Karis

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Karis graduated from high school on May 24.  Hooray!!! This August she will begin attending Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa, Georgia.  She is excited that she will be rooming with another missionary kid who grew up in Papua New Guinea.  When I asked she said she is most looking forward to living away from home. (Hmm…Not sure what that says about Mom and Dad!  I think I will attribute it to her enjoying living on a college campus the first 14 years of her life. :))

Praise: For all the details falling into place for Karis to attend Toccoa Falls

Pray: For Karis’ adjustment to college life – that she will grow closer to the Lord, develop healthy friendships, do well in her studies, and balance work and school responsibilities.

Clarkston Bible Institute

June 23 was the first graduation of the Clarkston Bible Institute.  In the past year these students  completed 10 courses in Bible and ministry and graduated with a Bible Certificate for Pastors or Leaders. Balongelwa, Leonard, and Mang Lam all serve in their local ethnic churches. Michelle will be heading to Chad, Africa in October to begin her mission journey.

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Praise: Patrick will be teaching in Clarkston again when he returns from PNG mid-September.  This is a volunteer position in which he will be teaching during the weekday program (which is a condensed one year course) and the Saturday program (which is a three year course).

Praise:  11 students (2 Congolese, 1 Haitian, and 5 Burmese, and 3 Karenni )  have been accepted for next school year!

Pray:   For direction concerning Jan’s involvement in Clarkston.   Jan is talking with ministries there about teaching and/or tutoring beginning this fall.  And, we really want to connect and build relationships with the families of Patrick’s CBI students.

Summer Fun…

Our Deep Creek, NC reunion has grown!  Yes, there are 48 of us in this picture for our annual potluck meal.  About half of this crowd rented a cabin together.  We enjoyed lots of food, conversation, games, and of course,  tubing time.

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Family News

Kristin continues as our city girl (who was raised barefoot in Papua New Guinea 🙂 ).

Kristin says…The planting of Passion City Church in D.C. is going well.  They have been officially meeting on Sundays since April 1st.  They are seeing consistent growth and hear stories each week of how the Lord is moving. In the fall they will launch Community Groups in addition to their Sunday gatherings.  She also says she is loving her team and loving DC!

This summer Kristin enjoyed being in the wedding of  Jodie – her BFF from high school.  (Jodie was Kristin’s first roommate at Ukarumpa.)  And of course, the wedding of a PNG friend means an MK reunion!

Praise: The planting and growth of Passion City Church – DC

Pray: Kristin (and some roommates) are looking for a place to live.   The church has been given free office space in D.C!  Kristin wants to find affordable housing that is close enough to walk to work.

Beanie Boos anyone????

Benjamin is our family entrepreneur.  While shopping  at a toy store with his girlfriend, Gianni, Benjamin asked the manager if he sold anything on amazon.  To make a long story short…Now he does! Every couple of weeks Benjamin and Gianni label, list, package and send Beanie Boos to sell on Amazon.  Benjamin is getting some great business experience (and making some money).

Praise: After studying on his own this summer Benjamin just passed two CLEP exams and is now officially a junior in college.

Pray:  Benjamin will continue to make progress in school and seek and follow the Lord’s leading for his life.

Back at CLTC

Patrick is back teaching at CLTC for 8 weeks.  This term (quarter) he is teaching  Eschatology and Church & Ministry.   Pray for good communication of God’s Word to these beautiful brothers and sisters.

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Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support!  Patrick and Jan

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of March Patrick returned from another term of teaching at CLTC.  Yes, he was there for the 7.5 earthquake.  No one was hurt at CLTC, but 120 miles away there was considerable damage and some loss of life.

The earthquake struck at 3:45 a.m. on Monday, February 26th.  Its epicenter was a 120 miles southwest of  CLTC and the area is still having major aftershocks.

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The only damages to CLTC were a few leaks in some water tanks and some objects falling – especially library books – off of shelves.

