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Below is a gallery of some photos not included in the blog posts, including photos of the Noah's ark the children made for school. Just click on an image to see it larger.            
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August 10. Went to bed early last night, around 9:00 or so. Started feeling really tired. Then felt chilled after I got into bed. Finally warmed up in the middle of the night, but was up quite a few times with diarrhea. Was thankful the diarrhea stopped before school. However, I was pretty weak. I asked Mailin to take charge of the story practice, and she did a good job at that. The students finished their first math workbook today too. We went over into English class time to finish. Then I told them to say “hooray, hooray, hooray.” They thought that was fun. In English class (what was left of it), I just read a book that Bonita picked out. Nuanda came back from town today. He brought quite a bit of money with him to buy coffee. There is lots and lots of coffee around. At first they thought this was going to be the lowest coffee year ever. But the coffee came several months late and has produced abundantly. Amos sold a couple bags to Nuanda and came and paid Bonita’s school fees for the rest of the year. August 11. Daddy’s birthday. 64 today. Thankful to have slept a bit better last night. Got up early. Started the laundry about 6:45. There were lots of small items so it took quite a while to hang everything out. Took up all of the line space. After a short break, it was time for school family day. The kids did really well. It was a joy to see them sitting with their papas and mamas and reading their little Owena books. After refreshments, we talked with the parents a bit. Didn’t have a lot to say this time. Just mentioned the due date for fees for second term of school, and also the fact that our being short on food and water may necessitate our taking a short furlough or furlough until the drought ends. The water problem can probably be remedied if we can get the water tank in. But the food problem is another thing. The people are rationing their food and pretty much keeping it to themselves right now. They do market a few things like beans and bananas. In the afternoon, it was time to start packing and getting ready for town. Took time out to relax and play the keyboard before supper. I needed the encouragement of Frank Garlock’s song, which says, “Jesus loves me, He’s my Friend.” Fixed fish patties for supper because we had our sandwiches for lunch. We had planned to have leftover rice for lunch, but it was spoiled. August 12. Went to bed early last night, and woke up early this morning. Actually I was awake off and on since 4:00. We finished packing up. Cleaned up the dishes. Daddy had to call MAF on the phone because Nuanda’s battery was dead, and Janet had gone off somewhere with the keys to the haus sik so he couldn’t get in to use the haus sik radio. Richard said the plane would be going to Boiko, then would come and get us. It was already loaded up. He would call us and give us an ETA later. Well, he didn’t call, and after a while, we heard a plane go over. So Daddy called Richard to see if it was MAF’s plane. Richard said the plane would be in Owena in a half hour. So we closed up the house and headed for the airstrip. I knew I would be moving slowly as I was not feeling very strong yet after being sick. I was hoping we would have time to stop and talk to Taro, but we didn’t. About the time we got to Gibson’s house, the plane came over the mountain. He landed before we got up there, but only had to wait a few minutes. The people took the cargo on over to the plane. Daniel came out to Goroka on the plane with us today. He is going to get stuff for his trade store. I guess the people will be needing other food to supplement their meager garden supply. Arrived in Goroka around 10:30. After taking care of our bill (plane fares have gone up 8%, but avgas has gone up 24%), we brought stuff over to the flat, then went out to do some shopping. Went to Papindo, SVS, and Bintangor. Stopped by the post office after Papindo’s. Only two letters and not one package. Wonder what is going on with the mail delivery. (They found out later that there were 2 packages waiting for them. The Post Office workers, for some reason, had just not put a notice in their box. There was a third package, but it was returned to us, apparently without even making it to Goroka. Not sure what happened with that one.) Had lunch at SVS. We were thankful that fresh veggie prices seemed to still be about the same at Bintangor. Got some stew veggies (peas-carrots-cabbage combo), some carrots, and some broccoli. After Bintangor, we came back to the house for a nap. Daddy went out again this afternoon. After nap, I got up the e-mails from the last six weeks. Fixed the veggies for supper. Boiled some eggs for egg salad sandwiches. It was so good to have fresh veggies again. Thank you, Lord, for that blessing. "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice." Psalm 97:1 "God is God; He sees and hears All our troubles, all our tears. Soul, forget not, 'mid thy pains, God o'er all for ever reigns." "Fear not death, nor Satan's thrusts, God defends who in Him trusts; Soul, remember, in thy pains, God o'er all for ever reigns." "For this life's long night of sadness He will give us peace and gladness. Soul, remember, in thy pains, God o'er all for ever reigns." —Morning and Evening Photos: Family day fun Reading to Dad at family day   August 7. It has been another hot day. I will be grateful for a bath tonight. Things are very dry. We heard today that prices are going way up in town, especially fresh market prices, because of the drought; and some of the families are going to bring their kids home from school. This afternoon, after nap, I started folding clothes and Daddy finished that job. Then I got bread ready to rise and ingredients ready for cookies. Cut my toenails. It started raining a bit so Daddy asked if the schoolroom windows were closed. I said that the ones I washed were open. So he went out there to close it, and we discovered that the schoolroom keys are missing. Thankfully, I had put a spare on