Blog Archives

Blessings from Heartache and A Little Fun

3/26/2015

March 20. Praise the Lord for another nice day. A lot of clouds this afternoon, but no rain.

            The school morning started out as quite an emotional time. I prayed and then talked with the students, sharing what had caused me such heaviness of spirit yesterday. We had a time of crying together and saying sorry to one another. The highlight of the morning was Sunny’s hug and her words “I love you” which, of course, were returned to her in much joy and sincerity. Those are words I never expected to hear from any of these people in a culture where love has never been something that is expressed. After that we practiced singing “Until Then.” It was a very appropriate song for the morning. The students have learned it well, and hope to sing it Sunday morning in church.

            After a short break, we had science class. The new lesson has to do with stars, and it had a little section about telescopes. So I got out Daddy’s little telescope so they could see it. Daddy helped them to set it up and know how to use it. They went out on the front porch to see what they could see through it, and enjoyed very much being able to do that.

            After recess, we played a math game, and then they did a challenge math page since they had all finished their lessons for the week. I gave them extra time to finish the challenge page. Our last class was a spelling quiz and reading more of the book we had started last week.

            By then I was pretty tired. Was thankful for a pretty good nap after lunch. Later in the afternoon, Bonita came and prepared some veggies for me. We didn’t need them for supper, but I got them all cooked up to use for making soup tomorrow. We had the rest of the rice and beef stir fry for supper.

            While Daddy was teaching Bible school this evening, Sunny came and practiced her typing. Then she did the dishes for me which was a great blessing.

            “44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures….” Luke 24,:44,45

March 21. It was a very warm night and warm this morning when we got up. And that was early to do the laundry. When the laundry was done, I sat in the recliner and prayed (had read my Bible while I was eating breakfast). Sleepiness overtook me, and I dozed for a while in the recliner before going to lotu.

            Matthew did the teaching this morning, continuing with the will of God.

            After lotu, Daddy and I hung out the clothes. Afterward, I tried to send the e-mails I wrote yesterday evening, but there was too much coming in so they would not send. Daddy tried sending them later, but they still didn’t want to go anywhere. He finally was able to send them this afternoon while we were eating supper.

            Following the unsuccessful attempt to send e-mails, I finished up this coming week’s lesson plans. Then Daddy and I went for a walk. It was nice to get out for a little walk again. Hadn’t been able to do that for a while.

            Shortly after our walk, I started making the soup for dinner. I was thankful for a pretty good nap today. The weather was very warm, and I didn’t know how well I would rest; but the air seemed to start cooling down after we lay down. After a while the skies all clouded over, and there was a lot of thunder, but still no rain. Although we have had so much damp, cloudy weather, we have had very little rain, and the ground is starting to get parched and cracked.

            After nap, I washed my hair, recorded our income and expenditures for the past couple months so I can get the income report up-to-date, cut Daddy’s hair, practiced keyboard, and fixed supper.

            “46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:46-48

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Cold Harsh Winds, Damp Weather, and Difficult Days

3/26/2015

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March 15. My, what fierce winds tore through the house last night! All night long and all day today, the icy winds have been blowing. We’ve had jackets on all day today, even during lotu. Usually it gets plenty warm enough in the meeting room with all the body heat, but not today. The door had to be kept closed and most of the windows too.

            It is just about 8:00 p.m. now. Just finished washing dishes, cleaning the sink and toilet (dirt was coming through the water line earlier this evening), stirring up the fire, and a couple other little jobs. Daddy is busy teaching soul-winning class.

            I made Daddy pancakes as usual for his breakfast and muffins again for mine since we haven’t had any popo for making fruit syrup, but there were plenty of overripe bananas to put in the muffins. Still had to wait a long time for them to get done. I finally ate half an apple, I was getting so hungry. That held me over until the muffins got done.

            After breakfast and quiet time, I had to figure out grades on all the lessons that Graham and Sunny corrected yesterday evening, and then record the grades. That took most of the time until lotu time. But people weren’t here in time for lotu, and I was really tired so went and lay down for a little nap. I had planned to sleep in a bit longer this morning (Sunday is the only day that I have time for that), but a coughing spell at 5:30 changed those plans. Still took my regular nap after dinner.

            Matthew preached this morning on the rest of Galatians chapter 5 starting with verse 22, the fruit of the Spirit. David preached this afternoon on God’s gift of children to Adam and Eve, and to us as well.

            This afternoon, I got the ministry update written and made sure things were ready for lessons tomorrow. After supper, I wrote a bass for the song “Why Must I Die?” which the students want to learn next. I discovered that there was no bass written in the music.

            “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Luke 21:33

March 16. Very damp, cool, and cloudy again. Lots of fog this morning. A pretty much routine day.

