One Amazing Day (Summer Update #1)

Hey Folks!

This isn't even a real "update"- I've been a little sick, and very busy, and haven't had time yet to write something extremely long. (Lucky you :) ) So many cool things have happened! But for now, here's a summary of today (Sunday July 15th for me- still Saturday for you).

First off, let me explain that there are some guys here working on a film project. They're making a short film about ITF, for future promotional use. Well, they need "movie stars", and I get to be part of their team. It's pretty sweet.

Today, my "big assignment" was to go on a trip to a tribe, so we could join the Believers in a worship service. I was so excited!! It was like a mini-sidetrip. So, we loaded up early, and traveled down the Highlands Highway (in the OPPOSITE direction of town- I've never been that way :) ), to a long bumpy road, over a bridge that was really scary because so much of it was missing, to the Yagaria tribe.

I didn't know this, but Yagaria was only the second work New Tribes began in PNG- back in the 1950's. Wow.

We got there, met up with the man who was "hosting" us, Iteve, and then started hiking to the church. This was like a 30 minute hike- down one steep slope and up another, complete with cliffs, water holes, and a mud pit. Waaaaay up at the top of the last ridge, there was a little village with some cool houses, and the church.

The girls and I sat down, and very soon ladies and children from the village started coming up to us and sitting with us. "Detene!" (good morning in Yagaria) I met a little girl named Darcy, and then a lady who explained (in Pidgin) that she was Darcy too- the namesake of the little girl. I got to meet Darcy's mom, and she was Eteve's wife. The ladies were fascinated with my curly hair, so they were playing with it, and I was just loving all of this! We talked and talked until it was time to go in.

So we file in, men on one side, women and children on the other. I'd brought my Pidgin Bible with me, so I could follow along with references. I tend to understand more Pidgin than I can speak, so I was able to follow along for a lot of the service. (Eteve spoke in tok ples, then would repeat what he said in pidgin for us) We sang some songs, and then listened to a message.

I tell you... being there, in that little one room church, on top of a hill, in the middle of the Highlands- it's the best thing. I WISH you could have been there with me... Because these silly typed out words don't do it justice...

Iteve said that though we're from different places, we have "one bel" (one heart), and "one lain" (we're of the same family)- we all belong to God. He said this church doesn't matter to God. The name we give ourselves, and the building- it doesn't matter. What matters is our belief in Jesus- God's son. He said the Bible will straighten your thinking, show you your sin- it's God's talk, and it's got power like nothing else. He said Jesus died on the cross, and that gives us a relationship with God. He referred to 1Peter 2:2 (I think) where it talks about spiritual food, and encouraged us to grow, and come up big- the kind of believer God wants us to be. When we do this, we'll be blessed with spiritual fruit (Gal. 5). He reminded us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). We can do good things, but if you're doing it for other men or for yourself, you're coming short of serving God. Jesus' work makes us pleasing to God. He talked about how a new car or a big house can make people in the USA, Australia, New zealand and PNG feel like they're happy, but we need to be filled with happiness from the Holy Spirit. He said that in God's eye, our souls are more expensive than "4 billion dollars". We are priceless to God. He reminded us that we "come up clean already" (John 15:3), and that if we come close to God, He will come close to us (James 4:8).

Wow.

All this from a man in the middle of the forest, on top of a hill in the mountains of New Guinea.

At the end, the Papa of the tribe stood up, and explained that many years ago, he was the one who had invited the New Tribes missionaries to come there so they could share "God's talk" with them there in Yagaria, and he was so happy to have us there today too, to worship with them and share God's talk again. Like one of the film guys said- "we are in the presence of a saint", and really- this tiny little old man just radiated.

Friends- the church is alive. AND- it is in places you wouldn't even dream of. Today was such a sweet reminder to me that when we get to Heaven, it's not just going to be a "reunion" with just the believers we happened to be friends with. These people I met today are going to be there. The people I'll never see again in Pawaia (from Jan-Feb 2006) are going to be there. The 5 believers I met in Kaul in Feb 2007 will be there. People you and I can't even imagine will be there- from EVERY tribe, tongue and nation. And it WILL be like a reunion- we'll be so happy to see eachother- these people from times past and times still to come- that all worship the One True God. I get emotional just thinking about this- it's such a beautiful thing.

I pray every person reading this will get to MEET these people some day, because we have "One Bel". One heart. Isn't that cool?? You could meet these same people!

I gotta get going- some of the students are having a special little thing tonight and I promised I'd go. I love you, and hope you are doing well! Please write me! It took about 7 days before I started getting homesick! Share prayer requests- I'd love to pray for you!

NEW Prayer Requests (3 days away)

I leave in 3 more days... I can't believe this.

Please pray for me. Satan always ALWAYS attacks me- either right before, or right after one of these trips... (sometimes both) And now is no exception to that.

The biggest thing I am in need of is prayer for heart discipline. Also that I would be open and willing to learning some really hard lessons I believe God's trying to teach me right now. I want sooooo badly to be within God's will concerning this one thing... I pray for deliverance if this situation isn't God's will, and He opens doors instead of closing them. I pray for reduction of self, and instead a whole lot of pride comes out. I pray for GOD'S will to be my will, and I see all of this playing out, and it's just disheartening...

Please pray about trip finances- as of today, I believe there is still $1600 left to raise.

Please praise God with me for His provision of the job that I have- at my school- because my coworkers and some of the kids' parents really overblessed me today. It was so amazing!

I feel like I'm "floating" right now... I don't know what God wants me to do... I'm wishing one situation would be over and done with in one breath, and praying for help and healing in the next.

So please remember me.

And I will remember you. I would LOVE to pray with and for you- for any need that you might have. Please share with me at your discretion. I will still have email access on this trip, and can be reached at angelaxid@gmail.com.

Prayer Requests

Well, it's crunch time- less than 3 weeks before the Exit, and I'm getting VERY excited! How crazy-blessed am I to get to go AGAIN!?

I do have some prayer requests- some a little sillier than others, but all still are prayer needs.

1. For the team that's going as we travel- it's a pretty large group- I believe 29 total. Please pray for our patience in airports, and for bonding and fellowship in the first few days we're together.

2. For ministry opportunities with these students- I'm going primarily for them- so, please pray that I will be alert to whatever needs they have that may arise.

3. For a roommate for me back home- I would really appreciate one- haven't had one in almost a full year now...

4. (here's a silly one) Like on the last trip, I really want to go on Side Trip if possible! But I'm being more specific this time- I want to go to MADANG on Side Trip! I've been back to PNG twice since 2004, and have not been able to return to Madang... But it's highly likely that one of the side trips will be to there. I have a feeling that this will either be my last trip to PNG, OR it will be a while before I return... and I just want to go back to the first place I visited.

5. For trip finances- as of today, I have about 50% raised, and still need $2200. I'm not at all worried though, because God's definitely proven to be my Great Provider in the past, and praise Him- I think I know better now!

6. For travel plans when I return home in July- my tickets for U.S. travel are close to $1000. Also, I may have to go immediately into a stressful family setting the day after I return, and I really just don't want to... So for God's will to be played out in this.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!! Please tell me how I can best pray for you as well. It would be such an honor!

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