This term Patrick loved teaching 3 classes: Bible Interpretation, Romans, and Preaching from the book of Romans.

Student Spotlight

Samuel and his wife, Josephine, are from the Southern Highlands Province (not far from the epicenter of the recent earthquake) and are part of the Evangelical Church of PNG. (ECPNG).  They were primary school teachers and served at different levels in the PNG education system before they went into full-time ministry.  This year they are both completing a one-year course at CLTC.  Josephine is doing an Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry and Samuel is working on a Graduate Diploma in Christian Ministry.   After graduating in December 2018 they plan to return to the Southern Highlands where Samuel will resume his work as the National General Secretary of the ECPNG.   They are also praying about the possibility of mission work as English teachers in West Papua or working with Aborigines in Australia.

About a week after Patrick returned from PNG we traveled to Maryland and spoke at a missions conference at Patrick’s home church (Forcey Bible Church).  We so appreciate Forcey’s commitment to missions and their faithful prayers and support for us for almost 30 years.  We stayed with Mark and Julie and the boys and enjoyed having some time with them.  We were also able to have a meal with Kristin and to see where she works and lives in D.C.

Praise:

1. Thank the Lord for protecting the people and property at CLTC during the earthquake.
2. Since Patrick’s return he has begun to teach at Clarkston Bible Institute and will continue to do so when he is in the U.S.
3. Kristin has settled well in Washington D.C.  When we were there she was advising Patrick on how to drive in the big city. 🙂
4. Karis graduates from high school on May 24th!

Pray:

1. For those affected by the earthquake.  Pray that relief efforts will be reach these remote areas and that the PNG church will reach out in compassion.
2. For the CLTC students to apply what they are learning to their lives. Also pray for the 2nd year bachelor degree students and 2nd year masters level students who have to complete a thesis this year.
3. Patrick’s PNG work permit and visa expire in January 2019.  Pray they will be renewed during his next trip to PNG (July – September) so as to avoid complications next January.
4. For Jan as she investigates getting involved in some kind of ministry teaching English as a second language to adult women.

To Be in Touch:    Patrick and Jan Hall – pjkbkhall@gmail.com

To Give by Mail:  Send gifts to:  D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund  / 501 N. Wales Road  / North Wales, PA 19454   (Checks should be made payable to D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund and include a separate note that it is for Patrick and Jan Hall.)

To Give Online:  You can contact D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund (215-362-6611) to arrange bill pay with them.

Happy February! 🙂

Patrick has recently returned to Papua New Guinea for another round of teaching.  So…I (Jan) have the  privilege of giving the family update.  Our November and December were probably a lot like yours – lots of get-togethers.  We celebrated Thanksgiving with Jan’s extended family, then with Patrick’s extended family.  Then, of course, Christmas…

We enjoyed a Christmas party with with our “Gathering Group” from church.  The kids  were definitely into the White Elephant exchange. 🙂

(Note Karis in the background with an ice pack.  She had dental surgery that day – a dying tooth removed and an implant…results of the 2012 car accident.  We are so very thankful to the Lord that some dental work is the only remaining issue from the accident.)

Hall Family Christmas

Colcord Family Christmas

 

In January we had some significant birthdays…

Karis’s 18th

Mom’s 80th!!!

We have all been busy with work and/or school…

Kristin continues her work at Passion City Church -D.C.  She describes her job… “Every day is different and the team is small so everyone wears a lot of hats,”  and her main role is “assisting the pastor and team with all things admin.”  Presently the church hosts a weekly community group/Bible study as well as special events.

Kristin has also enjoyed exploring the capital city and doing touristy things with visiting friends.

Benjamin and Karis are continuing with school and Benjamin working at Coastal Breeze  Restaurant.  Karis is job looking right now to help with next year’s school costs.  I told her my first job was at McDonald’s but she is leaning towards Chick Fila. 🙂

Great News  –  An Open Door!

