Goodbyes

We are saying a round of goodbyes again. Most of these are temporary until we return in July. Our friends from the village next door came over and brought us a gift, it was really special as we know they used a good portion of their paycheck to get something for us. They know Matthew is headed home soon and they will probably never see him again and they constantly talk about it. Matthew is also aware of this big transition coming and asked us to give pictures of him to a few of the local friends we have made, that he has spent some time with and he wants some pictures of them. What a great experience God has provided for a young man beginning his adult life.
Below is a picture of Godfrey and Katie and the gift they brought us.



We said some of the goodbyes are temporary because one family we have lived on the center with and grown to love are leaving the Madang area to finish the work they began in a tribe in the Sepik region of PNG. They recently completed the entire New Testament translation and are now finishing Bible lessons and wanting to be closer to the village in order to disciple and encourage the believers there. Over 20 years of their lives was poured into this people group and God has been faithful to raise up a church that is growing and maturing. Now they are in the last few years of service on the field and desire to finish strong. They will be retiring in a couple years when they reach 65 and returning to the UK. We will miss Andrew and Ruth.