From LA to Fiji

by Martha

The little screen on the seat in front of me tells me that we have crossed the international date line and Fiji is not far away now.  The man in the seat next to me wanted to use my shoulder as his head rest. He patted my shoulder and said it was ok, he just wanted to rest his head. Hmm.  It gives whole new meaning to giving someone the cold shoulder!  In spite of trying to dodge being his pillow, I did manage to get some sleep.  It’s 8:30 on Monday morning in Dallas, but when We deplane in Fiji in a couple of hours, it will be 5:00 am on Tuesday.  Who needed Monday anyway?

Beginning in security in LAX,I began to see faces from the Pacific. No one I knew of course, but there is that general recognition that these are the peoples of the Pacific – and a heart warming recognition of the familiar is stirred within me. It’s only hours now until i see the faces of Solomon Island friends who we love so much.

Bittersweet emotions punctuate my building anticipation. I can’t forget Tim, Emily and Sarah. They long to be winging their way to the Pacific, but it’s not yet their time. In the meantime I will be the family ambassador who will enjoy the sweet reunions with friends, smelling the salty Pacific Ocean, tasting tropical fruits while bringing the love and well wishes of the family.

Probably only an MK would know how my girls are feeling at the moment. I know this trip isn’t easy for them. But I salute their selfless release and blessing to make this trip. I love you, Emily and Sarah. Since you were little, you understood the sacrifices of this lifestyle and have freely allowed us to go. Thank you for making it easy to make this trip even when it hurt to see me go be where you can only dream of being here at the moment.

There are actually two other Wycliffe families on this same flight. One is returning after their furlough and the other just arriving for the first time. We didn’t plan on being on the same flight, but here we are.

Nadi, Fiji

We landed in Nadi in the early hours Tuesday under a full moon. Getting off the plane, the warm humid air felt comfortable. Then I reminded myself that it was only 5 am. It will get warmer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we waited to go through transit, we were serenaded by a Fijian quartet playing guitars and ukulele.  Traveling with the other two families has made the time go faster. Between the two families they have two small children. I’ve been able to help carry kids or bags. The kids have been good, but it’s a challenge for them and their parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are on the plane now waiting our departure to Port Vila, Vanuatu where we will have an hour in transit before going on to the Solomons.

The Year of the Suitcase Begins

by Martha

Sunscreen – check
present for Timmy – check
malaria meds – check
warm weather clothes – check
flip flops – check

My Christmas present from Tim this year – a much needed new suitcase. I’m calling 2012, the Year of the Suitcase. Tim left for Spain yesterday, and I am heading to the airport this afternoon to head to the South Pacific. It seems like a dream.

I’m filling the suitcase with gifts for friends. It has been challenging to find something ‘made in America’ to take them.  It won’t matter where the gifts are from.  Friends don’t really care about that.

The reason I am making this trip is to meet with committee members of the 2012 Festival of Pacific Arts which will be held in the Solomon Islands in July. I’m getting excited to go ‘home’ to the Solomons and meet up with friends again.

The girls are staying on their own. It will be different to have Emily drive me to the airport. I’m sure it will be weird for the girls to have their parents on different continents, but they seem ready for the challenge.

I fly out of Dallas at 6:05 this afternoon and head to LAX. The Air Pacific flight to the Fiji leaves and 9:30. Two other Wycliffe families just happen to be on the same flight.

Prayers for safe travels for Tim and I and safety for the girls is appreciated. Tim and I will try and keep you all posted on our trips and the work we are doing.

Missions at the Airport – Moriarty, NM

by Martha

This past weekend found Tim and I at a small airport about 40 miles east of Albuquerque in Moriarty, New Mexico. The airport is known for being one of the best places in the country for gliders, but this weekend it had another feature – an event called “Missions at the Airport”.

JAARS – which provides support for Bible translation through mission aviation and technology support, hosted the event.  A JAARS Helio Courier airplane flew in from North Carolina loaded with displays about Bible translation and the support services that JAARS supplies.  The Helio Courier is the type of plane that has been used for decades to provide aviation services for missionaries in remote locations and is well suited for short landings and take-offs.

 

During 3 day weekend, people came to visit the event and for $22 were able to take a flight in the Helio.  The Lord blessed us with (almost) perfect weather.  While we would have liked to see more people come through, we felt that God sent us some special people.

