Good Times!

Ok so I thought I was over jet lag.  This morning I woke up at 3 and could not get back to sleep. So I thought the best time to use the internet is when everyone else on base is sleeping!  Yep, here it takes longer than dial up..so I did not think twice when I was up that early.  I have made a few mistakes here so far that I thought I would share with you.  The other morning I went for a walk on base and passed by a national so I thought I will use the little I know of Pisin.  I looked at her and said "apinun"  which means afternoon, but she just looked at me and gave me this weird look and then I realized it's not afternoon so I smacked my hand against my head and said "monin" which means of course morning...she laughed! Then I went down to the market the other day and saw some sweet potato and they were in groups of 4.  I gave the lady her money and I took "one", she looked at me and said "you take all" and I said "no, just one, thank you." and she said "no, you take all."  What I didn't realize was that they were in groups for a reason when you pay for it you get the whole group of 4. Then I laughed and they laughed with me or possibly at me.  I am certain this will not be the last of me (Nikki) making a fool of myself.

Trusting God

We have now been in PNG for a little over a week and still trying to get over jet lag.  Brooke has done the best out of all of us!  You would wonder if she even traveled across the world.  This morning I finally woke up at 7 a.m. which is doing pretty good, considering we have been waking up around 2:30 and 3:00.  I am so glad God's promises are new each morning, that he gives us a new day to seek Him out and find Him in everything.  I have found myself looking to Him more and more as new things seem uncomfortable and scary.  I pray that my kids will go to Him as well as this isn't an easy thing to do by yourself.  I find that when God allowed Travis and I to come over a year and a half ago that I had similar feelings then and they are starting to resurface.  I will never forget when Pastor Giles taught one Sunday about the journey.  He said, "It's not about where you are going in the journey, it's who you are seeking in that journey." We have had our moments of fear that has just griped us and if you allow that to consume you it affects everything you think and do.  Travis and I have had good talks and continue to speak truth to each other and our girls.  It was so refreshing to hear another couple last night share what God is doing in a tribe they are working with.  When you understand God's heartbeat it takes the focus off your circumstances and puts it back where it should be, on Him.  Trusting God isn't easy but I think that is why it is called trust, who trusts in things they see? But if we trust in what we don't see because of what we know of God what a beautiful thing comes of that.  Monday Travis will be going into a tribe to help build for about a week, before we start our orientation.  I would ask for prayer for safe travels and great fellowship with the other men going. Thanks!

Life in PNG begins

Life in PNG is going to be much different.  I have found myself spending many hours in prayer and listening.  The reality of where we are hit us this weekend.  Starting off with Nikki heading to the store to purchase groceries for our family.  She returned home having spent $350 and able to fit them all in about two bags.  After my stupid response "what did you buy" and looking around it hit me we aren't in Nebraska anymore.  Yes, the days of Wal Mart and $.96  brown sugar is gone, now it looks more like a fire cracker stand at $16.00 for brown sugar.
Then that evening we were informed of some of the violent wars going on around the Highlands.  With some detailed descriptions I would say fears set in for all of us.  Nikki the girls and I spent the evening talking through what we had learned that day.  I knew it would happen and it is very hard to look at your girls in tears and saying they don't want to live here.  I had to look to God and say Help!  We know this is still where the Lord wants our family, we know this to be true.  But knowing the truth and walking in faith is not the easiest thing to do.  We discussed it and all agreed we would take it day by day and trying to keep our focus on the Lord not the crazy things going on around us.  I know Satan wants us to go home but I know for a fact that there is not a thing he can do to us.  We are in Gods will and His control.  I fell asleep that night thanking God for allowing us to be a part of His Family.
The next day we headed into Goroka to the market.  The girls we excited but soon figured out that the market is not a lot of fun.  Very muddy and dirty with lots of people staring at the 6 white people out of 2000.  Yet we walked through and purchased our goods and proceeded to Brian Bell where we can purchase our home appliances.  Dang! Yes let me say that again Dang it is expensive here.  We are looking at spending $1700 for a washing machine, $75 for a toaster, $800 for a microwave. ( Gulp.. ya maybe we won't be needing a microwave).  Then we headed back to Lapilo for the afternoon.  The girls had some friends come get them and they were gone for the rest of the day.  As their father it feels good to see them able to take off and relax with some new friends.  We discussed the days events that evening and again faced with hard times.  But we were able to spend time with some friends the Moritz in prayer.  It is amazing what comfort God gives us through prayer.  We are blessed to be here with the Moritz family and the Tallman family.  They both have been wonderful and encouraging.
Today we loaded up and went to ITF which is where we will be working.  Our co workers the Doerksons picked us up this morning.  When we arrived we toured the property and our future home.  I think the girls were please with where they will be living.  We then headed up into the nearest village where we spent the remainder of the day.  It was our first time up as a family and God opened our eyes to why we were here.  There was a woman who had passed away on Sunday and her funeral was today.  We wondered around from location to location talking with the family members and just sitting with them.  They were all preparing "mu mus" which is a ground earth steamed meal.  As we walked we came to the location they would be burring the woman.  Men were digging the hole just outside a hut.  They said that the womans family is in one location and the husbands family at another.  When the time came they would meet together and bury the woman and then they would all share the feast together.  I can't explain the feelings I had as I was so interested into why they were doing the things they did but then realizing the fate of this woman.  She was not a believer.  My girls experienced the whole thing with us.  When we returned home I asked what that they were thinking and how they were dealing with it.  Brooke replied "dad I know why we are here now".
I write these things not to worry anyone but to be real and transparent.  We have had times of fear and question.  But God has proven Himself faithful time and time again.  He has showed us in a short time the world we now live in.  He has also showed us why He wants us hear and  reminded me that the price His son paid was greater than that we face.  God is truly awesome and we are so blessed to be walking with HIM in PNG.
Please pray for the Bena people and that they might be willing to hear the Truth.