We are thrilled to be able to share with you a new ministry that Patrick has been invited to be part of.  Before he left for PNG Patrick was able to substitute teach one day at the Clarkston Bible  Institute (CBI).  The group he taught included Mang Lam from Burma,  Balongelwa from the Democratic Republic of Congo,  Will – a missionary kid who grew up in Africa and Belgium,  Michelle from the U.S., and Leonard from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The CBI website says,  “One of the greatest needs in the Church today is for trained spiritual leaders.   There is an even greater need for trained leaders to minister in the ethnic communities in Clarkston or any culturally diverse area.”   Patrick has been invited to begin teaching at CBI  when he returns to the U.S. at the end of March!  CBI teaches in block courses so Patrick will be able to teach in between his trips to PNG.

Praise:

1. Patrick back in Papua New Guinea teaching Preaching, Bible Interpretation, and Romans…and loving it.
2. An increase in students at CLTC.  Classes began on  January 29th  and they have a total of 125 students this year.
3. The new open door Patrick has to teach at Clarkston Bible Institute when he is in the U.S.
4. The outreach of Passion City Church in the D.C. area.

Pray:

1. For all the new students and their families at CLTC – to settle into a new place and routine.  Some students have been out of school for several years and being back in the classroom is a huge adjustment.
2. That the head knowledge the CLTC students are learning will become heart knowledge.
3. The right job for Karis.
4. Psalm 90:12 for all of us – that we would “number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom” – especially in the regards to our devices and especially our children. Psalm 101:3 says, “I will set before my eyes no worthless thing.”  So much time spent on screen, not necessarily on “bad” things, but on time/life wasters.  Pray we won’t settle for anything less than an abundant, engaged life overflowing with Jesus!

Thank you so much all for your love, support, and encouragement.

To Be in Touch:    Patrick and Jan Hall – pjkbkhall@gmail.com

To Give by Mail:  Send gifts to:  D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund  / 501 N. Wales Road  / North Wales, PA 19454   (Checks should be made payable to D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund and include a separate note that it is for Patrick and Jan Hall.)

To Give Online:  You can contact D.M. Stearns Missionary Fund (215-362-6611) to arrange bill pay with them.

 

 

 

Patrick returned a few weeks ago from another 2 months of teaching at CLTC.  As usual , he thorougly enjoyed teaching and his evangelism class was especially exciting.

Because of so much election turmoil a few outreach plans had to be cancelled, but after a couple of weeks doors began to open.  Students were able to share their faith at a local market.

They also had some very special opportunities at a nearby hospital….Darly is pictured below on the far right.

The story begins with two men breaking into a breeder shed at CLTC and stealing as many chickens as they could carry in big burlap sacks.  They were running away when one of them, “Bob”, tried to clear a ditch but instead fell and broke his leg (compound fracture).  Not surprisingly, CLTC security caught up with him and took him to the hospital.  The evangelism class arrived at the hospital two weeks later and one of the students, Darly, began to talk with Bob.  Darly discovered that Bob was the CLTC chicken thief and was thrilled when Bob told him that the hospital chaplain had been sharing with him and that he had repented and given his life to Christ.  This interaction created quite a stir in the 30 bed surgical ward that Patrick and 4 of his students were in.  Many of the other patients were “all ears” and open to the team sharing the good news.  The students’ time there ended with the head nurse asking everyone to bow in prayer and thank God for all He was doing!  Wow!

Below are Patrick’s other classes.

Student Spotlight

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Atens Parega was a student in Patrick’s Church and Ministry class.  Patrick was thrilled to discover that Atens’ home is Okapa which is the area of  PNG where Patrick worked in back in the late 1980s.   After graduation Atens will return to Okapa  where he will pastor a church as well as reach out to the students at Okapa High School.

Recycling PNG Style:)

#1 – Gather Cans   #2 – Put them in the middle of the road    #3 – Watch passing cars & trucks crush them.  #4 – Collect and bag

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New Classrooms

We are thankful for those who continue to invest time and money in the buildings and maintenance of CLTC.

