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.
