OBEDIENCE

I have attempted to write another blog for the last week and a half. What is it I want to share? I have been asking myself what am I learning here. I want to share more than just the weather and day by day activities. That obviously takes a little more thought and I have to make time to do this.

So I have now been here for 6 weeks. I feel like a different person and yet for the life of me I haven't yet been able to put my finger on how I am different. One of my friends was asking what I felt like the theme was that God is teaching me and the one word I guess that comes to mind is OBEDIENCE.

I came over here with the idea of helping missionaries through physical therapy and massages. Many of the mission trips I have been on before I had a plan of jobs to do and ended up doing something totally different. Be flexible. What I have found here though is God gave me His plan and this time I am to stick to that plan. I have many opportunities to work with the kids in primary school, musical, and even help with kids on weekends. I have opportunities to play sports throughout the week. I have done these things. But in the last couple of weeks I have noticed some of these things on top of the therapy I have been doing seem to drain me. There has been a steady rise in physical therapy patients. After much prayer I have added another half day to my schedule at the clinic and backed off on the other places for the need in the clinic is GREAT! I truly do enjoy working with my patients and just know being obedient to God's voice brings the greatest reward.

That brings me to the next thing. Our pastor here, Tim Schlatter, has been truly encouraging. One of the things he speaks of is taking care of ourselves as missionaries. If we do not take care of ourselves how can we begin to encourage and take care of those we are ministering? That has also been something I see as an act of obedience for me. The therapy during the day requires a lot of physical activity. I would say 90% of my patients need and receive deep tissue massages which is a full body work out. I have to be rested and in shape to be strong enough to administer continuous treatments. Unlike back in the States, I go to bed at a reasonable hour. I have time to workout in our weight room, and weekends are off limits for any type of therapy so I am rested when needed. That is a huge thing for me in learning to be obedient to God's voice. What I have found is that I once again have way more energy, the pain I have had in my back and such is practically non-existent, and I enjoy being able to give of myself for encouragement through therapy.

I have also been pre-occupied some about what I will be doing when I return home in 8weeks. I have tried not to think about it, but must admit while I love doing things last minute, I am quite a planner or well visionary is a better word. I have contemplated so many possibilities. I could move to Michigan, I could go back to school for something totally different, I could plan another mission trip, I could...
In another act of obedience I finally quit guessing and tried to be quiet. Instead of trying to do all these amazing things and this and that, I believe God has shown me that at this particular all those would only cause added stress and chaos. After much practiced quietness, my decision is to stay in Little Rock for the next few months and spend time enjoying my friends and family. There will be many special events taking place through the summer and fall. I am so thankful I will be celebrating with them.

How can you pray?

I ask that you pray for wisdom for me on how to treat my patients and that I remember I am here not only for therapy but to also encourage them in their daily lives and walk with Christ.

I will be on a panel next week for high schoolers for career day, I ask that I answer honestly and can be encouraging for some of those who want to practice therapy.

I mentioned some men in my church I attended growing up who were struggling with illnesses. Jerry Jordan passed away on Feb 19th. I ask you pray for his family and friends, he was loved!! He has a wife, 2 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 2 grandchildren. I am pretty sure his mother is still living as well.
I have not heard much about Tom Dedman, but I ask that you continue to pray for his healing. I know we do not get to see much healing these days, but I am hopeful and know we have a God who wants us to ask Him still for such miracles.
Please pray for both of these families that they are able to see and know God and His power.
I do not have any updated information on my aunt's sister-in-law, but please keep them in your prayers as well.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blogs. I hope in some way you are encouraged as I am knowing others are reading this blog and praying for me.

Until next time,

Angie :)

Another Update

So things here in Ukarumpa are good. I stay quite busy throughout the week. I am so thankful for my previous trainings because it absolutely prepared me for the type of patients I am seeing. It has been a month today since I have been in Ukarumpa which means I have been working in the clinic for 3 weeks. The patients are showing real progress and some have stopped coming because they are 100% better which is such a good thing because there are new patients who are trying to come and we have been having difficulty finding them appointments. This is a good thing, but I am praying that God will send someone to continue the work after I leave.

