Walking Together Through a Difficult Time

The news this week of Chris' sudden departure hit hard in the church in Mibu. I was thankful for BJ Sanders and Levi Lenz, who accompanied me into Mibu, representing NTM leadership and providing additional support. Levi stayed with me the rest of the week after BJ departed at the end of that first day.

The fallout is vast and will be long-lasting. I was so very glad to have been able to spend time with the church—to cry with them, meet and talk through concerns and potential logistics, and just begin to figure out what adapting to these new circumstances might look like. There are so many uncertainties.

In many ways, we're in ministry triage… trying to discern what "limbs" we don't have to amputate. The Evil One has many ways of trying to cripple, sow doubt, and use shame to make God's people in Mibu ineffective. But this week I also saw that the church in Mibu is rooted enough in God's Word, and dependent enough on Him, to keep moving forward through uncertainty—and even to experience joy in their suffering.

It is praiseworthy to note that what I witnessed during my time in Mibu affirmed their maturity as a church. Despite the difficulty and uncertainty, I saw godly wisdom, thoughtfulness, and especially graciousness as we all scrambled to assess the situation. I am so very proud of my brothers and sisters there!

We met every day about different matters, with lots of side discussions as well. There were many reminders that Chris' leaving does not change the fact that Jesus is the head of the church, and that the on-the-ground work of the church has never depended on Chris, or Geoff, or anyone else—but on God working through His people. And while some of the physical things Chris provided will no longer continue (things which perhaps added convenience, and even created a bit of unhealthy dependency), their absence does not change the reality that we are the redeemed of God, the bride of Christ, here to reflect who He is and to share His Good News for the duration of our sojourning in this world.

If I felt inadequate and ineffective before all this, imagine how much more so now. I've struggled in recent years to keep up even with a partner in ministry. Now that partner of over 21 years is suddenly gone—leaving not only unfinished work, but also much of the resulting mess to sort through. To say I feel overwhelmed is an understatement. This is my next phase of anxiety to work through. I KNOW I can't do all that is needed. God's Spirit keeps reminding me of my conviction that, indeed, everything is going to be alright. I am deeply thankful for those within NTM PNG who are stepping up to take on tasks that would otherwise be impossible—or overwhelming—for me alone.

The additional challenges are just beginning. There is a lot we will have to figure out, a little at a time. One thing is certain: I've got my work cut out if I'm going to trim back things that pull me away from ministry and prioritize enough time to make significant progress in translation and lesson development, which continue to be the heart of my focus in ministry. There is still much to be done.

For several years now, our support has been low enough that I've had to split time with income-generating work just to make ends meet. It's clear that one of the things we must trust the Lord for is raising our support back up to where it should be so that I don't need to split my time so much, and can devote more time to ministry. Would you prayerfully consider whether God might be leading you to be a part of that going forward? If you feel so inclined, there is a link/button included at the top of this email which makes it super easy to give.

As always we appreciate your continued partnership through prayer and finances.

URGENT Update Regarding Mibu Ministry

An Urgent Update Regarding Mibu Ministry

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A little over a week ago, we were made aware that our co-worker, Chris Walker, had suddenly left his family and the ministry, departing from PNG altogether. In the communication that followed with his wife, Angie, and with a handful of others on the field, he indicated that he'd been unfaithful to her, and that he'd had an affair with someone outside of PNG.

To say this news shocked us is a gross understatement. Our prayers go especially to Angie and the kids as they deal with the fallout. Chris has communicated that his decision to leave his family and PNG was not due to any tension between him and Angie, nor the result of anything she did. Because of his explicit violation of Scripture and the mission's Code of Conduct, Chris was dismissed from organizational membership as of Aug 16th. Angie, who is guiltless in this matter, will retain her membership status. Since this situation is still very fresh, there remain many unanswered questions. Please pray that greater clarity will come with time.

Because of the sensitivity of this matter, if you know Angie personally, please refrain from reaching out to her with questions. Instead, direct those to Terry Ganka, one of the elders at her church (his contact info is below). That said, please do feel free to reach out to Angie with prayers, support, and words of encouragement and love. Angie and Titus are currently making their way back to Michigan, and teams both in PNG and at their home church have already mobilized to provide strong care and support.

Of course, this also has a significant impact on the Mibu Ministry, as Chris was a central part of our team. I (Geoff), together with field leadership and the Mibu church, am working to assess the situation, provide a sort of "ministry triage," and determine what essential aspects of ministry can be sustained going forward. Because of the urgency of this matter, I made last-minute plans to travel to PNG and into Mibu, and by the time you're reading this, I should already be there. We thank the Lord for the rapid provision of the finances that made this trip possible. While there, I'll be meeting with the elders and other church leaders, breaking the news to the rest of the church, and walking with them through the many questions this will raise. Please pray that the church in Mibu will find encouragement and strength during this very difficult season. They have already been through so much in recent years.

