Papua New Guinea

September 18th, 2010

Reflections (for lack of a more original title)

Wow, I absolutely can't believe that I've been back for a month. And even after a month of reflecting on my  time in PNG, I still have no idea how to sum up all that I've learned, all that I saw. I want you to feel that you got to experience it with me, at least partially, because in a way you did.

While you may not have physically been in Papua New Guinea with me, you were with me in spirit, faithfully lifting me and the people I was encountering up in prayer. And it truly is through your support that I was able to go at all. Without those who will be faithful to the Lord in sending people to be missionaries there would be no one going. "So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... If a man's gift is serving, let him serve;…if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously" Romans 12:5-8

If you've been reading The Red Van, you've heard my stories, so I won't try and summarize my whole summer. It would be far too long anyway. But I do want to share with you some of the impact this summer had on me personally. As a team we made a pretty big impact in the things we got to help with, especially the translation course. But I want to share with you, how I've grown, how this experience changed me, and how you helped me change.

In all honesty, I can't fully put a finger on every aspect of how my time in PNG changed me yet. But I do know, I'm not the same as I was when I left. I feel so blessed to have been to such a beautiful country and spent time with such incredible people.

Seeing the ways that God is working in the hearts of the Sob, Akukem, and  Ap-Ma people (just to name a few) was beyond encouraging. It was thrilling. Seeing their hunger, made me hungry. Seeing them transforming, I was transformed. I was so blessed to see the faith of missionaries and national translators in action, to see the work they are doing for the name of Jesus to be made known. It has challenged me, and my faith, to act. You see, in order to walk in faith, you have to take a step.

One of my goals for the summer was to see what life is really like for missionaries on the field. To learn from them and to test myself, in an effort to discern if God is truly calling me to a life in missions. I am thrilled to tell you that that goal was accomplished. I can now confidently say that I believe God is calling me to a life in missions. Because of my experiences this summer, I can see clearly some of the struggles that may lie down that path, but I can also see many of the joys. I feel so very blessed to have been used by God, and to hope to be used by him more and more, both in the states and overseas.

Building relationships with both missionaries and nationals this summer, God revealed to me something in them that was lacking in my own life; a passionate love and deep value of the Bible. The nationals see the value in the Word of God. It's God's Word, given to us, somehow I'd failed to really grasp that concept, but the men I got to know at the course knew it at a heart level. And they work with everything they have to bring it to their people in their language, because it's worth it. The missionaries know its value, they see it very tangibly on a daily basis. And they love it. Really love it. I thought I loved the Bible, but God showed me, I only really loved it's affects, the things that it did for me. I didn't love it, because I was hanging on every word my Creator, my Savior, my God had spoken. I was blessed not only to come to the knowledge of this flaw in my own walk, but also to see what it looks like to love the Bible that way. Since then, I've come to love the Word of God more as the incredible gift that it is. Not as much as I'd like to, but I'm growing. 

Being in Papua New Guinea was hard, absolutely, there were tears on more than one occasion, especially at goodbyes. But through it I grew more than I think I ever could have expected. My teammates became some of my closest friends, and in them I learned what it truly means to be the body, to rely on each other and to encourage one another. I love them all so dearly. I learned that life is rarely ever what you expected, but it's amazing what God does when you let him show you what he expected.

I want to thank you again for your prayers, love, support, and generosity. I'll never be the same.

Love & Blessings,

Court

September 4th, 2010

My Least Favorite Word

Goodbye. The single word I despise the most in the English language. In fact, I have a general distaste for the entire concept. I hate the thought that I might not see someone again. So naturally saying goodbye to people I've come to love, to a place I've loved, just plain sucks.

I don't know whether God will send me back to Papua New Guinea or not. But I hope and pray that I will see all of my new friends and loved ones in heaven one day (if not sooner). Saying goodbye is painful. It was awful leaving Igoi, saying goodbye for an hour and a half while waiting for our chopper. It was heartbreaking leaving the course, getting the most awkward and meaningful hugs I've ever had from the Akukem guys. And it was tearful leaving the staff and the country at the airport when we began our journey home. It was so hard leaving Dallas and my teammates.  But it was exciting to come home, to see my friends and family who I had missed.  The excitement and the welcoming helps make the sadness pass. But coming home is still one of the  hardest things to do. Nevermind the reverse culture shock (which is very real, in case you were wondering). I left a piece of my heart in PNG. I don't want it back. But it's hard.

It's weird adjusting back to life in America; to full bands with bases and drummers and amplifiers at worship; to Walmart, where just about anything you could ever need or want is at your fingertips; to television, movies, and the reality of how quickly popular culture changes. Coming home is rather lonely, really, as wonderful as it is to be with family and friends, it's impossible to share the same things with them as I did with my teammates, the incredible people that I no longer get to see on a daily  basis. It's hard trying to share with others what I experienced, how on earth do I sum it all up? But it's so encouraging to have people ask, and want to hear.

Then life moves on, that's the really strange part. Classes start again. Activities start again. Friendships are renewed. And it's easy to forget the purpose that I found. But then something reminds me, (I happen to think it's usually the Holy Spirit) and I can't help but send up a prayer of thanksgiving for Papua New Guinea.

Goodbyes are awful. But "Hello Again", has been far harder to say than I had expected, I know God isn't done using this experience to teach me. I hope, in some way, it has also touched you.

In Love,

Court

July 31st, 2010

Blessed Orphans

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18

There are currently 8 orphaned PBT language projects in Papua New Guinea. These are languages who had missionaries working with them at one time, but for whatever reason, the missionaries have left, some of them decades ago. These language groups continue working on their own, for the sake of the Word of the Everlasting coming to their people and transforming lives. When they have things done as much as they can do on their own, they wait for the next available translator, who is likely assigned to another language group, to come and help them as a consultant and point them in the next direction. And then they’re on their own again, until the next consultant comes in.  

These people are an inspiration. Working hard and overcoming obstacles that stand in their way, it’s obvious to the whole world that God is at work in them. He’s here. It’s written all over this place. The people are hungry, but that doesn’t mean the Lord is absent, it’s evidence that he is here. These “orphans” make up many of the groups represented here at the course. Sitting in a room with half of the national translators here, (the back translation side of the course), I can’t help but be thrilled by their hard work and concentration. Each one of them is digging through papers, digesting new concepts and puting them to the test. It’s incredible. These people, work on their own, without any driving motivation other than the Holy Spirit at work within them. This course is going to have a huge impact, because it’s giving these people more skills and a deeper knowledge of how to use them to bring them closer to the goal of a translation in their language. It’s teaching them two more steps in the process. Two steps that will allow them to keep moving forward. God has already done so much here, and this course brings even more hope for the future.

