Papua New Guinea: A safe journey remembered

A safe journey point from home and family; the Pukapuki men going to Wewak for a curriculum development course. Four or five men went. We are not currently the Sepik and went to these

“I glanced at my mud encrusted watch and checked arc. Four o’clock, Tuesday noon, homeward bound after fellowship was more than a journey’s end was within reach. remembered My co-worker Frank and I left had Sinow with representatives from two assemblies of believpap ua New guinea ers. Traveling with five Siawi men Thank you for your prayers. God is as traditional enemies lived as good and at work here in PNG and in Christian brothers. the Sepik region. Drenched by driving rain, lost

I had requested prayer for and ill at ease at night, we commit

r in Pukapuki, but rejoice with ode these missionaries as they press on in their tribal locations. Here is a shortened bit from a letter of Kelly Luyendyk, tesy tim sch r a missionary that works in co ur meetings: P HOTO

the hour as the prow of our Kelly and Sien Luyendyk are Schroders’ co-workers from dugout canoe swept in a shaky Cremona, Alta., who have served with NTM for 13 years. afternoon. Ten of us had been This time of teaching and fellowship traveling since Sunday afterwas more than a workshop for church a week-long church workshop leaders. I t was a time of challenge and held at the coastal town of encouragement for young believers, Wewak. This time of teaching and uncertain shepherds. and four Sinow men, we marveled workshop for church leaders. It was ted ourselves to making it to Sinow a time of challenge and encouragebefore Tuesday night. Frustrated ment for young believers, uncertain with our perpetually sinking canoe, shepherds. Testimonies and discusfrightened by giant whirlpools and sion confirmed that God’s Holy Spirit oncoming floating debris, we pressed was molding their thinking in line on. with His Word. Now we were almost I navigated into the blackness, home. totally helpless and completely rely

Martin’s steady hand on the tiller ing on Funwk and Nomo, on the bow of the 40hp outboard guided our carewith their roving flashlights. They ful circle on the Sepik River, everyone guided us past hidden oxbows and eager to check the huge crocodile islands on that serpentine river. sunning itself on a tree snag. Everyone huddled under plastic,

We were only one more river water streaming from Maikel’s beard

as he kept me company. But we were heading home, and we sensed God in the canoe with us.

The crocodile gracefully slid into the water. Everyone cheered, secretly wishing for the means to bring the meat home.

Martin maneuvered the canoe upstream. I motioned him to idle to a stop. Funwk latched onto some reeds to keep us from drifting. Then Siawi’s Malikai grinned at Sinow’s Maikel, stood up, and led us in thanks for our Heavenly Father’s protection and provision.

We had passed a Sinow man and his family in their bush camp who said Maikel’s wife had almost drowned the previous day in the flooding river. Frank, who had returned early, had swum to save her. Martin praised God that we could come home without grief waiting.

Look away from your feeble strength and hang on the victory through Jesus Christ, our Lord! Right now you feel dirty and tired in your journey home, but look up ahead. The last bend is approaching. Hang on. Home is near.” Tim Schroder

Tim and Laurel Schroder (Pelly) serve with New Tribes Mission.

Portage EMCers, Where Are You?

Portage EMC 50th anniversary and building dedication August 28 and 29, 2010 Registration: August 28, 1-3 p.m.

More information to follow on our church website.

Please respond by July 31: 204-857-4146, www.portagepec.ca, or www.facebook.com (search PEC 50th anniversary)