Dear Family and Friends:
“Apinun,” or Good Afternoon (at least here right now).
It’s about 4 p.m. our time here and I thought it would be a good idea to let you know that we are adjusting again. We invite you read some more and come visit our beautiful PNG life for a few minutes. So take your shoes off and think hot. Take a breath through your nose and you will smell; sulfur from the ongoing volcano eruptions in nearby Rabaul (last week there was a special bulletin to be careful because the volcano was venting poisonous gases - but truth be told, I didn’t see any change in anyone’s behavior), a little rancid fume of coconuts being dried in homemade driers to sell at the market, an occasional sweet smell of flowers and or ripening fruit, and the smell of something burning somewhere. You will hear; rooster’s crowing (24 hours a day), grass being cut down with hand held machetes, different voices talking and laughing, children playing, birds calling to one another, a baby crying, someone is singing in Tok Pisin, a bell or drum being hit to signal a village meeting, and a PMV (bus) loaded with all sorts of people bumping along with gears always shifting. You will see: shy groups of girls talking together, Mommas calling greetings to each other as they walk along, families coming back from tending their gardens loaded with ferns, greens, banana leaves and root vegetables. They are still able to carry small children and are so pressed down that they can barely look up or even raise a hand in greeting, and a few naked children that will wave with both hands and smile like a beam of light through both face and eyes. You sense: that this is not the western Greek thinking world that you are familiar with, that relationship is the key to the culture, that most hearts are open but have been hurt and let down, that the enemy has enslaved and crippled much of the government and people, that God’s heart is still to destroy the works of the enemy, and that He absolutely LOVES the people of PNG.
We had a difficult time with this second reentry. Victor is, naturally still grieving the death of his mom but is doing well now. We are progressing well in our Tok Pisin language learning. PNG has national elections every 5 years and it was at a peak when we came back. Historically being a tribal nation, the elections has caused unique problems as fighting and deaths do occur. We are and continue to ask God for peace over this land. Last week, the tally of the new 1st, 2nd, and 3rd preference voting system was completed. This system was implemented to help curb violence and now the winners are being named and not everyone is delighted with the new system. Because of the importance of the elections, the schools have been closed, and even a holiday was called so it has been difficult to continue momentum on some projects.
We continue to build relationships and meet pastors and other leaders as well as local people wherever we go. Every Sunday we have been visiting different Foursquare churches, preaching and praying whenever needed. Last Sunday we had a sweet time in Warangoi with Pastor John and his wife Mary and the congregation. It is about an hour drive from here and it was very pretty country. The worship was so great. Even the little pikininis (children) were singing out as loud as anyone. There had to be some angelic voices in there. Then, Victor preached and there was a wonderful response after the messages. We laid hands and prayed for those who came forward. Some were slain in the Spirit and I thought for sure they may have a head concussion because they went down so hard but God was very sweet and very present. After the service, I was able to meet the little boy that was named after Victor. Five years ago, Victor was in Warangoi on a short term mission and he felt led to pray over Damaris, a very pregnant lady from the church for a safe delivery. She went into labor shortly after the prayer and delivered a boy. Her husband Fidelius and Damaris named the newborn Victor because they “wanted him to grow up and be a man of God” (see picture: From (L) to (R) Damaris and Paul, Zebulun, Fidelius and 5 year old Victor, and Victor).
Today Sunday morning, we went to Tabui 3 in Rabaul to visit Pastor Martin and Helen’s church. They have suffered persecution from other local “Christians,” but have reconciled with them and the Holy Spirit was very present. I felt like I was suppose to say a word of encouragement so I told God that if that is what He wanted that He had to give me an opening. Then, Victor went up to preach and he called me up and said, “I think that your suppose to say something first,” so I was able to share what was in my heart and then Victor brought the message which was on encouragement - which I didn’t even know beforehand, so that was a wonderful time to be working together! Then, we were able to pray over those who came forward for prayer.
Together with Pastors Jonah Horis (the Foursquare Regional Supervisor), John (the Foursquare Provincial Supervisor), and Komet (from Rallubong), we will both be meeting with the Head Government Health official here in the East New Britain Province. The idea is to meet with him to establish a long term relationship and discuss some ideas on how we can partner with the Health officials here. On one hand, doing heath outreaches and educating the people here more on things like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV will only decrease the burden the health officials have here already. On the other hand, the government may feel so inclined to provide us with antimalarials, mebendazole, and childhood immunizations, etc. on our outreaches once we meet with them and share our vision with them. Please pray for this important area and that the meeting later this week will go well. Also, please continue to pray for the boat we’ll need to do outreaches in the nearby islands of New Ireland and the Duke of York, just to name a couple.