The Akukem language group, which I am working with for the back translation part of this course, is an incredible example of one of these orphaned groups. The three guys working on the back translation part of the course have been working night and day since we got here, wanting to do as much as they can to learn. They worked until ten o’clock last night, translating and back translating, as they did the night before. And our days start at seven. Talk about a long day. I’ve been trying to type up all they hand me, and they are keeping me very busy. I couldn’t be happier. If they are willing to work each night until they have to lock up, I will work as long as it takes to keep up with them. They are definitely going above and beyond what has been asked of them.

The Akukem are special in the orphaned projects realm. They never had a missionary working with them. In a sense, they were born orphans. They simply have a hunger so deep that they came to PBT, 25 years ago asking for a translator to come and work with them. Since then, they’ve continued to pray hard and have been shouldering nearly the whole burden of work themselves, as there has not been anyone to send. But as I continue to learn through this entire experience, God is faithful, he has blessed them with such drive, and they are doing incredible things.

The Bible is priceless. It is the Word of the Almighty, and it opens the door to a deeper knowledge of the Lord. The Akukem know it’s value, and that it is well worth the work. Their devotion is teaching me to value the Word more and more. But don’t underestimate the Bible-less peoples. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that they don’t know the Lord, they can’t be doing his will, following him, because they don’t have the written Word. My friends, God is not confined by anything, certainly not his own word. The Bible-less can know him, and do his will, following him faithfully. It is only by the incredible blessing of the Holy Spirit that any of us can do this, and thankfully, a Bible is not a prerequisite for such a wonderful blessing. I’m begining to see how the least of these, the orphans, are the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  

July 13th, 2010
The crazy internet chronicles continue. But I finally have most of my stories typed up so here they are! They're in some form of organization, though how much sense it makes I'm not sure. Earliest ones are farther down. Please don't feel like you have to read them all at once. I didn't write them all at once, they're just being put up all at once. Thanks for taking the time to stay posted!

Praises & Prayer Requests

I thought I’d write a section devoted to this for quick reference. Thank you all for your prayers so much. “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

PRAISES

•      Safe travels, into country, and about the country, and personal health and safety.
•       Deep connections with my teammates.
•       Impact of the beauty of creation in the form of a new surrounding.
•       Eyes being continually opened to needs and to the work of God’s hands.
•       Language learning growth.
•       Relationships with people in Igoi and with missionaries and branch staff.
•       Opportunities to observe the translation process first-hand and to participate in the course.
•       General fun times!

PRAYER REQUESTS

•       Energy and retention of the material being presented at the course for all those attending.
•       The course to run smoothly
•       Continued health and safety
•       Internet issues to be resolved for the PNG branch
•       Spiritual growth
•       Determination to work as unto the Lord
•       Comfort through homesickness
•       Communication and language learning throughout the course.
•       Discernment for God’s will with regard to full-time missions work.

Of Course – It’s Kind of a Big Deal.

I thought I would give you all a look ahead to the next 3 weeks of my life as sometime in the next 24 hours my fellow interns, several missionaries, and many national translators, and I are heading to an intensive Translation Course. I likely won’t have internet access, but I’ll try and give you a brief overview of what we’re hoping to accomplish and in 3 weeks I can give you all an update on how it all really went down.

The Translation Course has been in the works for several months now. A lot of prayer, planning, and hard work and it’s almost here. It’s the first one the branch has ever put on and it’s really exciting. The purpose of the course is to train national translators in how to do back-translation and accuracy checking so they can take more responsibility with their language projects.

Back-translation and accuracy checking are integral parts of the translation process. A back-translation is basically a very literal translation from the vernacular language back into Tok Pisin or English. Once a scripture has been back-translated an outside consultant can come in and exegetically check the scripture, making sure nothing has been left out, miss-translated, added, or is just plain wrong. And from there it can be revised. And checked again!

Accuracy checking is where you take the translated text and share it with a group of speakers who were not involved in the translation. Then you ask questions and have discussions to make sure the text is conveying the meaning that it is supposed to. It’s also where you find a lot of translation errors and funny stories. Both very necessary to the whole process, and if the national translators can learn to work on these areas it will really help a lot of translation projects keep moving!

Many of these language groups are “orphaned projects” meaning a translation project was started, but for various reasons the residing missionaries left and there were not enough people to fill all the needs. So the national translators have been working on their own the best they can and waiting for missionaries to other language groups to come and help as much as possible. This course will empower a lot of national translators to bring the Word of God to their own language and has the potential to really make a huge impact.

The course is three weeks long and split up into two groups, back-translation & accuracy checking. I’ll be working in the back-translation half with one of the language groups represented, doing a lot of data entry and formatting and going over meanings with the national translators, as well as getting to sit in on the sessions being taught by some of the missionaries. It’s a bit overwhelming and I feel way under-qualified, but very privileged to be a part of what God is doing here. I know he will provide and prepare us all for what we need to do over the next few weeks.

Please be praying for the course and the national translators as well as all of the missionaries and interns involved. God willing this is going to be an intense and impactful ride!

 

The Haus Sik

Our second round in Madang, post-bush, has brought about many opportunities. Because of our increased language and cultural knowledge, as well as general knowledge of the layout of the town we’ve had more freedom. Which means greater opportunities to experience town. A couple of the missionaries here took a group of interns to the hospital here and I got to go. I was excited to see what the conditions were like and to get to talk to a couple of the patients and pray for them.

There was a boy with a severe boil on his leg there from one of the missionaries’ villages. His mom had brought him to the hospital and was recovering from Tuberculosis herself. We brought them coconuts to drink and a couple of bottles of water. As we pulled up to the Haus Sik, one of the missionaries informed us that the hospital sometimes runs out of water. And with that piece of information in mind we began our tour.

From the outside, it almost looks like a resort, if a little run down, still in pretty good shape considering the rest of the town. As we walked through the courtyard it seemed as though maybe my expectations would be exceeded. The hospital is laid out with separate buildings for each ward and covered walkways joining each. The closer we got to the wards the more I realized, this wasn’t as pristine as I had hoped. No sterile areas, no strange hospital smell that we know in the states, though the open air courtyards helped to ease the smell of disease.