 

One story that touched my heart was a boy named Jordan.  A few weeks ago he told his mom that he wanted to become a missionary pilot and tell others about God.  His mom didn’t know much about mission aviation but asked the principal of the Christian school Jordan attends, where they might find more information about it.  The principal told her there just ‘happened’ to be a special event coming up that would provide a great introduction.  Jordan and his friend along with their mothers came out to the airport.  They were able to find out lots about mission aviation and took a ride in the Helio Courier.  Even the moms were interested in learning how they could use their gifts and talents in missions.

Tomorrow we will be at another Missions at the Airport event about an hour north of Dallas and then here in Dallas over the weekend.  We look forward to seeing how God uses these events to help introduce others to the world of missions.

Good Moos for Bible Translation

by Martha

Mary’s little lamb may have followed her to school one day, but last week a heifer found her way to Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas.  The 350 pound beauty was actually taken to church in this trailer, but she has a special mission in life.  She’s going to help people be able to read a Bible in their own language.

The calf was born to Pastor Wilbern Michalk’s cow and will be raised along with his other cattle.  There will be one special difference between this cow and the others.  The children at Zion Lutheran Church are raising funds to feed this calf.  When the calf is full grown, it will be sold and the proceeds given the ministry of Bible translation through our ministry.

We are excited to see the kids get involved in reaching out to others around the world who are still waiting for God’s Word in their heart language.  Someday the hamburger, steak or bbq sandwich you are eating may be benefiting Bible translation!  Good moos indeed!

 

 

The truth in Pijin

by Martha

May 21st.  The day some are saying the world will come to an end.  The Solomon Islands has not been spared these rumors.  In response, the Solomon Islands Christian Association has issued a statement to Christians in the country, reassuring them what the Bible says about Christ’s second coming.  It’s very encouraging to see that the statement includes Scriptures in Pijin – the trade language.  The truth in these Bible verses will have more impact in Pijin than in English.  It’s great to see the Pijin Bible at work in the Solomons.

SICA urges calm in face of dooms day claims

Tuesday, 17 May 2011 04:43
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ITS this Saturday May 21, just a few days away, the day which was claimed to be the day when the world will end and Christ will return.

But Christians around the country have been reminded not to panic.

The Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) reminded Christians not to be unsettled over the claim of Jesus’ return this Saturday.

Christians throughout the country early last month were unsettled and deeply disturbed over a pamphlet given out to people on the streets of Honiara about the return of Jesus Christ.

The pamphlet claimed that the end of the world was looming and that God would bring the Judgment Day on May 21, which were produced and circulated by Family Radio.

In the country these pamphlets were distributed to members of the public along the streets by some groups of locals and foreigners.

SICA in its statement to the Solomon Star yesterday stated that Christian people in the country should be worried but stick to the biblical teaching on the coming back of Jesus.

SICA in asking Christians in the country to let bible verses encourage them.

“Nao Jisas hemi sei moa,’ Barava de an taem, no eniwan hemi save long hem. Dadi nomoa hemi save, bat mi San blong hem, wetem olketa enjel long heven mifala no save to.” (Matiu 24:36)

With this bible verse in Pidgin the SICA encouraged Christians that there was always the temptation to claim to know more than we really do.

“We are called to be people of faith; we must not pretend we know more about God’s plan than has been revealed to us by Christ.

“Jesus has told us clearly that we do not know the day or the hour when God will come to judge the world.”

Therefore with the recent claim of the end of the world on May 21 having no foundation, they are dangerous manipulations of people using fear as a way to control people’s mind.

“So yufala no letem ting ting blong yufala fo wari an yufala no fraet. “ (John 14:27)

People are reminded that the Easter Christ, the Risen Christ is the light and therefore lives in that light.

“The message of Easter is a message of joy and hope, do not allow fear and darkness to spoil the wonderful gift of faith we have in the risen load.”

Following the claims of this dooms day recently many Christians in the country reacted to the claim.

Some Christians said such a message is important for this country to remind themselves of the Lord’s return which is so close.

“While we don’t know the exact date and time of Christ’s return, this message should remind us that we are living in the end of time and the second coming is very very close given the signs of things that are happening in this world.

“We should not be afraid if we are ready for Christ’s return,” a Christian said yesterday.

By Jennifer Kakai

Solomon Star – http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/10828-sica-urges-calm-in-face-of-dooms-day-claims