Hello PNG

Well God answered many prayers again.  We made all our connection flights and all our luggage made it to  Goroka.  No one got sick and we did get to sleep a little on the plane.  Our girls handled the transition amazingly well and are already off and running with the local MK(missionary kids).  Nikki and myself feel pretty good and are excited to finally be here.  We have the weekend to rest and will see what next week holds.  The temp here is awesome and it rained last night on and off up to about 3 AM.  Woke this morning to a cool breeze and many birds a talking.  We are having a few computer issues which should be cleared up by Monday and we will get out a news letter.  Just wanted to say to our team Thank you for trusting the Lord and being apart of what God is doing with the people here in Papua New Guinea.  Thank you allowing us to be your workers and come here.  We will continue to update you all.

In Christ
Travis, Nikki, Sierra and Brooke Ray

The Night Before the Flight

The see ya laters have begun.  We traveled to Denver today to prepare for our 23 hours of flight tomorrow.  Leaving friends and family has not been real fun but as it was told to me yesterday " we have work to do now and have eternity to enjoy with friends."  So we must be about our fathers work.  Its just amazing to think God is allowing our family to be a part of what He is doing in this world.

Fears, no not really fear right now.  Nervous, no not really nervous right now.  Excited, yes excited to go where it's WARM!  Yes, very excited to be on to our next leg of this journey.  Looking forward to learning language and culture from the Papua New Guinea people.

I think the biggest prayer need I would have right now would be, well two fold.  First pray for my girls as they have no real clue to what they are walking into.  Fears I believe will really set in as we get off the plane in Port Morseby.  Just guessing the next several months we will have many tear filled evenings.  Second I need prayers that I can be the dad they will need during that time.  It's always hard to see your children hurting and I need to be strong for them, and my wife by keeping my focus on the Lord and taking the time to hear Him so I know how to be that man.

Thank you to our team!  We are your tools in Papua New Guinea so keep in touch.

Thanks
Travis

Butterflies

Have you ever been anxious for something to come (good or bad) and you begin to feel flutters as if you had butterflies in the pit of your stomach?  Well, I have experienced this more than once in my lifetime and once again they have returned. It is a good reminder to me that when I feel this, there is something going on within me that I am anxious about.  Paul talks in Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I have noticed that lately when I feel this, it is always because I have taken my eyes off Him and put them on to me and circumstances.  Isn't it interesting that when we focus on our situation or ourselves we can become filled with anxiety?  When we decide to turn it over to Christ and look to Him in it there becomes such a peace that is incomprehensible.  I am so grateful for God reminding me daily that I need Him, and I cannot do this alone. 

On the 12th Day before....

"WOW" and here we are only 12 days from departure to Papua New Guinea.  It is amazing the mixed emotions our family is going through.  For the girls its the leaving of friends again, the leaving of the first boy crush,  leaving a month before getting the driving "learners" permit.  For Nikki and I its the realization of this is saying goodbye to parents and friends.  Then we read and see pictures from the Bena Bena people and the excitement sets in again.  We go day to day and I will be honest emotions go up and down.  It's a good thing we are so busy getting everything in order we don't have a whole lot of time to think about things.  

Our monthly support has raised a little the past few weeks.  I believe we are right around 85 to 86% and that we are thankful for.  It has been amazing to see God at work.  We feel so blessed to have our home church Mitchell Berean so involved in this ministry.  Amazing to see God work in the hearts and lives of over 70 people to fund this ministry.  God you are truly AWESOME!

Prayer request:

Our girls are our focus over the next few weeks.  We have to trust God and allow some growing pains in order to see our and their faith grow.  Pray for them to be willing to turn to God and see God at work.  Pray for Nikki and I to give over and trust what God is doing.

Nikki and I would ask that you would join us in prayer asking God to complete what support is needed for full funding.(14% or $994)  Also for our focus to be on Him and not ourselves.  We have already experienced attacks from the enemy and know we need to stay close to God, and each other.

Praise God!

Praise God for allowing us all to be a part of His family and His work.  We are so blessed to be able to  go to PNG to work with the Bena folks.