Our first stop was the Sores & Leprosy Ward where the boy and his mother were. Even having seen hospitals like the Haus Sik in movies, it was still a bit of a shock to walk in there. It was set up barracks style beds on each side, no patient privacy. People with bandages in every bed and a couple on the floor, one woman looked as though she had lost all of her digits on both hands and feet. It was one of the hardest sights I’ve seen here. Though certainly not the only one. The boy we had come to visit was on the other side of the room, and after chatting for a bit we prayed for him, and let him go back to sleep.

From there we went to the children’s TB ward to pass out some candy, and generally tour and encourage the kids and their parents. A lot of very sick kids, and a lot of worried parents, in a big room… another hard sight, but one that spurs you on to want to do something, and in our case the only thing we could do was pray. So I prayed. And we provided some entertainment and a few sweets and hoped to cheer up their day. I’m so thankful for the experience, and for God opening my eyes more to the need here. I hope to go back if I get a chance to.

 


Only in PNG

My teammates and I were inspired by Lisa’s only in Mexico post… here is the fruit of our inspiration;

Only in PNG can you not tell the difference between a dog barking and a rooster crowing.

Only in PNG do you flush live geckos down the toilet.

Only in PNG do you sweat 50 gallons a day.

Only in PNG do you save your napkins.

Only in PNG are you excited to watch Indiana Jones on a two-inch screen.

Only in PNG does speaking Spanish come second nature.

Only in PNG do you see a baby pig on a leash pulled out of a purse.

Only in PNG do you watch a seven-year-old with a machete carrying a tree.

Only in PNG do you see every kid over 4 run up and down a mountain, barefoot, with a machete.

Only in PNG do you see a baby hanging from a tree, unmonitored, in a bag.

Only in PNG do people think to combine a fruit, and lime, and spit it on the ground.

Only in PNG do you mistake bats for birds.

Only in PNG are you encouraged to cram as many people into a vehicle as possible.

Only in PNG do you lock yourself into a building two doors from a raging fire.

Only in PNG do you shower out of a bucket.

Only in PNG do you get to play a continuous game of Mad Gab for 8 weeks. (in reference to Tok Pisin)

Only in PNG do you get yelled at when your stuff falls on the ground.

Only in PNG do you chase chickens for entertainment.

Only in PNG is a bra referred to as a boob fence.

Only in PNG is everything you eat the best ________ you’ve ever had.

Only in PNG is a two-year-old encouraged to play with a rusty knife over a potato.

Only in PNG can you plant a twig, come back a week later, and find it’s grown into a tree.

Only in PNG is it illegal to step over a weed.

Only in PNG is it safer to walk down the middle of the road than on the sidewalk.

Only in PNG do you hear a sermon in a completely foreign language and hear random words like, “lifestyle” and “creation”.

Only in PNG do you see a picture of Caroline Kennedy and Barak Obama on the wall of a dirt-floored grass hut.

Only in PNG do you realize the true meaning behind “paper-thin walls”.

Only in PNG do I drink hot chocolate in 95 degree heat.

Only in PNG is there a committee assigned to watch over the white girls.

Only in PNG do you play volleyball with bamboo poles.

Only in PNG do you go on a missions trip and shower more than you did stateside.

Only in PNG does everyone narrate their every action.

Only in PNG do stars actually twinkle.

 

Bungkai

One of the cultural practices in Papua New Guinea is a big gathering event known as a Bungkai. “Bungkai” translates to ‘bring food’ and is sort of the PNG version of a pot luck. All the women help in the prepping and cooking of the food together and all of the men help in the hunting. It’s an all day event really.

The people of Igoi held a bungkai for us as a traditional farewell our last night in the village. As we had been living with the people and had been called “PNG Mamas” we, of course, helped with the prepping and cooking as much as we could. They prepared a feast for us. Killing two chickens and having hunted somewhere close to 50 large eels the night before. They had gathered many bananas and potatoes and taro and all kinds of goodness and were stewing it all together.

We helped in whatever ways the women deemed it appropriate. I’m pretty sure they thought none of us knew how to peel a potato or use a knife at all really. They were very protective of us. The best part was when they instructed us in the fine art that is hand-washing, showing us how to use soap and to scratch the stains off with our fingernails. And finally, after all of the food had been cooked, (including the chicken we helped clean), the feast began.

The whole village was in attendance. They spread many bowls and plates out on banana leaves and dished all the food up making sure everyone got an even portion. Once this was all divvied up, a man working on the translation prayed for us. He almost brought me to tears when he was thanking God for bringing us and for the relationships we’d all formed. Then he graciously told us we didn’t have to eat everything we were given.

Which was fine by me, because while I tried everything, it all tasted like eel and there’s only so much of that a white girl can take. They were all so generous to us, and I was so grateful for that last night sharing a meal together. It was the perfect example of their extreme hospitality to us. The best way to bring such an incredible time together to a close was by sharing food as a symbol that we were all ‘wanbel’ or “one belly” basically one family, one body.

VBS

As interns we had a few objectives for our village stays. These included language learning, relationship building, observing, encouraging & serving missionaries, and putting on an afternoon VBS. We were all a bit intimidated by this though since we had little knowledge of pigeon on arrival in Igoi, but the kids befriended us quickly and helped us a lot with our language learning. Our VBS was on the book of Jonah, as this book has now been published in Sob. We made an announcement in church and were aware that all of the kids would be in attendance as well as a lot of the adults.

We kicked off the VBS with high-fives (which we had taught the kids about a week and a half earlier) and praise songs. After which one of the elders came up and read the Jonah Big Book in Sob. The Big Book tells the story of Jonah using selections from the Bible. After the reading our team asked some comprehension questions in Tok Pisin, and after a little encouragement they shouted answers back at us. It was pretty exciting. Our team leader related the story back to the Gospel using the first few verses of Hebrews and explaining how Jesus is bigger than all the prophets even Jonah and how we need to listen and obey him just as the Ninevites listened to Jonah. As she was explaining this, the women in the back of the room were nodding and saying, “Yes, yes”. Not a very common thing in Igoi.

One of my teammates and I taught the kids a memory verse, which took several tries but they finally got it! And days later a few of them came up to me and recited, “Bikpela, yu wanpela tasol yu save kisim bek mipela, na mipela i stap laip. – Jona 2:9” which means, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” I was so proud of them. And yes, they got more high-fives. We had Jonah coloring pages and seeing the kids’ faces light up, after they had been taught how to color, was almost a great as seeing the faces of the adults and elders light up as they colored too. Our VBS ended with an incredibly entertaining game of Simon i Tok (Simon Says in Pigeon). Jumping up and down on one leg while spinning around, holding your nose, and patting your head is hard in any language.

