Wow! What a Year!

On By pandjhall

That’s probably what ALL of you are saying! When you prayed Patrick home from Papua New Guinea last March we never dreamed that now – 10 months later – he wouldn’t be able to get back in. The College has applied for his visa but we have not heard back. Regardless, there are no available flights. The flights are either too expensive or too complicated. For example, going through Hong Kong is expensive. Plus, there is only one flight a week to Port Moresby. If a flight was cancelled Patrick would have to spend two weeks self-isolating in Hong Kong. Even staff from New Zealand cannot get flights. However, CLTC has asked Patrick to teach the book of Romans online! PTL!

  • CLTC’s Bachelor of Theology students who graduated in December 2020. Patrick has taught this group for the past 5 years and is so thankful for the relationships that have developed with these students.

Meanwhile, we have had a full semester teaching & ministering in Clarkston. Below is a slide show (Click on the arrows.) of our afternoon “Homework Help” program. Due to security issues we cannot show the faces of several of the students so that is why some of the pictures are from behind.

Sha Ko is the tutor on the right. He is one of Patrick’s Bible students from Burma. When Sha Ko heard that we had students who speak his language he decided to help out. What a great provision for these young ones who have been in the U.S. for only about 18 months!

The mom of the children above expressed her thanks by bringing us a treat – twice. 🙂

  • Sticky steamed rice wrapped in some kind of leaf and served with sugar.
  • Jan tried it.
  • Benjamin finished them off!

We couldn’t resist this picture of “Mama Amina” and her friend, William. Mama Amina is a beloved member of our church and a refugee from a Muslim background in Africa. Recently her leg was broken in a car accident and she is enjoying her motorized wheelchair as she recovers. 🙂

Family News

Because of Covid 19 all of our normal family gatherings were small. However, Jan’s family was still able to celebrate her dad’s birthday.

Celebrating “Pop’s” 86th Birthday. We are thankful Jan’s parents have stayed healthy during this pandemic.

We were able to see Mark and Julie, Dylan and Luke this past summer and again at Thanksgiving. They are all doing well in Maryland – working and boys schooling at home.

Kristin is still enjoying her job at Passion City Church – DC (and yes, we have called her a few times lately to check on her!)

Benjamin is doing well working online from home.

Karis is in her 3rd year at Toccoa Falls College and really enjoys living at the MK house.

Karis enjoyed a trip to see big Sis in DC – even in the midst of the craziness. They just hung out a lot but they also were able to visit Mt. Vernon – George Washington’s home.

ALL THAT RED HAIR!!!

Praise Points:

  1. We are thankful that we are all healthy. Jan still loves teaching at Clarkston High School – just not the online part! She is hoping they will be able to teach “in person” sooner rather than later! Patrick is continuing to teach at CBI (Clarkston Bible Institute) and mentor students.
  2. Even though Patrick is unable to return to PNG at this time we are very thankful he can continue to teach his PNG students online.
  3. For all the volunteers we had with Homework Help. A total of 14 tutors came at various times to love and encourage the students and help them navigate online learning.

Prayer Points

  1. Pray for Patrick’s teaching:
    • as he shifts his Romans course to online. Pray he will have wisdom to know best how to teach Romans in a way that is clear and allows good communication between him and the students.
    • that the internet at CLTC will work consistently!
    • that the Clarkston CBI students will grow in their understanding of God’s Word and effectively teach it in their ethnic churches
  2. Jan is very thankful that instead of teaching from home, she is now able to return to the classroom to teach online. Pray that soon Jan’s students will have the option to learn in person. Online is so very difficult for many of them.
  3. We continue to be as burdened as the rest of you about our country.  Please keep praying that God will use His people in the midst of all the heartache and division to point people to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

6 thoughts on “Wow! What a Year!”

  5. Donald R Younce's avatar Donald R Younce

    So great full to have known your family over the years from our time at HCM and beyond. Father in the name of Jesus keep this family in the palm of your hand and pour out a blessing on them as they continue in the work that you have called them to.

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