another ring, but we cannot imagine where the other keys could be. We looked all over. Didn’t find them so took a few minutes to pray about them. Then went on with what we were doing. Afterwards, I swept and washed the kitchen floor. Daddy swept the bathroom for me. Then I baked the bread, and finished mixing the cookies and putting them on cookie sheets. Fixed supper. Ate. Did dishes. Cleaned up the kitchen. By then it was 7:00. Now it is almost 8:00, and I just remembered that I need to wash the tub before bath. Believers love Jesus with a deeper affection than they dare give to any other being. They would sooner lose father and mother than part with Christ. They hold all earthly comforts with a loose hand, but they carry Him fast locked in their bosoms. They voluntarily deny themselves for His sake, but they are not driven to deny Him. It is scant love which the fire of persecution can dry up; the true believer’s love is a deeper stream than this. Men have labored to divide the faithful from their Master, but their attempts have been fruitless in every age. Neither crowns of honour, now frowns of anger, have untied this more than Gordian know. This is no every-day attachment which the world’s power may at length dissolve. Neither man nor devil have found a key which opens this lock. Never has the craft of Satan been more at fault than when he has exercised it in seeking to rend in sunder this union of two divinely welded hearts. It is written, and nothing can blot out the sentence, “The upright love Thee.” The intensity of the love of the upright, however, is not so much to be judged by what it appears as by what the upright long for. It is our daily lament that we cannot love enough. Would that our hearts were capable of hiding more, and reaching further. Like Samuel Rutherford, we sigh and cry, “Oh, for as much love as would go round about the earth, and over heaven - yea, the heaven of heavens, and ten thousand worlds - that I might let all out upon fair, fair, only fair Christ.” Alas! Our longest reach is but a span of love, and our affection is but as a drop of a bucket compared with His deserts. Measure our love by our intentions, and it is high indeed; ‘tis thus, we trust, our Lord doth judge of it. Oh, that we could give all the love in all hearts in one great mass, a gathering together of all loves to Him who is altogether lovely! -Morning and Evening What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord's side, and are doing the Lord's work, and in His strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary.—Morning and Evening August 8. The world is very dry. But God is very near. Finished Genesis today in my morning Bible reading. The story of Joseph is always such an encouragement. While I was cleaning the bathroom last night, the Lord brought to mind, that I had had my sweater on when I first went out to the schoolroom yesterday morning. So I went and checked my sweater pocket, and, sure ‘nuf, there they were - the keys, that is. Thank you, Lord. It was a joy to have some time to talk with Christy and Connie this morning. We had to go outside this week. Could not get reception in the house. After nap today, three more boys (Graham, Sosthenes, and Bethuel) and one more girl (Jocelyn) came and said their 15 verses from this term. I trust that these verses will stay in their minds for a long time. The teachers were all here early so we had teachers’ meeting early. After that, I got the ministry update written. After supper, I enjoyed playing the keyboard while the water was heating for dishes. Don’t get to play very often with so much to do for school preparations. August 9. Connie’s birthday. Lot’s of cold, stong winds again this afternoon. Maura was not here this morning. Must have carried coffee with some of the others. My equilibrium was bad this morning. Probably because I took the Para Factors yesterday on top of all the other stuff I’ve been taking. It took most of the day to get out of the system. The kids had their quiz on the story of Babel in Bible class this morning. The rest of the time was spent practicing for family day. In tokples class, they learned the letter “s.” They did two pages in math class, and have two pages left in the workbook to do tomorrow. In English class, they learned the word “purple.” Max had his Bible test today and got 100 on it. Daddy had to help him get started, as he was not sure what to do. Guess he has never had a test like that before. Once he figured out what was going on, he did really well. That was a blessing. This afternoon, I washed my hair and got things organized for school tomorrow. There are half dozen men her again this evening to work on translation. “11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Exodus 4:11-12 Looks like the children had fun making sheep pictures.  August 4. Praise the Lord for sunshine today. In lotu this morning, Daddy taught more on prerequisites to knowing the will of God. Spent most of the first class of school working on the kids’ parts for the story of Noah for family day. They are doing very well. After that we had math class. That was our only normal class today. Have a really bad sore throat again tonight. Just can’t seem to get the germs out of my system, whether viral, or whatever. The Echinacea is nearly gone. My head is really full tonight, and I feel sort of miserable. It’s hard to think straight. We had quite a strong tremor just as we were about to sit down for supper. The house shook really hard, and it was a bit scarey. I was getting ready to go outside. (We found out later that Dad and Mom were feeling tremors from an earthquake that took place near Madang. It was a magnitude 6.4 earthquake. Don’t know how hard it was in Owena since it was not close to the epicenter.) "The people that do know their God shall be strong." Daniel 11:32 August 5. Cold this morning, but very warm this afternoon. Did not sleep very well last night because of my throat being so sore. Am thankful to be feeling a wee bit better today. Taking extra Clear Lungs, Olive Leaf Extract, and ALJ. The Echinacea has run out. Wanted to take a longer nap this afternoon, but I knew Serah would be coming to work. I was thankful for God’s grace and strength to get through the morning of