Looking ahead, my core focus must remain on continuing the Bible translation project, developing key lesson material, and consulting with the Mibu church leaders. There are several important areas of ministry I simply cannot take on alone, so we deeply appreciate your prayers as we work with the church and NTM leadership to discern what "moving forward" will look like. There will inevitably be things that will be difficult—or even impossible—to do. But we know God the Father already knows these things, and that He has a plan and purpose. We trust that He will finish what He has started in Mibu, even if it looks different than we expected. We're OK with that. We will continue to trust in His faithfulness and goodness.

We also know that Jesus is the Redeemer. As messy as this situation seems, He is more than capable of redeeming it—on all levels. We trust, hope, and pray toward that end, and we ask you to do the same.

This is a painful time for everyone, especially Chris's family. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for them, for Chris, for the church in Mibu, for NTMPNG leadership, and for us. We will continue to keep you updated as things progress. Thank you for the prayers and support you've faithfully given over the years!

In Christ,

Geoff Husa

Contact Information for Questions:

Terry Ganka

(269) 354-7121

terrence_ganka@yahoo.com

Mibu Ministry Update - A Fruitful Trip!

Dear friends,

We are so grateful for the Lord's provision through many of you, allowing Maddie and me to return to Papua New Guinea recently! This trip was essential for advancing the translation work, and we are excited to share how things went.

The translation check was a success! Over three long but fruitful days, we worked with four Mibu speakers who we flew out of the village to go through 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Revelation. We made it through all the material, identifying just a handful of areas that need fine-tuning before finalization. These letters are now right at the finish line—an incredible milestone!

After the check, Maddie and I, along with my co-worker Chris, made a quick trip into Mibu for three short but meaningful days. For Maddie, it was bittersweet—it had been over four years since she was last there. Missionary kids often experience deep loss, with constant changes in friends, homes, and familiar places. This visit was a big deal for her. Seeing the house she grew up in, now mostly empty, brought up a lot of emotions. But at the same time, being back as a young adult, sharing her testimony, stories, and pictures with Mibu friends was healing for her and deeply encouraging for the people there. Several told us how much joy it brought them to see her return, even for a short time!

One major project Chris and I tackled was finally getting our new internet system up and running properly. During my last visit in November, we weren't able to integrate it into our existing network. This time, we replaced the whole system, and we're pleased to report it's working great! This faster, more reliable connection will significantly improve our ability to communicate and collaborate remotely—essential for translation work and discipleship.

After leaving Mibu, we endured several long travel days back to the U.S., with stops in Port Moresby and Sydney. A fun highlight in Port Moresby was visiting the offspring of one of our former pets from Mibu—now part of a breeding program success story at the renowned Port Moresby Nature Park! And with just a short layover to spend in Sydney, what do you do? Hop on a double-decker tour bus and take in the key sights! It was a perfect bookend to our journey and a special father-daughter experience.

We can't thank you enough for your prayers and generosity in making this trip possible. Your partnership means so much to us, and we are grateful every day.

 

 

 

Exciting Update & Opportunity to Support Bible Translation

Dear friends,

I wanted to send a quick update as plans for my upcoming translation check are in full swing! In just a couple of weeks, I'll be traveling with my daughter, Maddie, to conduct a long-overdue translation check on 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Revelation in the Ma language.

For those unfamiliar with this process, I've already been working closely with my translation consultant, who has been reviewing our work for accuracy and clarity. After addressing all questions and potential misunderstandings, we will do one final comprehension test with native speakers. This is the last step before these books are officially recognized as Scripture!

Between answering consultant notes, handling travel logistics, and—oh yeah—working on taxes, these past weeks have been packed! I'm also thrilled to have Maddie joining me. This trip is a special opportunity for her to reconnect with the place she grew up, process the many transitions and struggles that missionary kids experience, and also serve alongside me. As her father, I'm looking forward to this time together!

A Note on Finances

We're still about $3,000 short of the needed funds for this trip. We're so grateful for the generosity that has allowed us to move forward with purchasing tickets and booking stays, but we still have expenses ahead. Would you prayerfully consider contributing? Every gift, big or small, helps make this possible.

Giving is easy! Just click the button/link at the top of this email, and it will take you to the Ethnos360 donation page, where you'll find several ways to give.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and generosity! We're excited to see how God uses this trip to advance His Word among the Mibu people.

In Christ,

Geoff and Shannon