Well, here are Mom's journal notes - from January 4th through January 11th. These notes will be uploaded in three posts. Items marked in bold are special prayer request. Thank you for continuing to pray that God will build a strong church in Owena, Papua New Guinea.
January 4. No rain last night or today, but still lots of clouds and wind, with periods of sunshine and some blue sky.
Just a small group here for lotu this morning. Erisapet’s mother was here, and Erisapet continues to ask prayer for her salvation. After the meeting, Daddy talked with the men about visiting regular attendees (especially those who exhibit a desire to be a part of church ministries) and helping them to understand the need for becoming members. He also sought to encourage Eric to stand up boldly before the people when he reads the Scripture and to ask the Lord to help him not to think about what people think of him. He also asked Mike to take turns with Eric in Scripture reading.
After the meeting, I swept the office and kitchen areas. Then organized and moved more shop stuff out of Connie’s room. I didn’t do much though before I got too tired. I am really wiped out with this cold. Next I got e-mails in, and then wrote e-mails to Pastor Surret and Pastor Ogle. We couldn’t get connection for sending them, however. Did a little more organizing and moving stuff before warming up dinner. Before we got to lie down for nap, Wan came to make the clothesline so Daddy and I went out to help him know where to place it and how big to make it. Then Justin and Wamara came to work on the gates. Wenke was here weaving pitpit, but he often watches the door for us while we nap. I finally got my nap, but Daddy didn’t get to have one. He was tired too.
Felt a little better after nap and got journal notes ready to send to Christy and Connie. Then wrote them an e-mail. Was finally able to get a connection and send off all the e-mails. Did more organizing and moving things. We are trying hard to get everything out of Connie’s room so we can get it finished.
I waited a while for Daddy to come in for supper, but he was helping the men finish up the clothesline and gates so I finally ate by myself. While I was eating, I started on some introductory notes for starting the actual outreach ministry. While Daddy was eating, I did the dishes. Then there was printing to do — more booklets for the witnessing class, Bible memory verse cards to give out to the students, a copy of the gospel of Matyu for Mike.
People are here this evening for class, and Daddy is out there teaching them. I have plenty of work to do at the computer this evening.
“35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)” Acts 10:35,36
January 5. Rained most of the night, but the Lord gave us a dry day today with some sunshine too. I have not felt well at all today. Started on amoxicillin last night because I wasn’t feeling well. Have had this cold over two weeks, and nothing seemed to be helping. But then I felt worse today — probably should have kept taking all the supplements as well as the amoxicillin.
This morning, after breakfast and quiet time, Daddy and I got busy in Connie’s bedroom. Got her bathroom swept out and stacked all the plywood and lumber in there. Sorted out all the small wood pieces into boxes of different sized pieces and stacked those boxes in the bathroom too. Daddy pulled out nails and took out screws that were in some pieces of lumber. Stacked all the ooqdi and poles in the meeting room for the men to put under the house when they came to work. Daddy put braces on Connie's bed, as it was getting somewhat rocky.
Justin and Wamara spent a long time trying to level the floor out as much as they could. Tomorrow morning, Daddy and I will try to lay the linoleum. Then on Saturday, Erisapet and Repeka plan to scrub the walls.
This afternoon, Justin and Wamara put ooqdi around the pitpit on the side of the laundry room cupboard. They also helped Wenke put up the pieces he had ready to go above the doorways.
Wan worked on the roof a bit, putting hydroseal on the chimney so water wouldn’t leak down inside. He also dug a ditch around the generator shed, closer to the shed to keep the rain from going inside.
Mid-morning I worked for a while on the introductory notes for outreach. Then I made a casserole for dinner with all the leftovers, fixed up a pot of greens (some for us and some for the workers), and a pot of rice for the workers.
After nap, I sent an e-mail Daddy had written and then worked more on the outreach notes. Taro came and pulled weeds.
After supper, Apekio came to visit a little while.
“23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.” Acts 11:23,24