school. Daddy did not have Bible school today. Max is supposed to be using the time to study for his test coming up Monday. After he went to the haus sik this morning, Luke came by to talk to Daddy a while. He has been quite sick with malaria so said he probably won’t be in Bible school tomorrow. Daddy confirmed our booking to go to town next Thursday. Lord willing, MAF’s 206 will come get us. "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28 Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world's tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. That re-assuring knowledge prepares him for everything. He looks over the raging waters and sees the spirit of Jesus treading the billows, and he hears a voice saying, "It is I, be not afraid." He knows too that God is always wise, and, knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes; that nothing can occur which ought not to arise. He can say, "If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than have, if God so wills: the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall to me if God ordains it." "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God." The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet; the poisonous drugs mixed in fit proportions have worked the cure; the sharp cuts of the lancet have cleansed out the proud flesh and facilitated the healing. Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so, believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil, the believer's heart is assured, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, "Send me what thou wilt, my God, so long as it comes from Thee; never came there an ill portion from Thy table to any of Thy children." "Say not my soul, 'From whence can God relieve my care? Remember that Omnipotence has servants everywhere. His method is sublime, His heart profoundly kind, God never is before His time, and never is behind.'" —Morning and Evening August 6. The world is very smokey. Don’t know if there is a hillside left green. It has been quite warm today after the many cold days we have had. Things are still very dry. The kids did well on their story practice today. They all read their new tokples books to me, except Bonita. She needs a bit more practice yet. They did two pages in their math book today, and we are going to try to finish the book this coming week. Will have to do two lessons a day on Monday and Tuesday in order to finish. Maik came for Bible school today, but Luke did not. He is probably still sick. Wan worked on putting ooqdi along the wall base in the laundry room today. And also around the pole in the opening in the living room where we will put shelves. Yesterday he put ooqdi along the top of the wall on the north side of the kitchen. That’s where a lot of wind comes in. "Let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen." Psalm 72:19 Photo: The children read the little books Mom made for them.  August 1. Praise the Lord for the much-needed rain He sent during the night. The world has been very dry. Gardens are dry too, so we are thankful for the few little potatoes, the greens, and the pumpkin they brought us this past week. When Daddy went back for the second service, I spent some time praying while stitching patches on a patch-work quilt. Then I went for nap. Slept a good while. The teachers were all here about 3:45 so had our teachers’ meeting. Then I cut Daddy’s hair. "Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn." Ruth 2:2 Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean today in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: "He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax." Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, He will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but He will not quench thee; He will blow with His sweet breath of mercy till He fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean another ear? "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." What soft words! Thy heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore He speaketh so gently to thee. Wilt thou not obey Him, and come to Him even now? Take another ear of corn: "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, saith the Lord and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." How canst thou fear with such a wonderful assurance as this? Thou mayest gather ten thousand such golden ears as these! "I have blotted out thy sins like a cloud, and like a thick cloud thy transgressions." Or this, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Or this, "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely." Our Master's field is very rich; behold the handfuls. See, there they lie before thee, poor timid believer! Gather them up, make them thine own, for Jesus bids thee take them. Be not afraid, only believe! Grasp these sweet promises, thresh them out by meditation and feed on them with joy. —Morning and Evening August 2. It has been a busy day. Cold too. Not much sun today. Jevin kept Frina out of school so he could take her to the haus sik. She has lost weight, and is not gaining back her strength very quickly. He had to wait for them to get done with the baby shots before they would see Frina. They put her on albendazole. Stephanas started feeling sick after he came to school so went home at recess time. This morning, we practiced once through the story of Noah for them to tell on family day. Tomorrow they will break into groups and practice their parts. Max finished lesson four this morning and has to start studying for his first test. Beni came and cut firewood. We have been using a lot on these cold days. Very busy this afternoon and evening, getting a lot of things ready for school. The Lord encouraged us this evening in that seven of the men came to work on translation. "Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will." Ephesians 1:11 August 3. Cold again today. I put a long-sleeved blouse on this morning. I got hot enough for a little while to be able to roll up the sleeves. Stephanas was back to school today. Said he was feeling better. Frina was back too. Stephanas made up his work at recess time, and Frina made up hers after school. She acts very tired and weak, but said she wasn’t too tired to make up her work. At the end of Bible class, and at the end of English class today, we divided into groups so the kids can practice their parts for family day. Jonas is going to be a good tokples reader, and Manila does very well dividing the words into syllables and sounding them out. Last night, I finished printing a new little book for them to read in tokples. Got them put together today. "The Lamb is the light thereof." Revelation 21:23 Light is also the emblem of knowledge. In heaven our knowledge will be perfect, but the Lord Jesus Himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never understood before, will then be clearly seen, and all that puzzles us now will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh! what unfoldings there will be and what glorifying of the God of love!