Api Nun (Appy noon),

This is a PNG greeting that we have learned, and it means “have a good afternoon”. Today we traveled to a little village called Nebula and attended a local church there. This church is the one in the picture below and it was just built and we had the privilege to attend the first service ever in this church. There are no lights or windows at all in the church and we sat on the floor. It was an amazing service and were so blessed to be able to take part in the service. Mark and Meg were both asked to give their testimonies and I feel that God really used what they said to bless the people there.

The journey to the church was the most exciting part of today. First it was about a half hour or forty five minute drive to get to the actual village. Once we arrived at the village we had to hike down a muddy hillside and then cross a river on slippery rocks. Most of the team did really well at keeping themselves dry. Unfortunately, my balance was a little off. On the way to the church I made it about half way across the river and then I slipped into the river. Fortunately, I only got the bottom of my skirt wet. But, on the way back to the cars after the church service I decided to just pull my skirt up and walk through the water, instead of trying to balance on the slippery rocks. I was almost across the river and then I slipped on a rock in the river and fell right into the river. I was soaking wet, but it was really funny, and I’m sure that the locals really got a kick out of it.

We got to see a lot of beautiful scenery on our trip, and it was really cool to see the people interact with the team. On our way out of the village we had the entire family line following us to our vehicles and then the children chased after the vehicles for a good five minutes. It was exciting and very different for us, because we had people surrounding us the whole time we were there. My introverted self had a time of growing this afternoon, and I know that God is showing me so much through this whole experience.

Tomorrow we will continue our work out at the Bible College, and Mark and Lisette will be teaching Diane’s classes tomorrow. Please keep them in your prayers and also keep Diane in your prayers, because she is a little under the weather. Thank you for all of your prayers.

In Christ,

Steph and the Team  

Nathan is taking the picture, but the rest of us are in the picture.  Can you find us all?