the 411, part 2

On 9/24, we fly out of Mibu for Madang.  Even though the two places seem quite close to us on the map, the climate is quite different.  We expect to be comfortable and perhaps even cool in the evening in Mibu.  We expect to be hot and sweaty in Madang.  We also expect to have plenty of insect friends, which is why we each have malaria meds. 

Please pray for each of us while we are in Madang, that our emotions and reactions would not be controlled by the weather or climate, that as a team, we would show love for one another, especially through patience, even as we continue to spend a lot of time together.  Please also pray for protection from illness and other physical issues.  For example, our malaria meds make us more susceptible to sunburn, but we will be in the elements quite a bit. 

We have a couple of days to get set up for the conference and get the lay of the land.  As families trickle in before the conference, we will have time to get to know them.  The conference begins the evening of 9/26. 

On 9/27, the conference focuses on a day of rest and refreshment for everyone (malolo).  We get to accompany all the attendees to a local beach and enjoy the day with them there.  Hopefully, this will be a day to enjoy one another, and a chance for the missionaries to catch up with each other.

The bulk of the conference takes place 9/28-9/30.  Dennis will teach the adults in the morning, while the rest of the team takes on the kids via VBS.  Shiloh and other teens will help out with the nursery, while Kevin heads up the VBS time.  Kris is in charge of the music and crafts.  Gary, Lori, and I are taking care of games and supervising the nursery.  Joey is doing all sorts of things, including food!  Most of the afternoons are casual times for missionaries to do what they need to do: pursue time on their own, nap, spend time with friends, whatever.  We have time planned for the teenagers in the afternoon, since they are "working" in the morning with us. 

Please pray for each of the children (around 30 of them), that they would feel safe, loved, and challenged, and that they would have fun with their friends.  Pray that each of the leaders would have energy.  Also pray for refreshment and rest for the adults.

Following dinner each evening, the missionaries have a chance to share reports from their ministry.  I look forward to those times, a chance to get to know them better and be able to get a better concept of the overall vision for the area. 

On Saturday evening, the men and kids have a movie night, and the women get to have a ladies night.  The basic concept of the lesson that night is that our time on earth is short.  It's a reminder that keeps popping up for me: I have it tattooed on my foot.  And I know this doesn't seem to fit, but I promise it does: we will spend part of the evening playing board games.

Please pray that the message for the women would be effective and I would not be intimidated by speaking to missionaries.  I know they are "regular people," but I keep getting this little niggling in the back of my mind that tells me that they already realize that time is short, which is why they are doing what they are doing.  However, I believe strongly that this is what I am supposed to discuss. 

Sunday morning, the men have an early breakfast together, and then the conference continues for the remainder of the day.