—Morning and Evening Here is a picture of 2 of the pages in the second little reading book Mom made for the class.  July 30. A busy day. Pay day for Maura. Pay day for the teachers. And also for the translators. We finished up the Bible lesson in school this morning and had a quiz race. Also had a race in tokples, writing spelling words on the chalkboard. They learned new spelling words today, with the letter “q.” In English class, they had a test, and also a game to reinforce some of the things they have been learning. "And when he thought thereon, he wept." Mark 14:72 It has been thought by some that as long as Peter lived, the fountain of his tears began to flow whenever he remembered his denying his Lord. It is not unlikely that it was so, (for his sin was very great, and grace in him had afterwards a perfect work). This same experience is common to all the redeemed family according to the degree in which the Spirit of God has removed the natural heart of stone. We, like Peter, remember our boastful promise: "Though all men shall forsake Thee, yet will not I." We eat our own words with the bitter herbs of repentance. When we think of what we vowed we would be, and of what we have been, we may weep whole showers of grief. He thought on his denying his Lord. The place in which he did it, the little cause which led him into such heinous sin, the oaths and blasphemies with which he sought to confirm his falsehood, and the dreadful hardness of heart which drove him to do so again and yet again. Can we, when we are reminded of our sins, and their exceeding sinfulness, remain stolid and stubborn? Will we not make our house a Bochim, and cry unto the Lord for renewed assurances of pardoning love? May we never take a dry-eyed look at sin, lest ere long we have a tongue parched in the flames of hell. Peter also thought upon his Master's look of love. The Lord followed up the cock's warning voice with an admonitory look of sorrow, pity, and love. That glance was never out of Peter's mind so long as he lived. It was far more effectual than ten thousand sermons would have been without the Spirit. The penitent apostle would be sure to weep when he recollected the Saviour's full forgiveness, which restored him to his former place. To think that we have offended so kind and good a Lord is more than sufficient reason for being constant weepers. Lord, smite our rocky hearts, and make the waters flow. "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37 No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but, "I will in no wise cast out." The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out." The text means, that Christ will not at first reject a believer; and that as He will not do it at first, so He will not to the last. But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him." But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but He will "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; He will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow"; "From all their iniquities will I cleanse them." "Once in Christ, in Christ for ever, Nothing from His love can sever." "I give unto My sheep," saith He, "eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." What sayest thou to this, O trembling feeble mind? Is not this a precious mercy, that coming to Christ, thou dost not come to One who will treat thee well for a little while, and then send thee about thy business, but He will receive thee and make thee His bride, and thou shalt be His for ever? Receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father! Oh! the grace of these words: "I will in no wise cast out." —Morning and Evening July 31. Cloudy part of the day, and sunny part of the day. Wan finished cutting the grass along the fire line today. Tomas sharpened the saws. Beni put a “new” axe handle on our axe. It was actually a good old one that belonged to his father. Youth group today, with game time. Erik and Ben said there were around 17 in youth group. Ben and Rebecca came and visited for a while afterward. Mailin, Lilian, and Tania came this evening to help translate the story of Noah for the children to tell on family day next week. I have also finished another little reading booklet for tokples class and had them check that out with me. That only took a couple minutes. Then they wanted to look at pictures afterward so showed them the slide show of one of the old PNG picture files. "I in them." John 17:23 If such be the union which subsists between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind its way, it is a channel of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Behold He hath set before us an open door, let us not be slow to enter. This city of communion hath many pearly gates, every several gate is of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance! Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send a messenger to Him to carry Him our loves, and bring us tidings from His Father's house; but see His kindness, He has built His house next door to ours, nay, more, He takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor humble hearts, that so He may have perpetual intercourse with us. O how foolish must we be, if we do not live in habitual communion with Him. When the road is long, and dangerous, and difficult, we need not wonder that friends seldom meet each other, but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may when her husband is upon a journey, abide many days without holding converse with him, but she could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the chambers of her own house. Why, believer, dost not thou sit at His banquet of wine? Seek thy Lord, for He is near; embrace Him, for He is thy Brother. Hold Him fast, for He is thine Husband; and press Him to thine heart, for He is of thine own flesh. —Morning and Evening “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19 Here you can see a picture of the little book Mom made for the children to read. The title says, "Little Book 2"  July 27. Sunny dry morning. Clouds came up around noon, and the air turned cold. A few sprinkles of unmeasureable rain this afternoon. Winds not so strong as the past few days. Sosthenes still very sick and not in school today. Luke was here for Bible school, but Maik was not. Maik had hurt his foot so that may be why he wasn’t here. July 28. Not much sunshine today. Some drops of rain, but nothing to speak about. We were gratefully surprised that the clothes got dry. Waqmara was buried this morning. We could hear the SDA’s singing and preaching beforehand. I did not see Sosthenes in lotu, and his sister told me he was still very sick. But he was there for classes today. He seemed to handle it fine and didn’t get too tired. Even wanted to stay after and get caught up on some work. Frina finished catching up today on the work she had missed when she was sick. Tania took charge of tokples class today. She did okay, but is very soft spoken. Needs to learn to speak up louder. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 Few words, but yet an exquisite miniature of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are not many touches, but they are the strokes of a master's pencil. Of the Saviour and only of the Saviour is it true in the fullest, broadest, and most unqualified sense. "He went about doing good." From this description it is evident that He did good personally. The evangelists constantly tell us that He touched the leper with His own finger, that He anointed the eyes of the blind, and that in cases where He was asked to speak the word only at a distance, He did not usually comply, but went Himself to the sick bed, and there personally wrought the cure. A lesson to us, if we would do good, to do it ourselves. Give alms with your own hand; a kind look, or word, will enhance the value of the gift. Speak to a friend about his soul; your loving appeal will have more influence than a whole library of tracts. Our Lord's mode of doing good sets forth His incessant activity! He did not only the good which came close to hand, but He "went about" on His errands of mercy. Throughout the whole land of Judea there was scarcely a village or a hamlet which was not gladdened by the sight of Him. How this reproves the creeping, loitering manner, in which many professors serve the Lord. Let us gird up the loins of our mind, and be not weary in well doing. Does not the text imply that Jesus Christ went out of His way to do good? "He went about doing good." He was never deterred by danger or difficulty. He sought out the objects of His gracious intentions. So must we. If old plans will not answer, we must try new ones, for fresh experiments sometimes achieve more than regular methods. Christ's perseverance, and the unity of His purpose, are also hinted at, and the practical application of the subject may be summed up in the words, "He hath left us an example that we should follow in His steps." —Morning and Evening July 29. School went pretty well today. The kids were really wound up for some reason. They had a little test in tokples class today, matching a list of their spelling words with appropriate pictures. They did quite a few papers in math class today and still finished early. But that was fine as it gave us extra time for English class. We spent some time reviewing monologues. Then they had questions about the days, months, colors, etc. Then they made a sailboat picture, thinking about the color word “blue” which they just learned. Max finished lesson 2 in Bible school today and got done a little early. He had his Bible verse all memorized in tokples. "Nevertheless I am continually with Thee." Psalm 73:23 "Nevertheless,"—As if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings "nevertheless I am continually with Thee." Believer, you are forced to enter into Asaph's confession and acknowledgment, endeavour in like spirit to say "nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God!" By this is meant continually upon His mind, He is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before His eye;—the eye of the Lord never sleepeth, but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in His hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on His heart, worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon his heart for ever. Thou always thinkest of me, O God. The bowels of Thy love continually yearn towards me. Thou art always making providence work for my good. Thou hast set me as a signet upon thine arm; thy love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it. Surprising grace! Thou seest me in Christ, and though in myself abhorred, Thou beholdest me as wearing Christ's garments, and washed in His blood, and thus I stand accepted in Thy presence. I am thus continually in Thy favour—"continually with Thee." Here is comfort for the tried and afflicted soul; vexed with the tempest within—look at the calm without. "Nevertheless"—O say it in thy heart, and take the peace it gives. "Nevertheless I am continually with Thee." —Morning and Evening Photos: Sailboats on blue   July 24. Thank the Lord, my eye was a bit better this morning. At least it wasn’t pussy, and not quite as red. Still had a lot of pain. By evening, the pain had gone down some. I was thankful for that, as I still had quite a bit to do to get ready for school this next week. It is hard to work at the computer when the eye is hurting, so worked for a little while, then took a break and did something else. In between getting things ready for school, and for Bible school, for this coming week, I also did some house cleaning. Daddy helped me rearrange the bedroom so the recliner would fit better and