            “61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:61,62

March 17. Even colder today than yesterday. I had a jacket and sweater both on until mid-morning and just a jacket or sweater most of the rest of the day. Still no sunshine. There is apparently another cyclone system south of us.

            Some of the students are going way ahead in their math. I wish I had someone to work with the slower students. There was tons of work to check and grade today.

            “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

March 18. Clear skies and bright stars last night. Very cold this morning, but the Lord gave us a lovely, warm day to take the place of the cold.

            It was a somewhat disappointing day. I was feeling a bit frustrated by the end of the day.

            On top of that, I thought I would never get all the school work corrected. I really am going to have to have someone else help me after school on the days that Sunny and Graham don’t come.

            After grading the school work this afternoon, I still had to make a meal for supper and make tortillas for my lunches. I was very thankful that lotu was earlier this morning so we were able to start and end classes earlier.

            “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27

March 19. I was so tired last night that I went to bed about 9:30. Slept well until 4:45. Then I had trouble with coughing and getting all congested so could not get back to sleep. Then the rat started making some kind of ratcket. Daddy finally got up to see what it was doing. It was trying to pull a rag into the space between the two layers of pitpit (beaten reed) wall in the bathroom. Where it got the rag, I don’t know. This rat has been the worst we’ve had yet - so noisy and so destructive. Yesterday we find that it had torn into three rolls of toilet paper, shredding it and making quite a mess on the bathroom shelves. It has eaten three small helpings of rat poison so far so we hope it dies soon. (at the end of the week - Praise the Lord, there has been no more sign of that rat.)

            Since I couldn’t get back to sleep on the bed, I got up and tried to rest in the recliner; but I wasn’t comfortable there so went back to the bed. I finally got up around 5:15 and read my Bible. When Daddy got up, I went and got dressed and then got breakfast.

            It was so nice not to have a fire going today. The Lord gave us a nice warm, sunny morning. This afternoon there were clouds and lots of thunder but no rain.

            Today turned out to be a very hard day. Before school was completely over, I was so overcome, I just had to go and cry somewhere.

            “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Luke 24:32

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March News

3/24/2015

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In this post is the text of Mom and Dad's monthly update for March. I don't usually post the update letter here, but this one was so encouraging. I thought you might enjoy it. Thank you for praying and praising with us.

Dear Fellow-laborers,

            7Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.   Psalm 148:7-13

            Everything that God has created was created to praise His name. There is no other name worthy of our praise. Yes, even the stormy wind, in praising the LORD, fulfills his word. These past couple weeks the seemingly endless stormy winds have whipped through the house day and night causing the roofing iron and silver paper to cling and clang, and beating our faces with its icy chill. Lewis gets up early every morning to start a fire in the wood stove and keeps feeding it firewood until time to retire. Nevertheless, news of the damage caused by cyclones in nearby areas of the South Pacific, and news of the record snowfall and cold temperatures in our beloved America has caused us to realize that we have much for which to be thankful.

            We certainly do want to praise the Lord for bringing salvation recently to Eris, a young lady in her late teens. She had started attending Glory Independent Baptist Church during the special meetings in January. At that time, she heard Pastor Matthew’s testimony and realized she had never been saved. Several weeks ago, Matthew and Erisapet had the privilege of leading her to faith in Jesus Christ as her Saviour. Pray for spiritual growth for Eris.

            We also thank the Lord for His faithfulness to keep our hearts encouraged. A couple weeks ago, Erisapet’s mother came by for a little visit. She wanted to tell me that the sangumas were roaming around the village, and that I should not open the door if I heard them knock. (Sangumas are evil spirits that enter people’s homes and cause them harm.) I assured her that the sangumas could not enter here because God lives here and His Holy Spirit lives in my heart. God is here to protect me and my home. “Yes,” she said, “the Holy Spirit lives in my heart too, and God takes care of me. But, if the sangumas knock on the door, don’t open the door.” We went through the same scenario several times before she finally seemed content that God’s children and their homes are protected from these ministers of Satan. It is so hard sometimes for some of the older saints, who have lived so many years in darkness, to sort out the old from the new. I was encouraged, however, that she seemed certain that she is God’s child. Please be praying for our older saints, that they will not be fearful of the powers of darkness, and that they will have assurance of God’s presence and protection.

            Other prayer requests: (1) Bible school students and (2) Lewis as he teaches; (3) Lewis as he works on Scripture translation; (4) Pastor Matthew as he oversees the church; (5) for Steve to be saved (6) and many others as well; (7) a godly wife for Esau; (8) another Christian school student Dallas who is now preparing for marriage; (8) repentance of backslidden believers.