I hope and pray that the kids not only enjoyed themselves but understood the message that we were trying to bring them, even through our broken Pigeon.

Diamonds in the Sky & The Committee

One night that is definitely a highlight of our stay in Igoi started off quite normally. A couple of my teammates and I have been looking forward to stargazing here since Dallas. I mean, we’ve never even seen these stars before! We’d heard they were really clear and couldn’t wait to see them. Well, we’d been here for almost three weeks, and it had been cloudy or a full moon every night. But on this night, it was finally clear. We all ran out of the house and looked up, and I’m pretty sure we all audibly gasped. Words can’t do the awesome wonder that we beheld justice, and as hard as I tried to get photos, it didn’t work either, so I’ll have to try and describe it. It was the most inspiring thing I’ve ever seen in my life. There were so many stars, and they twinkled. Actually twinkled. I’d always thought that “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” was a silly song, but they really do twinkle. And we saw the Milky Way like I’ve never seen it; it almost looked like a cloud. The stars were all different colors and looked so close, it was just incredible.

So as were all standing there staring up into space, a couple of the village ladies come up and start talking to a couple of my teammates. I was not involved in the conversation because I couldn’t have torn myself away from the stars above me had I wanted to. But here’s how the conversation went.

Village Lady:” So my son was watching you, from our fire down there, because we always watch you. He’s a part of the committee that keeps an eye on you to make sure you’re okay. And he saw you jump out of the house, and so he sent us over to find out why and make sure you’re okay. What are you doing?”

Teammate: “We’re just really happy to see the stars, we can’t see all the same stars where we live, so we just wanted to come and look at them and we’re very happy to see them.”

Village Lady: “Oh, so you’re just happy to see the stars?”

Teammate: “Yes, very happy!”

Village Lady: “Ok, well I’ll pass that on to the committee. We’re getting cold so we’re going to go back to our fire now. Goodnight!”

Teammate: “Goodnight!”

We thus learned that we were indeed being watched, all the time, even when it seemed like no one was around. They really must think we’re crazy!

As we gazed at the stars some more, we began to sing, and praise our Creator. Our whole team sang for about an hour and watched the night sky. It was wonderful. And we closed our spontaneous worship service with one of the Tok Pisin songs we had learned… because, of course, we knew the whole village was listening.

 

"Ok, yumi singsing!"

A huge part of any culture is its music. Papua New Guinea is no different. Most of the music here is a capella or played with guitars and the occasional drum. On the three hour hike back from the school, the children who were our guides helped to teach us a praise song in Tok Pisin, which I think may be their favorite considering they sing it all the time. It’s called God Bilong Mi. It was so much fun to learn from them and made the long hike feel shorter. They were excellent teachers and of course we got to show off our knowledge at church the following Sunday. Here are the lyrics to the song:

God bilong mi yu wokim mi

long han bilong yu God bilong mi

yu wokim mi

olsem yu yet

long save bilong yu

God bilong mi yu wokim mi

long han bilong yu God bilong mi

yu wokim mi

olsem yu yet

long save bilong yu

Yu winim win bilong yu

na givim mi dispela laip

Mi kisim pes bilong yu

long dispela graun

And then there are two more verses in Tok Ples (Sob) which I only sort of know. 

A very, very rough translation is something like " My God, you make me with your hands, my God you make me the same as you in your knowledge. You breathe your breath and give me life and I have your face on this ground."

A translator from Igoi working on the project taught us several more songs. One of my favorites was Lod Bilong Mi (My Lord):

Lod bilong mi o lod bilong mi

Mi ting mi i inap long stap long graun

Tasol mi no inap i stap

Holi Spirit strongim bilip

Jisas yu holim mi strong

Jisas mi beten long trabels no ken daunim mi

Laip i had trabel kam long mi

Ki bilong laip bilip yu givim mi

Tasol Lod bilip bilong mi pundaun

Holi Spirit strongim bilip

Jisas yu holim mi strong

Jisas mi beten long trabels no ken daunim mi

And this one very, very roughly translates to, "My Lord, my Lord, I think I'm enough to stay on this earth, and that's all, I'm not enough to live. Holy Spirit, strengthen my belief. Jesus you hold my strength. Jesus, I pray that troubles can't bring me down. Life is hard and trouble comes to me. The key to life is the belief you give me. That's all, Lord, my belief falls down."  

Bring Praise

One of my favorite things about being here has been getting to see the people worshipping God in their own style. We have been here four Sundays and have gotten to attend three different churches. Two in Madang, and the church in Igoi twice. The first church we went to was fairly small, and had a worship band of three guys with guitars and a woman singing. Everyone sings high here, I’m fairly positive there is no such thing as a bass singer in PNG. But everyone sang and sang out and it was beautiful. Even though at this point I didn’t know enough Tok Pisin to sing along or have much of a clue what they were singing, it almost brought me to tears, because it was clearly their worship, they were worshipping a God who knew them. The sermon was from one of my favorite passages which helped me follow along with my limited language, and it was hilarious to hear phrases like “lifestyle bilong yu” and “yupela i stap nupela creation”, a very convicting sermon though. And the people were friendly and eager to meet us after the service.

In Igoi it was a bit different. First of all, in the village, there’s no set time for church to start. No one has a watch anyway so it wouldn’t matter. So they have devised another system to gather everyone to worship. They hit a series of three drum calls on a huge long, canoe looking drum called a garamut. The first one early in the morning, with 120 beats, calls everyone to get up start getting ready for the day and head out to do anything that they need to do, go to their garden, get water, etc. before church. The second one, a couple hours or 4 later, is another 120 drum beats and calls everyone to start heading back from wherever they went. And in another hour or two or three, they’ll hit 120 beats for the third time and call everyone to come to church because they’re about to start. About twenty minutes later they’ll start playing a few songs, and people will start trickling in, after a half hour or so of that the official worship will begin and kick off church.

And the last church we went to in Madang was a larger church that is fully run by Papua New Guineans. I found that to be super encouraging and exciting, so I was surprised to hear so much English being used. It was also their missions’ week so SIL did the sermon but all of the worship and everything else was done by the church. And I was excited to be able to follow the testimony that was given in Pigeon. Our Tok Pisin has come a long way since arriving here.

There’s definitely a stark contrast between the worship songs that Papua New Guineans have written and the Lotu Hymns that have been translated from English. The enthusiasm and excitement that the people have when singing their songs is intoxicating, and is all but extinguished when one of the hymns is played. Just one of the many things I’ve seen here that confirms the need for Bible Translation and Scripture Impact around the world. I feel more and more called toward work in PBT’s ministry and I’m so grateful for the chance to learn and seek out God’s call on my life through this experience.

