Twas the night before car repairs

‘Twas the night before Christmas,

And driving my car,

The engine was quitting,

It did not go far.

The drivebelt had slipped

Off the tensioner pulley.

The motor stalled out

Like a cast-iron bully.

I shifted to park

And turned the start key.

With the roar of the engine

I shouted with glee.

The light on the dash

Of the new running car

Was the battery light…

It would not get far.

With no force applied

To the dead alternator

I had to get home

Immediately, not later.

Away down the road

I flew like a fawn.

But turning was hard-

Power steering was gone!

More rapid than eagles

My curses they came.

And I grumbled and growled

And loudly complained.

“You bucket of bolts!

You big useless car!

I’m taking you into

the used scrap junkyard!”

The van made it back

To its parking spot home.

Then I Googled “drivebelt”

And watched Youtube videos.

Then taking a 15mm

Chrome box-end wrench

I pulled back on the tensioner

Until my teeth had to clench.

And slipping the drive belt

Back into its spot

I cranked up the car

Till the engine was hot.

My advice to you all

‘fore you drive out of sight:

Take a look at your belt

And make sure it’s on tight.

"...As Incense"

We were recently asked what we need prayers for. Here is our current list:

Pray that we and our children are drawn closer to God as a result of our mission work.
 
Pray that our family becomes closer to each other in love, respect, comfort, and concern.
 
Pray that the government officials in Papua New Guinea are receptive to allowing missionaries to remain in PNG.
 
Pray that we peacefully transition from the US to PNG.
 
Pray that our rental property sells.
 
Pray that our house sells.
 
Pray that we can obtain educational materials.
 
Pray for our health.
 
Pray for our safe passage and travel.

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
    and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

 ~Psalm 141:2

Still going, still praying.

We are still planning on going to PNG, that has not changed. In fact, they need missionaries (and a Business Manager) now more than ever. But it is correct that there have been, and currently are, attempts to deport Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) missionaries.

I do not have all the details, but I do know that the LCMS Office of International Mission and Synod President Matt Harrison are involved in resolving the current situation and are working toward a long-term solution that will enable us to have a continued presence in PNG. 

In times like these it is easy to get dismayed and discouraged. Add to future uncertainty the discomfort of current turmoil and you have a recipe for stress, fear, and trembling.

In times like these we need to turn to the founder and perfecter of our faith, and find comfort in God's word:

WORDS OF COMFORT

Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Behold, all who are incensed against you
shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
shall be as nothing and shall perish.

 

ISAIAH 41:10-11

 

Let us pray for everyone involved. For the missionaries and their families and even their pets and animals. Pray for the government officials to do their duty in all justice and honesty.

 

 

 

Pray for the communities who are assisted by the missionaries. Pray for the church body that the previous generation of missionaries established, the Gutnius Lutheran Church. Pray for those in positions of leadership. Pray that a beneficial resolution can be reached that will allow the work of the missionaries to continue unimpeded.

You shall seek those who contend with you,
but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
shall be as nothing at all.
 

For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.”

 

ISAIAH 41:12-13