Praise:

1. Thank the Lord for Patrick’s recent trip to PNG (July-Sept) and for the opportunity he had to teach evangelism again – He loved it!
2. FOR NEW JOBS:
   • After a steep learning curve at Aldi, Jan is really enjoying her work there as well as having more time and energy for family and ministry.
   • Kristin has been hired as the “Location Administrator” with Passion City Church, Washington D. C. She is super excited to be part of this new church plant.
3. Thank the Lord that much of the election tension and fighting in PNG has finally begun to settle down.
4. Thank the Lord for the funds and staff to build two new classrooms.

Requests:

1. Pray that the students graduating from CLTC in December  will put into practice what they have learned, as well as teach and disciple others.
2. Pray for the Lord’s strength for Jan & Kristin in their new jobs and that Jan will have opportunities to share her faith.
3. Pray for Patrick as he prepares to teach Romans and Bible Interpretation when he returns to CLTC in January.
4. There is a possibility that (when he is not in Papua New Guinea) Patrick will be able to teach and mentor refugee pastors in Clarkston, GA.   More details later – Pray this door will open!

 

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Patrick arrived back in PNG on July 14th just in time for the 2017 elections.  As he arrived he was informed that 3 men in a nearby village had been killed because of election tensions and there are threats from the village next door that CLTC’s hatchery will be burned down if the candidate they support is not elected.  In Mt. Hagen (the town closest to CLTC) there have been closures of airlines, banks, fuel distributors, supermarkets and trucking companies. Patrick’s request is that all the tension will not endanger the students and prevent them from being able to go on evangelism and outreach ministries in the local communities. And of course, our prayer is for godly, capable leaders for Papua New Guinea.

Meanwhile, back in the U. S.  we have enjoyed SUMMERTIME…

Summer would not be complete without a few days in Deep Creek NC…

We had a quick visit to Ohio where we spoke in two different churches and had some sweet time with Patrick’s extended family.  As usual, we heard some hilarious stories around the campfire.  And we were given strict instructions…”What is said around the campfire stays around the campfire.” 🙂

OUR DUCT TAPED NEW (to us) CAR

So…for only the second time in our married life Patrick and I had to search for and buy a car.  We admit it – one of the perks of being a missionary is that friends and family have always loaned, given, or searched for an inexpensive car for us to buy to use during our furloughs.  Our “classic” 1999 Saturn was hit from behind and totaled about 2 weeks before Patrick was scheduled to leave.  We had to buy a new car in a hurry – which we know is not the ideal way to buy a car.  Long story short we settled on a 2005 Honda Accord.  Two different mechanics confirmed that we got a good car.  That was encouraging based on what happened next….

1. About 2 days after we bought the car Patrick was driving it with the windows down and most of the fabric on the inside of the car came detached from the roof.  We discovered that it has deteriorated and is pretty costly to replace, so we opted use duct tape to attach the fabric to top of the back window.
2. Later that same day was the very first time Patrick and I were in the Honda together and we pulled into a gas station. Patrick was just about to start pumping gas when a utility van backed into the car. We felt a jolt, heard a crack,  and discovered that the front bumper had a new about a 4 inch slit in it.  The van driver (a sweet little guy of Asian origin) gave me his driver’s license and insurance info.  Both were out of of date…So the front bumper also has blue duct tape on it.

Does God have  a sense of humor or what?  All this reminded us not to hold too tightly to earthly “treasures.”  Both Benjamin and Karis rebuked me (Jan) for being so bummed about the duct tape.  It IS a nice color of blue…I forced myself to quote one of our family favorites ….”It’ll be funny at Thanksgiving. ”

KRISTIN-  completed her year long internship with Passion City Church in May and promptly went with some other interns on a trip to Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.  She says Austria was absolutely beautiful.  When we saw the pictures we had to agree because the mountains remind us of those in Papua New Guinea.  Right now Kristin is filling in for a full-time Passion City employee who is on maternity leave.  Then we will see where the Lord takes her at the end of August. She has some exciting possibilities but nothing definite yet.