We are already beginning to move forward with our first medical/evangelism outreach in August. Together with the national Foursquare people here, we sense an urgency for the medical ministry to be established soon. We are identifying and asking for a commitment from nurses in the Foursquare congregations here in the islands of Papua New Guinea to partner with us on our outreaches. We have been visiting the hospitals in Warangoi, Kokopo (Vonapope) and Rabual (Nonga Base) and have met many nurses and other medical staff while there. We have even been by the PNG AIDS National Council Voluntary, Counseling, and Testing (VCT) Center in Rabaul, and we plan to go to the one in Kokopo (St. Mary’s Centre) soon. So, the Holy Spirit continues to help us as we establish relations with the medical people of the PNG islands.
Thank you all who prayed for shipment to arrive (see picture). Only nine out of 142 boxes of cargo were damaged and were held up in Port Moresby. We inspected these boxes on our return from the U.S. and, except for some chairs, there was only minor damage. The rest of the shipment is due in on 7/25/07. The secure storage space at Birar village (Keith and Cindy’s village) is almost done, and ultimately this is where the medications and supplies will be stored. In the meantime, one-half of the boxes are here with us, and the other half is being graciously stored at Pastor Mary and Labette’s house. These are the senior pastors here in Rallubong.
The Bickley’s returned to the U.S. in June for a short while, but plan to return in September. We look forward to their return. We miss them very much. In the meantime, we are meeting with the pastors once a week to continue leadership training. The pastors and the Bickley’s have told us that teaching on marriage would be good, so we are meeting with the pastors weekly and are teaching in this area with emphasis on premarital counseling. Teachings on Biblical and Crisis Counseling will also be integrated into this weekly training, especially in the exercises we will do with the pastors at the end of the meetings. The building projects are going well. The Bible School classroom is almost finished at the Birar village site, and the next project will be the building of the medical ministry center there (see picture). The plan is for the groundbreaking for the medical ministry center to occur at about the same time the Northwest Church team arrives in October. It has been amazing to see God at work as He guides the pastors and builders in His vision for the islands.
Finally, we have been given a heart for the youth here in our home village. After sharing our heart with the pastoral staff here, we are now working with the Rallubong church staff to start youth small-home groups. There are about 20 Christian (teen-age) youth here in the village, and so we are working closely with Pastor Komet and Regina to establish five host homes for the small groups who will meet twice monthly. We will be coaching (with Komet and Regina) the small group leaders once a month, and we will teach at those meetings as well. Please pray for this ministry to get underway without hindrance.
Blessings,
Victor, Lori, and Alexander Obregon
"Attempt Great Things For God.
Expect Great Things From God."
William Carey
“Apinun,” or Good Afternoon (at least here right now).
It’s about 4 p.m. our time here and I thought it would be a good idea to let you know that we are adjusting again. We invite you read some more and come visit our beautiful PNG life for a few minutes. So take your shoes off and think hot. Take a breath through your nose and you will smell; sulfur from the ongoing volcano eruptions in nearby Rabaul (last week there was a special bulletin to be careful because the volcano was venting poisonous gases - but truth be told, I didn’t see any change in anyone’s behavior), a little rancid fume of coconuts being dried in homemade driers to sell at the market, an occasional sweet smell of flowers and or ripening fruit, and the smell of something burning somewhere. You will hear; rooster’s crowing (24 hours a day), grass being cut down with hand held machetes, different voices talking and laughing, children playing, birds calling to one another, a baby crying, someone is singing in Tok Pisin, a bell or drum being hit to signal a village meeting, and a PMV (bus) loaded with all sorts of people bumping along with gears always shifting. You will see: shy groups of girls talking together, Mommas calling greetings to each other as they walk along, families coming back from tending their gardens loaded with ferns, greens, banana leaves and root vegetables. They are still able to carry small children and are so pressed down that they can barely look up or even raise a hand in greeting, and a few naked children that will wave with both hands and smile like a beam of light through both face and eyes. You sense: that this is not the western Greek thinking world that you are familiar with, that relationship is the key to the culture, that most hearts are open but have been hurt and let down, that the enemy has enslaved and crippled much of the government and people, that God’s heart is still to destroy the works of the enemy, and that He absolutely LOVES the people of PNG.
We had a difficult time with this second reentry. Victor is, naturally still grieving the death of his mom but is doing well now. We are progressing well in our Tok Pisin language learning. PNG has national elections every 5 years and it was at a peak when we came back. Historically being a tribal nation, the elections has caused unique problems as fighting and deaths do occur. We are and continue to ask God for peace over this land. Last week, the tally of the new 1st, 2nd, and 3rd preference voting system was completed. This system was implemented to help curb violence and now the winners are being named and not everyone is delighted with the new system. Because of the importance of the elections, the schools have been closed, and even a holiday was called so it has been difficult to continue momentum on some projects.