would have room to recline. Didn’t have to do any baking today. Daddy still has cookies left, and there is still plenty of granola. So was able to get more done on school preparations since I didn’t feel like doing much yesterday. In the afternoon, I cleaned the bathroom. Frina and two of the teachers came after the generator was off in the morning. Lilian and Tania helped catch Frina up on some of the work she missed when she was sick. She just has a few math pages and a couple speed drills left to catch up on. Wan worked more on the fire line. Still has a little bit left to do. July 25. A cold, clear morning. Thankful for the wood stove, and for the sunshine to warm up the air quickly. Just before we went to bed last night, we got word that Waqmara had just died. Our biggest concern is that it wasn’t clear if he were saved. And we are not sure about his family either. Even though they were church goers, there doesn’t seem to be evidence of salvation. My eye looked a lot better this morning, but was burning a lot. It was a blessing to be able to talk to Christy and Connie this morning from inside the house. Daddy put the phone on the kitchen table and was able to make a connection. Even though no bars showed the whole time, we had clear reception for a half hour. I was thankful not to have to go out in the wind. Nuanda preached the first meeting today. Preached against lying. Daddy preached the second, giving the introduction to Romans chapter 2. We began to wonder about Waqmara when there was no announcement about his dying, and there didn’t seem to be any crying or anything going on. Found out later that they just thought he died because his eyes closed tight and his body got stiff. But Jevin went over to check on him and found that his heart was still beating. He is about the same today. “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant….” Genesis 32:10 July 26. Am thankful that my eye is a lot better today. Weather is still very dry, and we are getting very strong afternoon winds. The house gets a mess with all the ashes that are blown in. The people’s gardens are getting dry, and they don’t seem to have much right now. About the only things people have been bringing us are greens and pumpkin, and only now and then. We have been getting quite a few eggs, for which we thank the Lord. They are much nicer than the town eggs, even though they are smaller. And we have been getting some popo and bananas. But we haven’t had much for vegetables. Waqmara did die last night. There will be mourning tonight, but they will not wait a long time to bury his body. He has been sick a long time, and his body is quite swollen. I believe Jevin said the body was oozing fluids. Sosthenes was not in school this morning. Later in the morning, Daddy went up to the airstrip to see the men who were cutting grass. When he was on his way down, he met Matyu and Sosthenes coming up. They had just been to the haus sik and Sosthenes had had a shot. The students had a test in Bible class this morning. Then the boys finished the ark. Max helped them during his Bible school break. That was nice. The girls made the stands for the animals and got the animals all set up. They forgot about making people, but there is still time for them to do that. In English class, they learned the color blue. "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. " 2Peter 1:5-7 If thou wouldest enjoy the eminent grace of the full assurance of faith, under the blessed Spirit's influence, and assistance, do what the Scripture tells thee, "Give diligence." Take care that thy faith is of the right kind—that it is not a mere belief of doctrine, but a simple faith, depending on Christ, and on Christ alone. Give diligent heed to thy courage. Plead with God that He would give thee the face of a lion, that thou mayest, with a consciousness of right, go on boldly. Study well the Scriptures, and get knowledge; for a knowledge of doctrine will tend very much to confirm faith. Try to understand God's Word; let it dwell in thy heart richly. When thou hast done this, "Add to thy knowledge temperance." Take heed to thy body: be temperate without. Take heed to thy soul: be temperate within. Get temperance of lip, life, heart, and thought. Add to this, by God's Holy Spirit, patience; ask Him to give thee that patience which endureth affliction, which, when it is tried, shall come forth as gold. Array yourself with patience, that you may not murmur nor be depressed in your afflictions. When that grace is won look to godliness. Godliness is something more than religion. Make God's glory your object in life; live in His sight; dwell close to Him; seek for fellowship with Him; and thou hast "godliness"; and to that add brotherly love. Have a love to all the saints: and add to that a charity, which openeth its arms to all men, and loves their souls. When you are adorned with these jewels, and just in proportion as you practise these heavenly virtues, will you come to know by clearest evidence "your calling and election." "Give diligence," if you would get assurance, for lukewarmness and doubting very naturally go hand in hand. —Morning and Evening Three more pictures - 1. Noah's ark animals 2. and 3. Bible school photos    July 20. Mumut hunting day. People were off to the kunai (tall grass) early this morning. Some people went and slept there last night. There were fires all over the mountainsides today. As soon as school was dismissed the school kids were off and running. The strong winds blew ashes into the house, and there are ashes everywhere. Serah went mumut hunting too so did not come to work this afternoon. She had told me yesterday that she probably would not be here. I did the dishes this afternoon, after I washed my hair; and Daddy took out the garbage. Frina was back in school today, but she did not look really well yet. When she left, she went home and went to sleep. I could tell she was getting tired. We will wait until she feels a little stronger before we try to catch her up on her work. All the kids said their new Bible verse this morning, including Frina. Ephraim was the first one to say his this time. The kids did much better on their English dialogue today. July 21. Serah slept down in the kunai last night so