Barefoot Up A Mountain

After a week in Madang of cooking and packing and general prepping for the bush, my team and I left for the village of Igoi where PBT currently has a translation project in progress for the Sob people. From the moment we stepped off the chopper the people welcomed us into their lives. On our first morning several of the village ladies came up to the missionaries’ house we were staying at and taught us how to work bilum. A bilum is a bag made of string or a natural fiber that is used to carry anything and everything here, from garden vegetables to babies, and usually worn on the head. These ladies were very patient with us and our limited hand eye coordination, repeating the steps and demonstrating over and over until we finally got it. The woman who taught me was in her late twenties I would guess and she and I became fast friends over the next two weeks.

After our introduction to bilum working we practiced some more the next day, and once we had been making some actual progress for a while, we were invited, actually more like requested, to go down to the water with a few of them. We got a few pots and containers and happily obliged. And then we saw the “trail”. 

What passes for a trail in Igoi is not your average hiking trail easy to spot and maintained by forest rangers. It is quite literally a treacherous trail down the side of a mountain, with steep drop offs, giant roots, and leaves everywhere covering the loose ground beneath your feet, if your feet even fit on the trail. The women were very concerned for our safety and apologized every time one of us slipped, with an, “O sori tru, yu mus wokabaut isi isi, yu bai pundaun lo’ maunten!” Which translates to, “Oh I’m so sorry, you have to walk carefully, you’ll fall down the mountain!” – thanks for the vote of confidence. Honestly they were very sweet, and loved the fact that we were going with them, and if they were frustrated by our slow progress, they hid it well.

After about a half hour of controlled sliding, we finally reached the water spring. It was beautiful, and made the hike worth it. The women washed and cleaned their pots and dishes, and the kids helped too. It was a constant bustle of washing bodies, pans, plates, pots, babies, and eventually filling up every container around with as much water as it would hold. (It’s dry season here.) We helped with the washing and filled our pots and containers to the brim, and after some language learning, (“graun malu malu” means “mud”) the women put them on our heads, did the same themselves, and said “Ok, yumi go nau.”

The mountain we had slid down lay ahead of us, only now we were carrying water on our heads. I had a large pot on mine and it made the navigation of the ridiculous incline rather difficult. But once again the women were patient and my favorite word that day was used frequently, “malolo” it means rest. We finally arrived back on top, safe and sound, soaked from head to toe. I have yet to master the balancing act that they have down pat. The women called us true PNG women, and it pretty much made our day. We gave the extra water to whoever wanted it.

Later that night, I tried Buai, which is an experience in and of itself, but that plus the water earned me the nickname of “PNG Mama” which is what I was known as for the rest of our time in Igoi. The next day the ladies took us to gather firewood, and carry it back, on our heads, barefoot, up a mountain. A few days later we got to go and visit the school, hiked down the mountain an hour and a half, and 3 hours back, barefoot, up a mountain. We also got to go to a couple of gardens, barefoot, down the mountain, and even helped plant taro and corn, barefoot, on the side of a mountain. We helped clean a chicken, barefoot, on a mountain. Helped bandage wounds, barefoot, on a mountain. Basically spent our time, barefoot, on, down, up, or on the side of a mountain. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I saw such an incredible strength and resilience in these people and got to experience a lot of things that are present in their daily lives. The kids here really do walk to school, uphill both ways, and they sing the whole time. The people enjoy planting in their gardens and going to get water, telling stories, jokes and news as they work. It’s just life, and I was so blessed to share in it with them.

Welcome to Papua New Guinea

June 16^th - Excerpts from my journal, the day we arrived in country

“We have arrived in Port Moresby and are waiting for our last flight to Madang. It’s unclear when this flight may actually take off so we’re all waiting in the airport. We’ve been traveling for somewhere around 30 hours now. I’m completely thrown off, I have no idea what time my body thinks it is. In a lot of ways it feels like we just left Dallas and in many others it seems like the string of airports and airplanes is never going to end. First impressions of PNG; from the air, it’s gorgeous. Looks just like a movie. Once you step off the plane, however, the airport hits you square in the face. I suppose I’m rather naïve but it’s far more run down than I was expecting the capitol city’s airport to be. Overall though, it wasn’t bad… except for the smell. The stench of putrid bodies in large crowds is overpowering. I kept telling myself that I’ll adjust, and I know eventually I will. At least I pray I will. But it smells awful. And then there’s the point at which you become aware that every conversation around you just came to a screeching halt to comment about you and your companions. It’s like that dream in high school where you show up to class without pants and you’re sort of oblivious until you finally look down. Not quite as disconcerting, I think because PBT prepared us well for it. It still hasn’t completely hit me that we’re here. It feels like I’m here for a long weekend or something…. So we made our flight to Madang, and the view of the clouds was absolutely breathtaking. God is such an artist! As I was still freaking out and thinking, ‘Crap, I don’t actually want to be here.’ I looked out at the clouds and for about ten seconds there was a rainbow. And I was reminded of the Lord’s promise to make a way where there doesn’t seem to be one and to never leave nor forsake me. I remembered that I’m here only because I love Jesus, and I’m choosing to be joyful and to love PNG.

After we landed in Madang it was easy to fall in love with PNG. Madang doesn’t smell, (as much) and it’s beautiful. As we jostled through the giant potholes in two tiny overflowing pick-up trucks I was mesmerized by the natural beauty, the obvious poverty, and the bustle of the town. We arrived at the office to a large crowd gathering close by, people running back and forth to a near mosh pit and hollering. When I realized the crowd hadn’t gathered to stare at the white people I was relieved, but that relief quickly vanished as I caught a few words of pigeon, “Paia! Paia! Paia!” I knew what that meant. The crowd had gathered to watch the building one door over go up in flames. Having just arrived in a foreign country the thought of a nearby fire is nerve-racking, especially when you are ushered upstairs into your home for the next week and locked in. With a burning building next door. Welcome to PNG. We watched the building burn down and the one fire truck tried to salvage it some, but it was a lost cause. The community lost six businesses in the fire, and it was an awful helpless feeling watching and not being able to do anything. But I was grateful for God’s protection that the fire didn’t spread any farther. First day here, I love it, and I hate it, should be an interesting summer."

July 8th, 2010

Olrait. Apinun from Papua New Guinea. Sorry I haven’t posted sooner, computer and internet access have been a slight challenge.