We continue to build relationships and meet pastors and other leaders as well as local people wherever we go. Every Sunday we have been visiting different Foursquare churches, preaching and praying whenever needed. Last Sunday we had a sweet time in Warangoi with Pastor John and his wife Mary and the congregation. It is about an hour drive from here and it was very pretty country. The worship was so great. Even the little pikininis (children) were singing out as loud as anyone. There had to be some angelic voices in there. Then, Victor preached and there was a wonderful response after the messages. We laid hands and prayed for those who came forward. Some were slain in the Spirit and I thought for sure they may have a head concussion because they went down so hard but God was very sweet and very present. After the service, I was able to meet the little boy that was named after Victor. Five years ago, Victor was in Warangoi on a short term mission and he felt led to pray over Damaris, a very pregnant lady from the church for a safe delivery. She went into labor shortly after the prayer and delivered a boy. Her husband Fidelius and Damaris named the newborn Victor because they “wanted him to grow up and be a man of God” (see picture: From (L) to (R) Damaris and Paul, Zebulun, Fidelius and 5 year old Victor, and Victor).
Today Sunday morning, we went to Tabui 3 in Rabaul to visit Pastor Martin and Helen’s church. They have suffered persecution from other local “Christians,” but have reconciled with them and the Holy Spirit was very present. I felt like I was suppose to say a word of encouragement so I told God that if that is what He wanted that He had to give me an opening. Then, Victor went up to preach and he called me up and said, “I think that your suppose to say something first,” so I was able to share what was in my heart and then Victor brought the message which was on encouragement - which I didn’t even know beforehand, so that was a wonderful time to be working together! Then, we were able to pray over those who came forward for prayer.
Together with Pastors Jonah Horis (the Foursquare Regional Supervisor), John (the Foursquare Provincial Supervisor), and Komet (from Rallubong), we will both be meeting with the Head Government Health official here in the East New Britain Province. The idea is to meet with him to establish a long term relationship and discuss some ideas on how we can partner with the Health officials here. On one hand, doing heath outreaches and educating the people here more on things like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV will only decrease the burden the health officials have here already. On the other hand, the government may feel so inclined to provide us with antimalarials, mebendazole, and childhood immunizations, etc. on our outreaches once we meet with them and share our vision with them. Please pray for this important area and that the meeting later this week will go well. Also, please continue to pray for the boat we’ll need to do outreaches in the nearby islands of New Ireland and the Duke of York, just to name a couple.
We are already beginning to move forward with our first medical/evangelism outreach in August. Together with the national Foursquare people here, we sense an urgency for the medical ministry to be established soon. We are identifying and asking for a commitment from nurses in the Foursquare congregations here in the islands of Papua New Guinea to partner with us on our outreaches. We have been visiting the hospitals in Warangoi, Kokopo (Vonapope) and Rabual (Nonga Base) and have met many nurses and other medical staff while there. We have even been by the PNG AIDS National Council Voluntary, Counseling, and Testing (VCT) Center in Rabaul, and we plan to go to the one in Kokopo (St. Mary’s Centre) soon. So, the Holy Spirit continues to help us as we establish relations with the medical people of the PNG islands.
Thank you all who prayed for shipment to arrive (see picture). Only nine out of 142 boxes of cargo were damaged and were held up in Port Moresby. We inspected these boxes on our return from the U.S. and, except for some chairs, there was only minor damage. The rest of the shipment is due in on 7/25/07. The secure storage space at Birar village (Keith and Cindy’s village) is almost done, and ultimately this is where the medications and supplies will be stored. In the meantime, one-half of the boxes are here with us, and the other half is being graciously stored at Pastor Mary and Labette’s house. These are the senior pastors here in Rallubong.
The Bickley’s returned to the U.S. in June for a short while, but plan to return in September. We look forward to their return. We miss them very much. In the meantime, we are meeting with the pastors once a week to continue leadership training. The pastors and the Bickley’s have told us that teaching on marriage would be good, so we are meeting with the pastors weekly and are teaching in this area with emphasis on premarital counseling. Teachings on Biblical and Crisis Counseling will also be integrated into this weekly training, especially in the exercises we will do with the pastors at the end of the meetings. The building projects are going well. The Bible School classroom is almost finished at the Birar village site, and the next project will be the building of the medical ministry center there (see picture). The plan is for the groundbreaking for the medical ministry center to occur at about the same time the Northwest Church team arrives in October. It has been amazing to see God at work as He guides the pastors and builders in His vision for the islands.
Finally, we have been given a heart for the youth here in our home village. After sharing our heart with the pastoral staff here, we are now working with the Rallubong church staff to start youth small-home groups. There are about 20 Christian (teen-age) youth here in the village, and so we are working closely with Pastor Komet and Regina to establish five host homes for the small groups who will meet twice monthly. We will be coaching (with Komet and Regina) the small group leaders once a month, and we will teach at those meetings as well. Please pray for this ministry to get underway without hindrance.
Blessings,
Victor, Lori, and Alexander Obregon
"Attempt Great Things For God.
Expect Great Things From God."
William Carey