I have settled into a small group of girls which I am so thankful. Last week we had a time of worship and in the middle of it I realized I was the only American in the group. This verse popped in my head, "And He (JESUS) will be exalted among the nations. He certainly was 6 different nations were singing together praising the name of Jesus. How incredible!!

I met with the primary school music teachers on Wednesday and have begun working out the choreography for their musical, it's about King Josiah. It is really cute and will be lots of fun. The musical is March 12-13th which is the end of the school sememster.

Things here are pretty good. I do miss the folks at home, but God has provided much needed friends. I pray that He would continue to strenghten my friendships here and that I would be an encourager to everyone I come in contact.

Just talked to mom and dad and I ask that you please be in prayer for some folks back at home who are struggling with terminal illnesses. Two of the guys are from my church back in Camden. They both are such neat men and I pray for God's healing presence in their lives. There names are Tom and Jerry. I grew up with their children. Also for Karen who is my aunt's sister in law just that God would bring healing as only He can. Thank for you for your continued prayers here in Ukarumpa that God would continue to give me the knowlegde of how to treat these patients and that my time would be spent wisely and that i not worry about anything, but in prayer present my requests to God.

Thanks!!

What I am Learning

Well it has been about a week since I have written. I must say my schedule has stepped up quite a bit. The word has gotten out that I am in town and most of my slots for seeing patients is full each day. I am grateful for my Wednesdays at the Primary school and my weekends to give my hands and body the rest it needs to fulfill next weeks duties.

I am grateful for some advice I was given on the way over here to remember that it's ok to say no to people and that rest is important. I was asked just this morning at church to work with someone today and was able to say no, but maybe tomorrow. God does desire us to be productive and do the work which He has called us to, but as a friend told me once, sometimes the godliest thing you can do is a take a nap. I must admit I have taken a couple this week which I am not accustomed to doing back home. I have been better for it.

When I am working in the clinic, I have been blessed with hearing people's hearts, how God brought them to Ukarumpa and hear about their desires and concerns. I have often said not only am I a therapist but also a counselor. I have enjoyed the listening ear as well while I am helping these folks get better.

In my readings and in my work I do here day to day, I am finding truth and the connection of being healed spiritually and physically. Many times in God's Word He asks if a sick person believes He, Jesus, can heal them. He tells them their sins are forgiven. He wants them to ask for His help in faith that He can heal. The beauty of God is He does not stop with spiritual healing but continues on with physical healing. I think the main theme is that we believe and have faith in His healing.

I have one specific patient who is an amazing person. This patient has been dealing with lots of pain and has seen lots of therapist and doctors. I realized though as I was working with this patient that until he believes that God wants to heal him then there is nothing I can do. Sure he may feel good for a day, but what God wants from us is to trust in His healing to trust in His love and faithfulness. I believe with the changes in his thought process he will experience healing.

This has been just one of the many things I am personally learning. Learning to truly believe God even when there is no evidence or "cloud in the the sky" that God is working this out. I have to have the faith. I must continue to petition God in prayer and know that He hears.
Knowing that in all things God works for the good of those who love the Lord who have been called according to His purpose. God promises to supply all of our needs. He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it.

I am so thankful to have God's Word in my heart. I am so thankful that anytime I want I can pick it up and find direction, peace, comfort, TRUTH, love. I am thankful to be assisting with Bible translating behind the scenes. It is only right that the people in Papua New Guinea and in all the nations of this world have God's Word to learn that there is a God who loves them. A God who sent His Son to die for their sins, who rose and is able to be our own personal Savior, all we have to do is ask and believe. He never forces it, just like when healing in the Bible, the people asked for healing and then they believed and Jesus healed them. I am so blessed to be a part of what God is doing and how He is healing so many spiritually and physically.

I am so thankful for those who are praying and continue to pray that God's will be accomplished in me while I am here in PNG! Thank you for your continued prayers!!!