I’ve now been in PNG for a little over three weeks, the first week of which we spent in Madang where the PBT office is located. Madang is beautiful. Actually that adjective can be aptly applied to the entire country. Seriously, everyday I understand more and more just how amazing an artist God is. From Madang we can see the ocean, and the mountains, and all kinds of vegetation. It’s so green and there are so many flowers and it’s just amazing. In Madang there are bats, everywhere, all the time, and they look like crows unless you look closely. In Madang there are stores, and roads, and potholes, and people on every corner. In Madang, it’s hot, and we sweat, and we are very, very grateful for the fact that the office has air conditioning. In Madang, we are stared at, everywhere we go. In Madang, we do whatever we can to help around the office, and learn how things work around here. In Madang, there is a market that is overwhelming and colorful and loud and crowded, and exciting. In Madang we have connections to the outside world.

The past two weeks I’ve been here I’ve been in the small mountain village of Igoi. Igoi is a naturally stunning place. It’s on top of a mountain in the middle of the rainforest, of course it’s gorgeous. But it’s the people that hold its true beauty. It’s the people who welcomed us into their lives from the moment we stepped out of the helicopter who have kept a piece of my heart with them. Their culture is far different from my own. Their lives are far different from my own. But they have hearts that are hungry.

During my time in Igoi, I got to know the people, to know their names (at least their western ones), their houses, and their laughs. And though I’ve only been back in town about 24 hours now, I miss them all. I’m so thankful for the things I’ve been taught in the village. I’m grateful to my many teachers, and most of all to God. I have many stories, some of which I hope to be sharing with you all over the next week while I’m in town and have internet access. So look for more to come in the next few days as I’m weeding through my journal and typing the best ones up. Thank you again for all of the prayer and support.

June 6th, 2010

I have now been in Dallas just over a week. The first week of training, known as PFO (short for Pre-Field Orientation) is over and we're about to begin week two, where we participate in Pioneer Missions Institute (PMI). People have been checking in this afternoon for PMI and it will officially kick off with a dinner tonight, there will be other people interested in PBT as well as PBT Recruits, Missionaries in Transition and Missionaries who are stateside right now, as well as PBT staff. It's going to be a pretty packed week but a very interesting and exciting one. I can't wait to get to know more of the "PBT Family".  But before I start PMI- let me recap PFO for you all just a little bit.

To be honest, there has been so much happening this past week that trying to write it down is rather difficult. Everyday we met in the training room of one of the buildings on campus and kicked off our day with worship and a devotion. After that we usually had a lecture on a variety of subjects by a variety of PBT staff and a couple of guest speakers. To give you an idea, just a few of our topics were, health and safety on the field, language learning, bible translation overview,  child safety, conflict resolution, personality types, and country specific topics. Interspersed throughout the digesting of all of this knowledge we engaged in a multitude of team building activities. In one of which our teams had to learn to communicate with the "Boomah" people (actually consisting of our internship coordinators and leaders) without any knowledge of them beforehand. The Boomah people were very concerned for our well being in such a cold environment, forcefully offering us fleeces and hats so that we wouldn't freeze in the nearly 100 degree heat. Our coordinators have a slightly twisted sense of humor. But I love them.

Truly the people here are great. There is such an emphasis on community and being a part of the PBT "family", everyone is so friendly and welcoming. My fellow interns are also fantastic. And I'm not just saying that. We are a group of semi-crazy, fun-loving, friendly people and I love it. While I miss my friends and family back home, I've had a blast getting to know my teammates and fellow interns. Another highlight has been the game nights and movie nights at "Papa & Mama Smurf's" a missionary couple known by everyone as Papa & Mama Smurf. They've opened their home up to us as a place to hang out and enjoy each other and it's quickly becoming home away from home. I'm so grateful to them. We've also gotten to spend some time at a few other missionaries homes, getting to know them and their families as well as our teammates. Lots of pizza and ice cream has been involved :)

God is opening eyes, and preparing and exciting us all! Continue to pray for wisdom and discernment as well as community and joy and the calming of anxieties as we head into our last week of training. Thank you all so much for helping me to be here and the support you are continuing to give!

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe tat you have sent me. " John 17:20-21

Blessings,

Court

May 27th, 2010

Halo! (that's "Hello" in Tok Pisin, also in German)

Wow, it's almost here, and I have two things to say; 1. WOOO HOOO! And 2. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! God has provided so much for me throughout my preparation, and he has chosen to work mightily through all of you who have been praying, and supporting me, encouraging me, and giving of your finances. I know time and money are so valuable, especially in this tough economy, and I am so very deeply grateful for everything that you all have done to bless me.  All of my funds are officially in! God is so faithful and again thank you all for being willing to give as you were led.

Approximately 36 hours from right now my parents and I will be pulling out of our driveway, all our gear, and cups of coffee in tow, on our way to Dallas! We're picking up another PBT intern also going to PNG (but on the other team) on our way and we hope to be in Dallas mid-afternoon Saturday! I cannot believe how close it is!!! It all seems a bit surreal right now, going through all of the last minute stuff (some stuff that shouldn't be last minute, but is nonetheless), knowing that this adventure is just about to start, but it's all like walking through a dream right now. Part of that may be the lack of sleep I've been getting, due to excitement combined with a to do list the size of Texas. But I also think it's (as my mom puts it) like planning a wedding; you plan for so long, you get so excited, and count down the days, and then one day, it's suddenly here, and the last minute details that have you so stressed out work themselves out somehow, so you just have to sit back and enjoy every minute so that you can always remember it. Even though I'm stressed and crazy busy, I'm trying to just take it all in. All the prep work is just as much a part of the experience as actually being there - and I don't want to get tunnel vision and forget it all.  

PBT sent me some home movies the missionaries and previous interns in PNG made so that I could watch them with my family. It made it that much more real, and made me even more excited! I didn't think that was possible, for me to be more excited about it, but I am! God has been granting me this peace, that He is in control, he always has been, he led me to this, and I am his. So even though there are many more things for me to do, he will help me, even though this is going to be a very challenging experience, he will give me strength, it is only for him that I am doing this and only in him that it will be done. And that is very reassuring. God requires everything of us, Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24-25 I want to give him everything, I don't want to just say that, I want to really live it, to abandon myself for him. I hope I learn more of how to do that this summer.

