trip to Papua New Guinea. So much of the trip is still in the planning stages right now, and most of the details are not set in stone, but this is what we hope will happen, God willing.
In mid-September, about six of us will board a plane for a short trip to LAX. That will get us started on a journey that will hopefully have life-changing implications for us and the people we encounter. Following that first mini-flight, we will then hover (well) above the Pacific for the next few hours until arriving in Australia and connecting to Papua New Guinea.
Once we get there, our trip is divided into two distinct parts. The first part will be spent with Geoff and Shannon Husa at their home, which we have all seen before in pictures, but we look forward to experiencing ourselves. (For those who do not know the Husas, they are long-term missionaries with New Tribes Missions. We have been able to get to stay current with them via email and when they come back to AZ). They are our friends, and we are grateful to encourage them and be encouraged as well to see for ourselves the Mibu people, who are following Christ. We all look forward to this part of the trip and hope that we will be able to encourage the people of Mibu even though communication will be a barrier. However, we look forward to worshipping with them on Sunday, and lifting up our voices together to the God who knows all tongues.
After leaving Mibu, we head over to Madang for the annual conference for the New Tribes missionaries in the region. That includes Geoff and Shannon, so we will get to have more time with them. Dennis McMains, a pastor from our church, will be leading the adult sessions.
The remainder of the team will run a VBS for the children during this time. I think it will be fun for the kids and will help their parents be refreshed and attend the conference without distraction. Kevin Kramar, who is in charge of children's ministry on the Tempe campus, is leading this part of the trip. In addition to VBS, we will help with the conference in whatever way we can. Basically, we want to show love to all the missionaries there as much as we can, so they can return to their homes on the field refreshed and ready for the task ahead.
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