We have much to be thankful for and we want to share it with you.
It has been nice to have a few days of being all together this summer before Patrick flies out again on July 16th to teach at CLTC for 8 weeks.
Praise: An open door for Patrick to return to teach in PNG. Pray: God will use Patrick as he teaches, preaches, and mentors the students and staff.
Praise: Kristin graduated from Bryan College and has a wonderful internship opportunity. Pray: God will stretch and grow Kristin during her internship – deeper and closer in her walk with Him and learning more clearly what her ministry gifts are.
On May 29th Benjamin turned 20. On May 31st he began online classes with the University of North Georgia. He is taking a full load (5 classes) and completing an entire semester in 2 months. It is intense but he is doing very, very well and grumbles when he gets lower than an A on any assignment! We praise the Lord for all the progress Benjamin has made in the last 5 months.
Praise: Benjamin is doing well at UNG. Pray: Continued success in school for Benjamin.
Karis is now 16 and has completed the 10th grade. July 10-22 she will be attending a seminar/camp for teenagers who have grown up overseas. It is sponsored by Barnabas International Ministries and its purpose is to help these young adults transition into life in the United States. The pictures above are just a reminder of how wonderful (and different!) it was for our children to grow up in PNG. There are aspects of American life that Karis enjoys but she still really misses Papua New Guinea.
Praise: Karis has the opportunity to attend this camp. Pray: The camp will be helpful for Karis as she continues to adjust to life in the U.S.
We have enjoyed two family reunions this summer. The first was the annual get together of Colcord cousins at Deep Creek, North Carolina. We had a special memorial service for Jan’s cousin, Roddy, who went to be with the Lord last October.
Deep Creek also included lots of time to tube, talk, play games, and just hang out with cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and more. It is always a sweet time that we enjoy very much.
Patrick’s family reunion was July 4th weekend in Ohio and had lots of food, talking, and laughter…
as well as some first-class karaoke and “serious” corn-hole competition.
Praise: Sweet family reunions as well as summer fun and rest (especially for Jan) Pray: Strength and peace for Jan while Patrick is away. (And it wouldn’t hurt to pray for nice 8th graders this next school year. :))
We always give thanks to our Heavenly Father for you all – our loving, faithful family, friends, and supporters. Thank you for being a part of our lives and for helping make our continued ministry in Papua New Guinea (and America) possible.
pnghalls 
Thanks for such a lovely positive update. All the best as Patrick returns to teach. What a great privilege. But it cant be easy to be between 2 countries so far apart!
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We’re looking forward to catching up with Patrick term 3, but wish so much that that you were going to be there too, Jan. Great to read the encouraging stories. Blessings, Ross & Alison
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We appreciate all your updates. It’s always so good to hear about your family. So glad you had a great time in Ohio. We wish you both the best in your teaching Patrick and Jan….and also for the kids future choices. God bless, John & Dolores
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So awesome to see things going well. Will pray for you Patrick and Jan as Patrick is back in PNG for a time. So glad to hear Benjamin doing so well. Praise God. That is huge. We praise God for Kristin graduating, too. Wow, they have all grown up so fast. Thanks for the updates. Love you guys!
Tim and Deb
Zeph 3:17
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Patrick and Jan, thanks for the great update. How I wish that I could climb into Patrick’s suitcase as he flies back to PNG. It goes without saying how grown up all of your children are. (They are also so incredibly talented too!) May the Lord bless and keep all of you in the palm of His hand. (Jan, do you want me to send you a stool and a whip to keep those 8th graders in line?) Jeff Graf
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