The adventures of Term 4

The last 2 weeks of the term was hectic getting (Chad and Meliah) ready to go and making sure the lists for items to get were double checked and all the necessary paperwork was in order.  This is at an end of a school term that felt more like an entire school year and not just 10 weeks.  God has been guiding us throughout this whole journey but when you stop and think about all the things that went on in Term 4, we couldn't have done it without God or His grace. 

Many of you know that we had 3 extra girls living with us for almost a month. This is how we became the Brady Bunch.  That is also when we didn’t have a haus meri because of her son being in the haus sik (hospital). 
This was the term where not only Chad was trying to deploy an aviation upgrade and fulfill some significant commitments he had made, but he also took on the role of CTS manager, again as the current manger was taking on a different role within the branch.  So Chad was trying to balance all of that while trying to think ahead to the break.  

Right after the extra 3 girls left, we got word that my Grandma had entered her eternal home.  I was glad to know that we will all see her again with Jesus and she will be her spunky, stubborn, creative self again.  I was sad because I couldn’t be there to help my family go through the process.

Chad & Meliah's talk at New Horizons Community Church in Spokane

Meliah and I had the honor and privilege to speak at our sending church New Horizons Community Church at 5-mile in Spokane Washington this last Sunday. Here is the recording of our talk for your listening pleasure.

 NHCC Talk June 30th

Sorry that I don't have the slides for you to view... maybe I can get to that after we get back to PNG.

Thanks for all your support both financially and in prayer!

May God bless you and grant you peace,
-Chad

This is how we became 'The Brady Bunch'

To say that things have been busy around here would be the understatement of the year.  And it goes without saying that God has been with us, He has been our strength now, and forever more. He is how we have gotten through this crazy and busy time of our lives. 

As many of you know we live in an old childrens home/hostel.  We love the place and the space etc. 
Well, you have a big place and guess what?  You inherit extra kids!  I have always said I do little people (the requirement is they have to be shorter than me).  Well through a series of events we have ended up with 3 extra TEENAGERS.  Yes, start humming the Brady Bunch theme song.  The kids are great kids.  We love having them.  There are times where Chad and I look at each other and say, "how in the world are we doing this, with both of us have full time jobs and not having any more house help then we did before?” With other hostels that are open they have full time haus merris to do laundry and clean etc.  Well, since we aren’t technically a hostel in the system, I just have a haus merrie 1 day a week.  

Crockpot Jesus

Do you ever get the feeling that God is a procrastinator? Have you ever wished His timing was less like a crockpot and more like a microwave? In our “want it now” culture we have come to expect instant results and quick solutions.

 

I used to struggle with wanting to know what I should do or how things would end up. This anxiety and impatience was especially strong when life felt hard or I was suffering. I would cry out to God desperately wanting to know what He was cooking up in my life. I didn’t really care how He preferred to cook it, in a microwave or a crockpot; I just really wanted a taste. I wanted to know what the plan was so I could just do what He wanted me to. But He was procrastinating…

 

A picture blog to catch you up on the happenings in the Michael Family household.

Chad and Ruth ready for a "date" night.  A very rare but treasured occurance.

We add another daughter to our family for a few weeks every term.  She is a delight to have.

2012 – Michaels in PNG: Year in Review

It seems time goes by faster the older you get and the older your kids get. But as I think back through this last year, I’m amazed at how far this family has come. Not only in terms of miles from home, but of where we were, physically, spiritually and emotionally.  Last year at this time we were heading towards transitions. A move to a new home, visiting Cairns Australia for a week, and then 6 weeks of POC training.  I think I remember saying to myself, “Ok, take a deep breath and hold on.“ God hasn’t let me down so far.

As many of you know, I am not the type of person who likes change or looks for adventure. Yes I know Chad is on the other side of the spectrum which is good because we balance each other in this regard.  This year, as in the previous one, God has been stretching and growing me in ways that I never would of thought.  5 years ago if you would of said, “Ruth is going to be in PNG for 3 yrs or more!” I probably would have laughed hysterically.  Reflecting back on what God called us to and trying to seek His will for the future of where he wants us, is a hard but a good place to be.

Before we made the decision to come to PNG, Chad and I were both feeling like something was going to happen but had no clue what was coming down the pipeline. We had a sense of those feelings for almost 2 years.  When we arrived here and were settled into our “new” lives, the feeling of “Yep! This is where God wants us to be-for now.” gave us great relief.  I love being content in the knowledge we are doing what God asks of us and how it feels.

Yes, there are days where I would love to be “home” enjoying the conveniences of the American society and culture.  But then I am reminded again that being in God’s will is so much more important than running through a drive through and getting an ice cold soda or mocha. As Chad and I have talked about what the future may hold we keep coming back to what is God’s will and then what does that look like for us in our marriage and with our girls?  We haven’t gotten the email, fax, or certified letter from God strung down from heaven that says what He wants from us long term, other than what He has already told us in His word.  We just daily ask, “What is your will for today AND please guide us for the future.” Not only Chad and my future but for the girls.

As we have 1 that only has a year and half left of living with us (GULP) and then one that has just entered the world of teenager (double gulp) and then yet another one that may be the most influenced by if we come back to PNG or if we stay in the USA because she is still at that very sponge like age and can make the most impact.  Meliah, Annakah and Kiery are definitely more global thinkers than they would have been had we stayed state-side.

There is a lot to think about and pray earnestly about.  Not to mention other factors of finances, family, support etc.  God will never give you more than you can handle but just enough to always say “Lord, help!!!!”

-Ruth Michael

Christmas in Ukarumpa

I marvel at the simplicity of the Christmas season here.  Yes, it does get busy and sometimes extremely busy, but it’s worth the busyness for the time we can have in relationship with each other.
 
There are the work Christmas parties, the class Christmas parties, the small group get togethers and cookies needed for this or that. The store “black Saturday sale” and the community “craft fair”. Then the end of school term busyness of extra things that need to be accomplished before next term can begin.  The good-byes to friends that are leaving “finish” at the end of the semester.  The band and choir programs for both campus’ (Primary and Secondary), and of course, the Christmas chapels.  And in everything we do there is prayer AND the gospel message is shared.  There is never the assumption that “Oh these people are missionaries or missionary kids. Surely they know the stories so why bother telling them again?”

PNG culture is very relationship driven.  It definitely keeps one in check of how busy or not busy to be when you realize that you don’t have time for relationship.  Let’s face it, relationships take time, and even more time to do them well.  If you are doing errands it is easy to get in task mode, but then you see a Papua New Guinean that you are familiar with and say, “Moning. Yu stap orait?”  And that opens the door to saying, “Yes, I will take the time to talk to you and have relationship with you.”  How easy is it for us, yes even me in this culture, to get caught up in the “Things To Do” list and forget God designed us for relationship, not just for checking things off of a list (even though it feels very good at the time to cross it out). God wants us to be in relationship with others, Christ followers and not, and more importantly to be in constant relationship with Him.  Relationships are one of the very few things that are an eternal investment.

One night we were taking turns before dinner to pray for someone on our countdown to Christmas chain.  It was Meliah’s turn and she was praying just like she was having a 1 on 1 conversation with her friend.  It struck me that even though it doesn’t sound “religious” or didn’t have the formalities of some prayers.  She was talking to God as she would a friend.  That is what Jesus Christ wants. A relationship and friendship with you and me.

Yupela kisim gutpela hamas dispel Kristmas na nu yia!
Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
-Ruth Michael