BENJAMIN-  just completed a summer class at the University of North Georgia and has been waiting tables at seafood grill restaurant.  His initial impression is that he really likes getting paid for being nice to people. 🙂   This fall Benjamin will be taking 3 classes (10 credit hours) on campus and continuing to work part-time.  We are very thankful that he is continuing to make progress in school and is holding down a job.  Praise the Lord!

KARIS –  It is hard to believe that Karis will be starting her senior year of high school in just a couple of weeks.  She continues to enjoy working with young children and is leaning towards pursuing a nursing degree specializing in pediatrics.

JAN – After much prayer about her job situation Jan has ended up at Aldi. She is a huge Aldi fan and loves their philosophy of hard work and no frills and great prices.  She knew it would be physically difficult at first, and it has been hard to get up to speed on the cash register.  (If you have never been to Aldi you need to go and you’ll see what we mean by speed on the cash register.)

It is humbling to be the learner instead of the teacher but this job requires no lesson plans or grading. 🙂 This has also given her time to do some mentoring at church and she may tutor in math and/or science when school starts.

PATRICK –is back in Papua New Guinea for 8 weeks.  He is busy teaching Evangelism, Church and Ministry, and Eschatology, and supervising a student completing a self-study on the book of Revelation.  Our next update will share about this trip.

PRAISE:

1.  New jobs for Jan and Benjamin.
2. The opportunity Kristin had to serve at Passion City Church this past year.
3. A special gift from special friends that came just in time to help us with our Duct Tape Car.
4. Good health and continued open door for Patrick to teach at CLTC.
5. Love and encouragement that come from being part of the Body of Christ.  What a privilege!

PRAY:

1. Godly leaders for Papua New Guinea and that Christians will be honest peacemakers in the midst of election tension and violence.
2. Clear understanding for the CLTC students of evangelism and follow-up as they take what they learn in the classroom into the streets and market places.
3. Jan will quickly adjust to the physically demanding expectations of her new job and that she will be able to spend more time mentoring/discipling and in hospitality.
4. Guidance for Karis as she moves into her senior year and has decisions to make about college and a course of study.
5. That all of the Halls will build our lives on the Rock. Matthew 7:26-27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This class was composed of 7 Papua New Guineans, 5 Solomon Islanders, and 1 student from Vanuatu.  Patrick was impressed with the quality of their work and their hunger to learn.  Patrick’s church in Maryland asked him to record a video clip describing how he and CLTC are on the move for God.  You will hear from some of Patrick’s students in the short clip below. Click “On the Move” below and then on the link that appears.  (If the link tells you that you “need permission” just request it, we will “share” it with you.)

On the Move!

 

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Once a month students lead outreach services in local churches.

We thank the Lord for Lucy  (far left) who continues to lead the AWANA ministry.  Six adult leaders are teaching 102 children this year!

CLTC scenes below:

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PRAISE:

1. An exciting and encouraging time for Patrick in PNG.  He was delighted to be back teaching and preaching and he was able to work with two wonderful classes of students.
2. Among CLTC’s three campuses (Lae, Port Moresby, and Banz) there are always struggles and “issues.”  Praise God that He continues to sustain the college through the trials and hard decisions.  We are thankful CLTC depends not on man but on a faithful, wise God.
3. Both of our cars had a flat tire while Patrick was gone, but besides that all was fairly calm on the home front for Jan and the family. 🙂  Thank you for your prayers.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. On Easter weekend CLTC will be hosting another Easter Camp for teens and young adults.  Pray that many will attend and grow in their commitment and love for Christ.  Pray for the counsellors who will be available to help those campers who want to make changes or decisions in their lives.
2. Pray that the PNG churches will be faithful to suport the students that they send to CLTC.
3. This is election year in PNG.  Any of you who have been with us over the past 25 years know what THAT means!  If you think American politics is rough, we’ve got nothing on PNG. Voter fraud, running out of ballots, blowing up ballot boxes, bribes and intimidation are rampant.  The country DESPERATELY needs strong, honest, Christian leaders!  Please pray as elections will take place this summer.
4. After prayerful consideration, we have decided that Jan should not sign her teaching contract for next year.  She is currently looking for a new job that will require less of her time (and emotional energy!) so she can care for family needs, especially when Patrick is away.  Please pray the Lord will open up the right door for her.