didn’t get here until about 7:30. I already had the clothes washed, so she had the rinsing to do. Said she got three mumuts. They are smaller than a cat, but bigger than a rat. A few of them that survive longer are about the size of a cat. Maura still came by herself to look after the door. She had said that Vinet would be coming back, but now she has learned that Vinet will be staying in town a while. Since lotu ended early, we started school a little earlier. Sosthenes was not there today. He is sick now. Whatever this sickness is that is going around, people get really bad headaches with vomiting. The medical workers said it is just a strong malaria, but it doesn’t seem that way to us. It doesn’t respond to malaria treatment; just seems to have to take its course; is epidemic; and after people start feeling better, it takes them quite a while to get their strength back. Frina is still not feeling really well so, even though she is back in school, she is not ready to start catching up on missed work yet. In tokples today, we learned a new letter — d. Math class went well until the last worksheet, which was writing the numbers, counting by 5’s. They had counted by 5’s many times orally, but half of them could not figure out how to write the numbers on paper. So the ones who finished were dismissed at the end of school, and the other five had to stay and have help finishing their paper. So they will do the same paper again tomorrow. “…fear not, for I am with thee….” Genesis 26:24 July 22. Sosthenes was back in school today, although he said he was still not feeling well. We finished the Bible lesson today, the first half of the story of Noah. Then we had a quiz with team competition. Mailin took charge of tokples class today. She seems to have a cold. The plane never made it in yesterday, but they did get in today. However, they plane encountered a problem; and when they finally took off, headed straight for Hagen for repairs. So Nuanda and others still did not get out to town. My throat is very, very sore this evening; and my eye is very red, painful, and pussy. I started back on antibiotic this evening. July 23. I was thankful for the Lord’s sufficient grace for today. And for a fairly good rest last night. I did get up twice to clean my eye and take some Echinacea. When I got up this morning, my eye was full of pus and nearly glued shut. It is bothering me quite a bit this evening so will probably go to bed again soon. After opening exercises and Bible verse review this morning, I took the class outside to try to give them an idea of the actual size of the ark that Noah built. Used the 330 foot tape measure and added another 120 feet. That was the length. It went all the way from the fence on the far side of our house, past Nuanda’s house, past the medical workers’ houses, past the church building and up to the edge of the haus sik property. Then we came back and measured 75 feet for the width. And I pointed out a tree that I guessed to be around 45 feet high. Wow! That must have been quite a structure, and taken quite a bit of time to build without all the modern tools that men have today! After that, I sent the boys outside with the pieces of ooqdi Daddy had cut to make the model ark. Daniel was here fixing the front steps, and he agreed to help the boys learn how to smooth out the ooqdi for the model. The girls worked inside, painting the roof that I had made out of some heavy white corrugated board. On Monday, the boys will nail the ark together, and the girls will work on making stands for the animals. I don’t have any people, but the kids said they have some ideas for making some. So I told them we need eight people to go with the ark. I thought they would probably have some ideas. They are pretty creative. Mailin took charge of tokples class again. We finished a little early, and I had them read their little books again before going out for recess. In math class, there were a lot of work papers to do today. And in English class, they worked on their new monologue and painted a picture of fire, using the colors they have been learning — red, yellow, and orange. Before they started painting, they cut logs out of brown paper and pasted them on their large sheet. Stephanas and Frina did a really good job on theirs. Wan worked on re-cutting the fire line today. There have been lots of fires on the mountains these dry days so we want to keep the fire line cut down. Eleven men showed up tonight and worked on checking translation of Matyu with Daniel and Daddy. Daniel is still working by himself translating Acts. He finished chapter 18 the other day. Much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, much blessed, shall we dare to put forth our hand unto evil? God forbid! —Morning and Evening "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1John 1:7 --Morning and Evening "Sins against a holy God; Sins against His righteous laws; Sins against His love, His blood; Sins against His name and cause; Sins immense as is the sea- From them all He cleanseth me." —Morning and Evening Below are several photos. 1. Pictures of fire that the children made. 2. Girls painting the roof of the ark model. 3. Boys outside with their pieces of ooqdi wood that Daniel helped them with. These were used for building the model ark.    July 17. The Lord gave us another very dry day, but a very beautiful day. The sky was so blue and clear. A dark cloud came up overhead in the afternoon and dropped 100 drops of rain perhaps, but then disappeared into blue sky again. Much of the day was busy again with preparations for school this coming week. I wanted to do some cleaning; but after the laundry was done, and Serah had been paid, and left, we didn’t have water much of the rest of the day. Daddy and I did take time out to do one project. We covered the opening between the kitchen and dining room with a piece of pitpit that we had saved downstairs. It doesn’t need to be open now that we don’t have ladies’ meetings in here. Maybe next weekend, we can get some shelves made in the living room side of that opening. There was youth group today too. Daddy left Ben in charge so he could be here and get some things done. Ben said there were 25 there today. We need to sit down and talk with Ben about how or what to do to get the youth group more involved in serving and working and doing things together. This afternoon, after the water finally came back on, I was able to clean the bathroom. Later I made peanut butter cookies for Daddy, and made granola. Then it was time for supper and dishes, and then more computer work in the evening. So I think I have everything ready now for school to start on Monday morning. There were lots of interruptions today too with people coming to the door. It can be wearying sometimes, but I have been asking the Lord to help me think of each knock on the door as an opportunity, rather than an interruption. “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?...” Genesis 18:14 “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19 “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25 "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." 