            We praise the Lord (1) for daily strength and provisions for our needs; (2) for His Word to comfort, teach, encourage, and guide us; (3) for one of the backslidden believers repenting of his sin today; (4) for Eris’s salvation; (5) for evidence of spiritual growth in the lives of many of the believers; (6) for all of you who take time to pray, give, and send us words of encouargement.

Because of Calvary,

Lewis & Judy Young
Owena village
P.O. Box 1112
Goroka, E.H.P. 441
Papua New Guinea

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The Lord's Kindness

3/18/2015

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March 13. Friday, the 13th. What a lovely day the Lord gave us! Still some winds, but lots of blue sky and sunshine. Thank you, Lord, for your kindness to your children.

            The students did a great job on “Until Then” today. We’ll practice for another week to get it up to speed. Then maybe next Sunday, they’ll be ready to sing it in lotu. They were excited to get new reading workbooks today. And I was excited in math class that they finally could tell me what multiples and factors are. After their spelling quiz, I had them go right to their science test. Then we had our "conversation time" in the last class of the day. That included reading part of a book. I let Mike pick out the book. It was one about life in the cities. After I read a few pages, then I used it as a springboard to get some conversation going. None of them have ever been to a city, and all but two said they would like to visit the city. Phinehas didn’t want to visit the city because it is too dangerous, and Sunny didn’t want to go because it costs too much money.

            After nap, I helped get things set up for the store and then graded some of today’s lessons. A lot of the lessons are left for Graham and Sunny to grade tomorrow evening. Later I fixed a few extra veggies so I could make soup for supper. I already had some leftover veggies in the fridge, and I had chicken broth in the pressure cooker. Since there wasn’t much business at the school store, Phinehas came in and played the keyboard until it was time to close up shop.

            George spent all day chopping firewood. We had pretty well depleted our store with the wood stove going all day long for I don’t know how many days. It seemed so good to be able to let the fire go out today.

            Matusa and his family brought more firewood. Our store of that was running low too.

            “41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41,42

March 14. The beautiful day yesterday was topped off with a bit of rain later in the evening and strong winds during the night.

            But what a lovely day it has been again today! How good the Lord is! The winds are still blowing strong, but how thankful we are for blue sky and sunshine. Just wish I could have gotten out for a walk today. But I am glad that I was at least able to get out and hang out the clothes. Daddy didn’t want to be out in the wind because he is still battling a bad cough, so I got to hang all the clothes out by myself. It took a fair bit longer, but I do so enjoy being out there under God’s blue sky where I can pray while I work. Also stopped for a few minutes to talk with Opo and Ayando.

            We didn’t get up quite so early this morning - waited until 5:45. I just felt like I needed that few minutes extra sleep. We were still able to get the clothes all washed before lotu. Left them to be hung out afterward.

            Mike taught the lesson this morning on the husband and wife being one in all areas of their marriage. It was a good message. He said he was really tired after a busy week in school, but he did a good job anyway.

            As soon as lotu was over and I had greeted many of those who were there, I went right out and started hanging clothes. I was hot and tired by the time I finished. Had an Emergen-C drink and then dozed in the recliner for a while.

            After my little nap, the rest of the morning was spent working on lesson plans for this coming week. I wasn’t able to get out for a walk because some kind of lump came up on the bottom of my foot yesterday afternoon. Don’t have any idea what it is. It is under the surface of the skin and is very tender to the touch. I am glad it is in the arch of the foot so there is not a lot of pressure on it when I walk, unless I step on a bump on the ground or in the floor, and as long as I wear something with a flat insole. So I am having to wear my slippers in the house. That is all I have that is flat. It got too hot to have them on later in the morning though, and my feet are really swollen today.

            Warmed up soup for our dinner. Daddy went out and got the clothes in while the winds were somewhat calm. After nap, I washed my hair. Then I finished lesson plans and finished checking the rough draft of Thessalonians through Philemon.

          “18Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 19And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 20And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. 21For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. 22Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” II Samuel 7:18-22

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Tortillas and Tests

3/18/2015

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Bonita rolling out tortillas

March 10. Very dark this morning. Stayed cold for quite a while. Saw a few patches of blue sky and a few minutes of sunshine a couple times this afternoon, but they were soon gone.

            Since the kids left school early, we had an early lunch and nap. After nap, I had just a few small papers to correct, and then I got things set up for the store. Later, Mike, Sunny and Esau came to work in the store. Esau didn’t really come to work, but since Sosthenes didn’t show up for his turn, Esau was happy to take his place. I also made granola this afternoon and fixed rice and chicken for supper. I wanted to make tortillas too, but was too tired to do that. Should have time to do that tomorrow since I don’t have to fix a meal.