Praise!   Patrick received his PNG work visa stamped into his passport on January 6th.  Thank you for praying!   This has been an issue since March of last year when Patrick was unable to renew his visa and then instructed to apply for a new one.  Finally, he is all set to return to PNG  for 8 weeks on January 28th. Pray for Patrick as he teaches the book of  Romans and Principles of Bible Interpretation to 4th and 5th year students at CLTC.  Pray for Jan as she continues teaching and caring for the family.  She would love an uncomplicated 8 weeks while Patrick is gone. 🙂

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Maryland with Mark and Julie and their boys.  Above is “Aunt Karis” with nephews Luke (10) and Dylan (12).  Normally,  Mark and his family meet us in Ohio and we celebrate with Patrick’s extended family.  However,  Patrick’s uncle, Harry Trabue, went to be with the Lord early in November.  When Patrick became a Christian at age 22 and knew he needed to leave Las Vegas,  his Uncle Harry and  Aunt Irene (Patrick’s mom’s sister) opened their home to him.  Patrick lived with them for 9 years while he attended Bible College and prepared for the mission field.   Uncle Harry was a quiet, gentle, generous man who is greatly missed by his family and friends.   Please pray that the Lord will comfort Irene and the family.

Karis and Jan volunteered to help “Friends of Refugees” with a children’s Christmas party while the children’s parents shopped for new Christmas presents at greatly reduced prices.  Due to safety issues for the refugees we could not post pictures of them online.  However, we were very encouraged to see this ministry in action and all the different people groups who are meeting at Clarkston International Bible Church.  (Side note: This is the church that Jan’s mother grew up in and where Jan’s parents were married.)

Celebrating Christmas with the Colcords – Mimi and Pop with 10 of their grandchildren and 3 of their great-grandchildren.

Kristin was able to give free guest passes to Jan and Karis to attend the annual Passion Conference.  Wow!  50,000 young adults ages 18-25 attended the 3 day conference that included worship with Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, and David Crowder and  Bible teachers such as John Piper, Francis Chan, Christine Caine, and Beth Moore.  Jan was very humbled and challenged by special guests  Jay and Katherine Wolf who are on a difficult journey but using their suffering to minister to others.  If you want to know more you can check out their blog Hope Heals.  Praise the Lord for Jan and Karis having the time and opportunity to attend this conference.

Kristin is halfway through her internship with Passion City Church. She is learning a lot and loving city life. Praise for the ministering and serving experience Kristin is having.  Pray she will be clear on the next step God has for her when she completes her internship in May.

Benjamin has completed a second semester of college online with UNG – Gainesville.  He is currently schooling part-time  and looking for part-time work.  Praise for the progress he has been able to make in school.  Pray for a safe, healthy work environment for him.

Karis is in the middle of her junior year of high school. She is starting to think about SAT’s, AP exams, and college.  Yikes!  Praise for her dedication to work hard and do well in her studies. Pray the Lord will guide her as she begins considering college and career options.

That’s all for now.  Next update will cover Patrick’s time on the other side of the world.

ISAIAH 54:10

 

 

 

In his July-September trip to PNG Patrick thoroughly enjoyed his teaching.  This is first time in several years that Patrick has taught the 2^nd year students.  (He usually teaches  4^th and 5^th year students.)  He appreciated their enthusiasm and eagerness to be at CLTC.  This picture includes the students and their families.