I know this adventure is going to change me. Life changes people, and this is one heavy dose of Life. But I'm always saying how I don't want to miss out on my life, how I don't want to waste opportunities that God puts before me. This is a huge opportunity! And the only way to not miss my life is to live it. I'm afraid of getting in the mind-set that this is a trip - an internship - that I'm leaving my life behind for a couple months, and when I get back I'll have a few new stories to tell. This isn't just a trip, this is not some vacation from my life, my life here in Manhattan, isn't more my "real life" than this internship is. Nor is the reverse true, my life isn't "really" beginning because I'm starting missions work and "getting my feet wet". It's all my life, like with the planning, I don't want to get tunnel vision and miss it. I want to see the lessons that God is teaching me in all of it. See them and learn them and implement them.

So here's what I've learned from this experience - the preparation -  so far.

1. God is faithful. I've said that so much throughout the past few months because I am continually impressed with the truth of it. I keep learning  that he will provide if we will have faith.
2. Faith is not just a feeling or a belief, it's an action and a choice. Faith does not equal absolute certainty - absolute certainty is knowledge. Faith is not necessary where there is knowledge. I don't have faith that two plus two is four, I know it. So to have faith, is not the same as having knowledge. To have faith in God is not the same as to have knowledge of him. Having faith is to actively choose to follow him because we believe he is who he says he is, and he will do what he says he will do. Sometimes we don't particularly feel faith. I experienced a feeling of lack of faith, of uncertainty, just this semester. But even in those times, we can choose to have faith. To follow God even though we are uncertain.
3. God's existence, and his character, who he is, does not depend on our belief in him. Which is why even in the times when we are uncertain - if we still act in faith - he still provides, he is still faithful, and he will still accomplish his purposes. That is humbling to realize on a core level.
4. Perfection, is not what God uses most. God chooses to work through weakness. We do not have to be perfect christians or be "special" for God to desire to use us. Everyone, myself and even Paul (you know, the guy who wrote most of the New Testament) included, we fall short.(Romans 7:18-25) We sin, we screw up, we make mistakes. That doesn't mean we shouldn't work to become more like Christ in everything, it just means that God doesn't wait for us to get it down before desiring to use us for his glory.
5. God is huge. Massive. Larger than Life (yes, I just used a Backstreet Boys title in reference to God). He is so much bigger than I can imagine. He is glorious, and indescribable, all words, images, music and anything we can create fall short. He has created everything, and everything bows before him. He is above all. He is righteous and holy. He is terrifying. And he is worthy.
6. God answers prayer. You've heard it before, but it's worth mentioning again. I'm only starting to understand the awesome depth to which this is true. I know that all he has done for me, and in me, and through me this semester, has been for his glory in answer to prayer. Our prayers, never fall on deaf ears.
7. God is in control. And what even better - he knows best! And he works for the good of those he loves. I'm a control freak (hopefully more of a former control freak), I like to be in control because I think I know what's best (or at the very least, I hat to admit I'm wrong). But even when we try to be in control, God is always in control! So we might as well save ourselves the headache and give him control, because he already has it. 
7. I am not nearly as responsible, or mature, or humble as I though I was. I'm so guilty of doing things my own way, of slacking off, procrastinating, of not giving my best - because I don't "have to". Well God has convicted me so much with this. He requires not just my best but my all. I can't just "get by" with God. And I'm to do everything as unto the Lord. I confess I have failed quite miserably, and this is something I need and want to work on, but I'm not there yet, and God is using me anyway. It's a glaring sign to say this is not happening because I am good, or even good enough,  see how much I've messed up? This work is being accomplished because God is faithful, because God is mighty, and because God is more powerful than anything I could ever do. 

I've learned so much more than this, but these are some of the major points. If I wrote everything down,  it'd be far too long for anyone to want to read, and would take far too long to type - I still have to pack! 

Please continue praying for me and my fellow interns. I appreciate it so much - and I know God answers prayer. Be praying specifically; 

For continued preparation of hearts and minds. 

For effective witness. 

For growth in our relationships with the Lord and those of the people we meet. 

For learner's hearts - that we would grow from what we learn and experience. 

For wisdom and discernment - in situations we will face this summer and with regard to God's will for our futures (specifically in missions work). 

For strength and perseverance - for most of us (myself included) this will be one of the most challenging things we've done. 

For passion and excitement - that even in the trying times we will have a passion to see God's glory spread through what we are doing. 

For peace for our families back home. 

And for safety and logistical concerns to be taken care of. 

Thank you all so much! I hope to be able to update you from training and the field, but just in case - I hope and pray you all have a wonderful summer, that God works both in and through you, no matter what you are doing that He would pull you closer to him. 

"for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Phil 2:13 

Court

May 11th, 2010

Hey Everyone!

Great News! Another $1010 has come in this week! That is INSANELY GREAT!!!!!! Thank you all so much! This brings my total raised to $3540! God is definitely faithful! That leaves only $2696 left to be raised. I leave for Dallas to start training in 17 DAYS….WHOA NELLY!!! I can't believe how fast it's coming up! Where did all that time go? I've been working to prepare so much and it seems like there's still so much to be done that it doesn't seem possible that it's only a little over two weeks away! But nonetheless, it is almost here!!!! I have all my shots - finally! I have my passport - finally! I have my plane ticket- finally! It's all coming together, through God's help.

The other day, I was working on some thank you letters to my supporters. I was feeling a little discouraged and decided to watch a sermon podcast… I really had no idea what to watch, but I pulled up Francis Chan's sermons, and saw one titled "You Have Everything You Need". I thought to myself, 'Hmmm, with all of this money left to be raised, things to get donated, and other work left to be done, this sounds like a message I need to hear'. So I pulled it up… and the first thing Francis does is to bring up a missionary couple to share with the congregation and to be prayed for. This young couple are missionaries to Papua New Guinea. The wife's name is Courtney. Now, I know not everyone would be freaking out over this, but I was! On a day when I was doubting that God truly wanted to send me this summer, He shows me a young faithful servant who shares my name who he has sent to Papua New Guinea! I knew he was confirming, yet again, that this is where he wants me…. And I need to know that he is providing everything I need to follow him, not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually as well. I say this a lot now-a-days, but it's just so true; He is FAITHFUL!!!! And I can't help but fall more in love with him through all of this! I absolutely can't wait to see what He will do this summer! Thanks again for all of the prayer and support! Please keep it up!

Until they all hear,

Court

April 14th, 2010

I have almost reached the halfway mark of fund-raising! Way to go everyone! This has been so amazing! And my packing list is starting to come together too! Thanks to Gwen who has already found two skirts that I'll need for the summer! My friends, this is starting to take shape. God is good! 