            “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

March 11. The Lord gave us some nice sunshine this morning and warmer temperatures today. We were very grateful. Clouds and strong winds again in the afternoon and a few sprinkles of rain.

            After breakfast and quiet time this morning, while I was waiting for lotu to start, I got dough mixed up for tortillas and got it rolled into balls. That way I would be able to roll out a couple and cook them for lunch.

            Amos taught from Acts 15:1-6 in lotu this morning, emphasizing the importance of seeking the advice of godly counselors when there are disputes that you aren’t sure how to settle.

            The students had their phonics test first thing this morning. Then we studied together for a while for the coming reading test. I will give them class time tomorrow to do some independent study, and we’ll probably have the test on Friday.

            Started cooking my tortillas at lunch time and finished cooking them this afternoon after getting things set up for the store. While they were cooking, I graded English exercises. Then I prepared veggies for supper and put those on the wood stove to cook. After supper, I graded math. I really could have used my helpers today. If I had thought soon enough, I could have had a couple of the girls prepare veggies after school this morning.

            Not much business at the school store today. There was hardly anyone around. Probably most everybody went off to their gardens on this nice day.

            Phinehas and Sosthenes are here studying thise evening.

            “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13

March 12. The Lord gave us a little blue sky and sunshine again this morning, followed later by more clouds and gusty winds.

            We didn’t have any rice cereal for breakfast because we forgot to have Sunny grind some so we had oatmeal today.

            The students were already ready for their reading test this morning, and almost everyone did quite well. We all shouted hurray for the completion of the reading workbook. Tomorrow they will have a test in science so we reviewed for that today.

            There weren’t a lot of papers to grade today, but it took quite a while, for some reason, to grade their reading tests and their English worksheets. It is so hard to know sometimes how hard to be on them when English is not their first, nor their second, language.

            Before supper, I started making lemon sugar cookies and finished getting them ready to bake after supper. They just finished baking a few minutes ago.

            “For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.” Luke 19:26

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Strong, Chilly, Blustery Winds

3/18/2015

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March 8. Strong, gusty winds were whipping through the house and whipping the silver paper up and down when I woke up around 2:00 this morning. The winds continued through the night and throughout the day today, blowing strong and steadily for a while, and then suddenly gaining a burst of extra strength getting louder and louder like a train coming down the tracks before fading off into the distance. Things seem relatively calm this evening.

            This morning I made pancakes for Daddy and muffins for myself. I thought my muffins would never get done, and I was getting hungrier and hungrier. The rats have taken away most of the oven insulation so it does not work well any more. Finally my muffins got done, and I enjoyed four fresh, hot, buttered banana muffins for my breakfast.

            After breakfast and quiet time, I punched holes in the new soul-winning lessons and also stapled together the two new song books that had been printed yesterday evening. Then Daddy turned on the generator for a while, and I printed out tax forms for him.

            It was 10:30 or so before the meeting started this morning. Matthew did not preach today since he has a bad cold. David took the morning meeting, and there was no afternoon meeting.

            After nap today, I wrote an e-mail to Christy and Connie, wrote the new Bible verse on the chalkboard, and made a meat pie for supper.

            This evening, I wrote several more e-mails, sorted out a few things to try to sell tomorrow at the school sale, and did the dishes. Daddy was busy with soul-winning class.

            “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27

March 9. No sunshine today. Chilly and blustery again. The winds whipped and whirled and whined and whistled and whooed all night long again too.

            Today has been busy with taking care of the daily chores around the house, teaching school, and waiting on people who came to buy things.

            “29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” Luke 18:29,30

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Lewis and Judy Young

Hello!

Thank you for visiting our site. If you would like a copy of our latest newsletter, you will find it in PDF format below the flag. Also, check out our Facebook page Owena Opporty. Enjoy and God bless!

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Owena Saints to
Pray For

Apekio and Family
Apekio is full of joy over her salvation. Her husband, Daniel, was also recently saved. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray for Apekio's children to be saved.

Devit and Family
Devit and Silvia have often ben an encouragement to Dad and Mom. Thank God for this and pray that they will remain strong in the Lord.

Doesn't Erik look very happy about his salvation?

Erik and Family
Please continue to pray for Erik and his family.

Matyu A
Matyu A was recently saved. Pray that he will grow in the Lord and become a strong servant for Jesus.

Matyu Y
Matyu Y was also recently saved. Pray that he will grow and be a good testimony for the Lord.

Erisa
Erisa is a young Christian with many questions. Thank God for her enquiring heart. And please pray for her to have a clear understanding of spiritual things and a steady growth in the Lord. Also, please pray for her husband, Anevina, to be right with the Lord and to be a leader in the home.