Group Project in Church and Ministry Class

Praise:  For good students!

Pray:  Remember last April when Patrick’s passport was stuck in Immigration so Patrick was stuck in Port Moresby for 3 days?  The visa issue is still not resolved.  Immigration is requiring Patrick to apply for a brand new visa.  Patrick is scheduled to teach again in late January.  Pray that the visa will be granted quickly so that he can buy tickets sooner rather than later.  We do not take this approval for granted.  Please pray!

Patrick enjoyed a meal at one of the student family’s homes.  Daniel is a 2^nd year Master’s student from the island country of Vanuatu.  He previously taught at a Bible school in Vanuatu and has come to CLTC for further training.  Patrick and Daniel met in the Port Moresby airport in January 2015.   Daniel and his family had just arrived in PNG  and they were relieved that Patrick knew their names and that they were on their way to CLTC.   Patrick bought each of the kids crackers and a bottle of water and they became friends for life. 🙂

Praise:  For good connections with the students during this school term.

Pray:  For Daniel and the rest of the master’s students as they graduate at the end of November and transition back to their places of ministry.  The master’s students will be returning to Samoa, Vanuatu, and various parts of PNG.

For over 20 years our family has met on Sunday evenings in the CLTC prayer chapel  with the South Seas Evangelical Church (SSEC) denomination/fellowship.  The majority of these students are from the Solomon Islands. This year those students organized a campaign to raise money to give the prayer chapel a much needed renovation.  We love the view from this chapel!

Father’s Day is celebrated in September in PNG.   These students are celebrating the day with a potluck meal and singing.  Check out the sign.:)

Praise:  For the generosity and hard work of these students.

Pray:  Marriages will grow stronger during the students’ time at CLTC and that the men will love their wives and be godly examples and the spiritual leaders in their homes.

Kids Everywhere!

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Praise: For the opportunity CLTC has to impact so many children’s lives.

Pray:  Staff and students will make the most of these opportunities and that many children will come to Christ and be salt and light in the nation.

Thank you for visiting our blog.  Our next update will be about family. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 always it was a joy to be back teaching in Papua New Guinea.  I arrived on February 1st, taught for 8 weeks, and  finally left the country on April 1st (3 days after my plane departed) after “wrestling” with a PNG Immigration officer for my passport.  (Note to self:  Don’t give up my passport for visa renewal unless I have 6 months to spare.)

It was encouraging to work with the new national faculty.  Aaron, Alan, and Gordon are all graduates of CLTC’s masters program.  Alan and Gordon were my students years ago and it was exciting to be working as collegues.

Across the valley our friends at the Nazarene Hospital (where Benjamin and Karis were born) are now enjoying 24 hour power with their new hydroelectric plant (funded by AusAid).  In 2013 Jan was helping teach and the kids were attending the hospital’s MK school.  They were able to watch the builders “move the river” so construction on the project could continue.

Thank you all for your prayers and support.  The family continued with work and school while Patrick was away.  More about them in the next blog update.

Praise:

1. Patrick was able to make this trip.
2. For the many adults and young people who responded to the challenge to follow Christ.
3. Patrick received some very helpful feedback on his dissertation proposal from two of his CLTC collegues.
4. Jan was able to able to hold down the fort while Patrick was away.  Wonderful friends and family were a great support.

Prayer Requests:

1. God will continue to keep the door open for Patrick to teach at CLTC and that he will make good progress in his doctoral studies.
2. Continued prayer for Benjamin.  Support and encouragement for him.  That he would find the right balance of work and school.
3. The many who made decisions at the Easter camp will find  mature disciplers who can help them grow in their faith and commitment.  Pray their home churches will rise to the challenge.
4. The new national faculty at CLTC will be effective in their teaching and mentoring.