1Thessalonians 1:4 Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ, but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be discovered by "looking unto Jesus." If you desire to ascertain your own election;—after the following manner, shall you assure your heart before God. Do you feel yourself to be a lost, guilty sinner? go straightway to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell Him that you have read in the Bible, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Tell Him that He has said, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Look to Jesus and believe on Him, and you shall make proof of your election directly, for so surely as thou believest, thou art elect. If you will give yourself wholly up to Christ and trust Him, then you are one of God's chosen ones; but if you stop and say, "I want to know first whether I am elect," you ask you know not what. Go to Jesus, be you never so guilty, just as you are. Leave all curious inquiry about election alone. Go straight to Christ and hide in His wounds, and you shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall be given to you, so that you shall be able to say, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to Him." Christ was at the everlasting council: He can tell you whether you were chosen or not; but you cannot find it out in any other way. Go and put your trust in Him, and His answer will be—"I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." There will be no doubt about His having chosen you, when you have chosen Him. "Sons we are through God's election, Who in Jesus Christ believe." —Morning and Evening July 18. Well, it has been quite a day. I am so thankful that God is my strength and my song. The three teachers were here early this afternoon, so I met with them around 3:00. This evening Erisapet came to talk a little bit. I was thankful she came. She wanted me to pray with her, and wants us to be in prayer for her. I did pray with her, but I shared some verses with her first, assuring her of God’s promise to forgive when we confess our sins. No matter what people do or say, God does not change. He always keeps His promises, and He has promised not to remember our sins anymore. I exhorted her to read the Bible, because it is God’s Word that will give her strength to stand, and will also give her victory in time of temptation. “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.” Genesis 21:1 July 19. Expected Frina to be back in school today as she had been up and around over the weekend. However, when she went to wash this morning, she felt cold and started feeling sick again. So she did not come. I was sorry she could not be there. Maura came by herself this morning to watch the door. Vinet has gone to Okapa, to take coffee, I think. Tania took charge of school opening this morning, and will be in charge of that all this week. I was busy doing something and didn’t even notice that she had forgotten the anthem and pledge, until Mailin said something. So she sent the kids back for the anthem and pledge. In tokples today, they learned new spelling words with the letter “ah.” They did two lessons in math today. This was their first day to have subtraction problems on their speed drill. Two of them didn’t finish, and three of them missed several. In English class, they practiced their dialogue more, and also learned about the clock. They are learning about the clock in math class too. Lots of fires around today, and a big fire on the other side of the haus sik going up the hill to Yeropeq (airstrip area). Everything is very dry, and the wind was very strong so the fire moved fast and furiously. There was no way to stop it if it had gotten out of control. Daddy said that Max is very slow in reading and writing and comprehending, so Daddy had to read things very slowly with him. "A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench." Matthew 12:20 Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and lovingkindness! How it opens to us the compassion of Jesus—so gentle, tender, considerate! We need never shrink back from His touch. We need never fear a harsh word from Him; though He might well chide us for our weakness, He rebuketh not. Bruised reeds shall have no blows from Him, and the smoking flax no damping frowns.—Morning and Evening Enjoyed reading Genesis chapter 22 today and thinking of the analogies between Christ and Isaac. Both “only sons,” beloved of their father. Both willingly offered as a sacrifice — their fathers did not withhold them — to be smitten of their fathers. Both carried the wood (for Christ, it was a cross ) upon which they were to be offered. Through the willingness of both fathers to make the offering, the whole world received a blessing. The difference — Isaac was redeemed, for he was a sinner and needed a Redeemer. Christ gave His life and became the Redeemer for Isaac and all mankind, for in Him was no sin. This picture shows the red butterflies the children made; these were mentioned in the last post.  |
 Lewis and Judy Young
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March 2016
CategoriesThis clock shows the time in Papua New Guinea - 14 hours ahead of Easter Standard Time during Daylight Savings. And 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time the rest of the year.
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