"For he who promised is faithful"

Court

April 3rd, 2010

Great News Everyone!!!! We've raised $2,475 so far! This is HUGE!!!!! This means that my plane ticket is paid for!!!!! Wow! Thank You SOOO MUCH for all of the support! To EVERYONE who donated - You are amazing, such a wonderful blessing, and proof of God's goodness and generosity, I am deeply grateful.  I have also seen such incredible love being poured out over me and this internship in the form of prayer and support and just plain excitement! It's easy for me to be excited about this, after all, it's a passion of mine, not to mention the teensy fact that I'm the one that's going!! But it is such an encouragement to see other's get so fired up over this opportunity!

I've begun a lot of medical labs and checks and immunizations… the not so fun part of prepping comes in the form of syringes. But, the staff at Lafene (the KSU Health Center) has been so helpful and has made the process a lot easier on me, even making me feel less embarrassed about my inevitable queasiness when being stabbed with pointy objects. One of the nurses who helped me with some of my paperwork for my labs saw on my chart that this was all for an internship with PBT. She got excited and began to tell me about how she and her sister heard a representative from PBT speak here in Manhattan, that they had even visited PBT's campus, and were thinking of pursuing missionary work with them if the Lord led them to. WOW! God is so awesome! I was starting to get discouraged with some things just that day, and here He brought me and amazing conversation with this nurse that would seemingly be a coincidence, but I knew better. We were able to chat and encourage each other. That day l left with cotton balls on my elbows and my spirit lifted.

It's amazing to see the ways that God is already working and using this internship, even though it hasn't officially begun. I'm seeing how much of a blessing this truly is for me, and not just for the people I'm hoping to serve. So thank you all for the continued support and prayers and you'll here from me soon!

Until they all hear,

Court

March 7, 2010 - 2:42pm

Hello All,

I want to send out a great big THANK YOU to all of the wonderful people at The Well! I was shown so much support and love and excitement to see God's work done! Thank you so much for your help and partnership and encouragement!!! What a wonderful community we have been blessed with. God is moving so much, and it is absolutely thrilling!

With your help we raised a total of $168 today! God is SO good! To those of you who bought bracelets, you're great, thank you so much! Please keep praying, guys! I will be around, and back at church with more bracelets the 21st!

But perhaps even greater than the (much needed) financial support that you all gave me today, I was blessed with spiritual encouragement. Several people came to talk to me about the excitement God has given them for missions - and their excitement for this area in particular! One of my dear brother's in Christ, encouraged me so much with the wisdom that this is God's work and he will accomplish it, I just have to be willing to be the vessel. Whew! What a weight lifted! God has been revealing this to me recently, but it was such a blessing to hear it confirmed. Lord, I am willing to be your vessel, please, accomplish your work!!!!

I would also like to thank my supporters who have sent in money after receiving my support letters. Your help has been great, and I am so appreciative. God is moving mountains and He is so much greater than the obstacle we face, especially something so small as finances. So THANK YOU, thank you, thank you - for your support and continued prayer!

Thank you all! Keep on praying!

Until they all hear,

Court

                                                                                                                 photo from CIA World Factbook

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: a linguistic axis of sorts is home to 820 languages (of around 7,000 in the world). Many of these languages remain unwritten. The people of this island nation just north of Australia live much of their lives in small communities; which creates a very rich cultural and linguistic diversity. These people are hungry for the Word of God, for the Word of God to reach out to them across the many language barriers, and ring in their ears in their own tongue. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations…” Matt 24:14

God has blessed me with an AMAZING opportunity to serve Him as an intern for Pioneer Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea this summer! And I want to share this opportunity with all of you! I am so excited to see what God's doing in Papua New Guinea and amongst his people! Having God's Word in your own language allows his love to resonate throughout your life! Nothing has the potential for a greater impact than the Word of the Living God!

I will be serving with missionaries and fellow interns in Papua New Guinea for 8 weeks this summer. As part of my internship I will go through pre-field training in Dallas, Texas starting in May, as well as having a debriefing period after I return. (It sounds so “BlackOps.” when I put it that way! I promise I'm not a secret agent.)

So now that you know the what, here’s the why. The purpose for this internship is fourfold:

1) To explore ministry opportunities and discern God’s will with regard to a potential future in Cross-Cultural Ministry and Bible Translation.

2) To experience the impact of the work of the Word of God amongst his people in Papua New Guinea.

3) To serve the PBT missionaries and communities in Papua New Guinea.

4) To grow deeper in love with Jesus by seeing the pouring out of his love on another people!

I’m absolutely itching to see the amazing things that God is and will be doing! I hope you are as excited about this ministry opportunity as I am!

As I’m sure you can imagine, an opportunity like this requires financial support. I need to raise a grand total of $5,661 by May 30th. .. WHEW! Praise the Lord, for he is faithful!

So here’s how it all breaks down:

Air Fare from Dallas to Papua New Guinea..$2400-(Due March 15th)

Overseas Field Expenses.................................500 -(Due May 15th)

Pre-Field Orientation and Debriefing................500

Pioneer Missions Institute................................290

Office and Team Leader Expenses..................300

Health Insurance Supplement..........................115

Immunizations.................................................300

PBT Team Ministry Expenses........................ 256 -(Due May 30th)

= $ 5661

If you are willing to partner with me and support me financially in this ministry, I would very greatly appreciate your help. I am so confident that God will bless both gift and giver.

Please check out the PRAYER BRACELETS I’m selling through this site! Not only will you be getting a one of a kind, hand-made piece of jewelry, but it will also be a reminder to pray for me and my fellow interns as we prepare to go into the world and later as we are in Papua New Guinea! Not to mention that the proceeds will be such a blessing to my support raising.

You can also donate by sending a check directly to PBT:

Pioneer Bible Translators

c/o Nathan and Lindsay Davenport

4116 S. Carrier Parkway, Suite 280

PMB 832

Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Please place a note inside the envelope indicating that the funds are for my (Courtney PNG Summer Intern Team 2010) internship expenses. Please make checks payable to Pioneer Bible Translators, and also refrain from placing my name anywhere on the check (as I am not eligible for tax exemption).

While my financial need is certainly great, my much, much greater need is for support in prayer! It is only through prayer that any endeavor will truly serve the Lord and have an impact in his will. Prayer is POWERFUL! “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him“ 1 John 5:14-15.

If you would like to know more about PBT I would encourage you to visit their website, www.pioneerbible.org.

And don't forget to check back here often for the latest updates and news on how God is working in my life and through this ministry, and eventually see my photos and journal entries!

Until They All Hear,

Court