We have been back in the states a month now. It’s been good. We feel like we are “back”. I do not feel like we are in a groove of any sort but more of a rat race. I tend to forget how fast the “American” life is. In PNG we do the same old…every day. With that being said, when I am in PNG I long for all the freedom and things that I am missing. But now that we are back and will be for these few months I realize how wonderful it is. Just to do the same thing each day and to not have to worry about where we are going and what we need to buy, is freeing.

We pictured America very different upon our arrival, but to our surprise, and I believe the timing, we are thankful that things are much more laid back then we perceived to be.

Caleb and I both noticed a difference in our kids and their transition. All the years before as we have come back to the States they have been young. Now that Elijah will be 12 and Bella is 10 they see things differently. I believe they have transitioned fine. I can tell you that they both miss their freedom to run and jump and play sports. They also are not used to the cold here and have been getting used to that as well. Here are some of their quotes since returning,

1. “ Why are there lines in the middle of the road”- Elijah

2. “ Are the food stores always open?”- Bella

3. “Why are the cars going so fast?”- Elijah

We don’t go out at night in PNG, let alone to a store at night. PNG does not have lines in there non -paved, pot hole road, making it almost impossible to drive fast anywhere.

We praise God for His hand upon us while we traveled and giving us the neg. Covid tests to return. The time with family has been priceless and we look forward to making many new memories with them.

We haven’t forgotten our Moka people and actually miss them so. I pray often for them by name. We are praying for the Lord to do a work in the village while we are gone. It’s hard to explain but once you hit American soil and start living your everyday life here, it feels like PNG is a dream. To go from living in the jungle and eating bananas on my porch to living in a house in NJ where I can get in the car and go anywhere I want and buy good food and COFFEE. We must not lose our focus. I can see how easy it is for Americans to lose the focus of missions. “Out of sight out of mind” It is such a true statement. Please pray for your missionaries overseas. Think of them, encourage them, and Pray!

The power of prayer is so important, we know we live by it! 

Prayer requests.

• That God will save the Moka people

• For Kobe, in the village and that his life would be spared from organ failure.

• For our time in the states and that we would stay focused on Christ

• A good and healthy holiday season with family.