Hello olgeta (hello “everyone” in Tok Pisin):
Our last medical outreach was a one-day outreach to the Kabanga plantation and surrounding villages in January 20th . It was a follow-up visit to an underserved area of East New Britain where we had previously held an evangelism crusade. We had something happen that was very significant. Five local nurses and medical workers from a local hospital, some of who were HIV/AIDS counselors, accompanied us on the outreach (see picture). They staffed most of the clinic and did some very important HIV/AIDS awareness teaching. We were able to share information and laughter and we saw the very hard-working people who were otherwise busy cutting and drying coconut for the market. It was good to see the medical ministry staffs almost entirely by PNG nationals.
A special memory I had of that particular day was when we were taking a break. I saw a little boy around the age of 5 slowly dragging his left foot along the ground. When I went to check him, I saw he had an infected big toe. He was a little afraid of me so I handed out some colorful stickers that Cindy had brought. All the bystanders crowded in to each get a sticker. They like to put it on their faces. As I was crouched down cleaning this tender toe, I felt a little hand stroke my hair from behind. Now, there wasn’t any way I could turn to see who touched me because I was concentrating on the boy. Even though we were outside in a large area, the children were packed all around me – I could barely move my arms to clean the sore. It was strange to be so moved by this gentle touching of my hair, but I felt like I wasn’t supposed to respond. Later, sitting on the ground and watching a skit being put on, I noticed the most beautiful perfectly formed miniature conch shell with a lavender interior strewn among the rubbish.. It reminded me of God’s heart. He is always moved by the heart that is reaching out to Him wondering and questioning much like the child who touched my hair. I pray that God will show Himself strong to this one.
Our village had a large funeral that we attended. The deceased was Pastor Komet’s father from the village we live in. Victor was called to see the man in the village just before he died. He rode with Pastor Komet and most of the family to the local hospital where he died. Victor was deeply moved by the care and love given to this elderly man by all of the family present and the hospital staff. Part of the family are Christians and part were not, so it was a traditional Tolei funeral complete with “dukduks” (men dressed in costumes who have asked the spirits of their dead ancestors to possess them – see picture) and a week of wailing and morning and the giving out of coils and coils of shell money. The heartbreaking part was the awful wailing of the people who have no hope yet.
Cindy and I went to the local hospital and distributed little packages to the labor ward (which is unlike any ward you could imagine) and prayed with some women. Then a couple days later, we went into the bush to check on a lady who was pregnant and I brought our Doppler so we could hear the baby’s heart beat. On the way home we prayed over a young girl named “Lucy” that had survived being struck on the forehead with a coconut. Many people often die as a result of a fallen coconut. We prayed hard and gave her some mild pain medicine, trusting all the while that God would heal her. She survived.
With regard to the pastor’s Leadership Training classes, Keith and Victor began a series in January on Spiritual Gifts which they finished recently. Victor handled the biblical basis and theology and Keith covered the practice of the spiritual gifts in the local church. The teaching was given at the newly completed Bible School classroom (see picture) and was well attended. We have Leadership Training scheduled through June already and the leadership here will participate in much of the teaching.
On a happy note, Alex’s bush cat had some kitties (see picture). On a sad note, though, a close friend Betty Bell and my Grandma Wagner died and their funerals were this past week.
We also wanted to let everyone know that Keith and Cindy Bickley have returned to the U.S. and we will miss them very much. We are praying for their re-entry into the American culture. We are grateful for all they did, both with us and for us, and we already look forward to seeing them again. As far as our future is concerned, we already have major medical outreaches planned through July. The regional and provincial supervisors here would like for us to continue to teach their Leadership Training classes and to be available to help the them in a variety of other ministry activities .
As we write this e-mail, we are in our second day in Mt. Hagen. Soon, we will be spending a few days with PNG Foursquare Timothy Tipitap in Enga Province. Then, we will be in Goroka at the PNG Foursquare national pastors bung (meeting) from 2/25-2/28/08. The PNG highlands are breathtakingly beautiful and the climate is great. Thank you again for your prayers, concern, support and love. We could not be here without you, and we are doing our best to represent you well.
Blessings,
Victor, Lori, and Alexander Obregon
Attempt Great Things For God.
Expect Great Things From God.
William Carey
Our last medical outreach was a one-day outreach to the Kabanga plantation and surrounding villages in January 20th . It was a follow-up visit to an underserved area of East New Britain where we had previously held an evangelism crusade. We had something happen that was very significant. Five local nurses and medical workers from a local hospital, some of who were HIV/AIDS counselors, accompanied us on the outreach (see picture). They staffed most of the clinic and did some very important HIV/AIDS awareness teaching. We were able to share information and laughter and we saw the very hard-working people who were otherwise busy cutting and drying coconut for the market. It was good to see the medical ministry staffs almost entirely by PNG nationals.
A special memory I had of that particular day was when we were taking a break. I saw a little boy around the age of 5 slowly dragging his left foot along the ground. When I went to check him, I saw he had an infected big toe. He was a little afraid of me so I handed out some colorful stickers that Cindy had brought. All the bystanders crowded in to each get a sticker. They like to put it on their faces. As I was crouched down cleaning this tender toe, I felt a little hand stroke my hair from behind. Now, there wasn’t any way I could turn to see who touched me because I was concentrating on the boy. Even though we were outside in a large area, the children were packed all around me – I could barely move my arms to clean the sore. It was strange to be so moved by this gentle touching of my hair, but I felt like I wasn’t supposed to respond. Later, sitting on the ground and watching a skit being put on, I noticed the most beautiful perfectly formed miniature conch shell with a lavender interior strewn among the rubbish.. It reminded me of God’s heart. He is always moved by the heart that is reaching out to Him wondering and questioning much like the child who touched my hair. I pray that God will show Himself strong to this one.
Our village had a large funeral that we attended. The deceased was Pastor Komet’s father from the village we live in. Victor was called to see the man in the village just before he died. He rode with Pastor Komet and most of the family to the local hospital where he died. Victor was deeply moved by the care and love given to this elderly man by all of the family present and the hospital staff. Part of the family are Christians and part were not, so it was a traditional Tolei funeral complete with “dukduks” (men dressed in costumes who have asked the spirits of their dead ancestors to possess them – see picture) and a week of wailing and morning and the giving out of coils and coils of shell money. The heartbreaking part was the awful wailing of the people who have no hope yet.
Cindy and I went to the local hospital and distributed little packages to the labor ward (which is unlike any ward you could imagine) and prayed with some women. Then a couple days later, we went into the bush to check on a lady who was pregnant and I brought our Doppler so we could hear the baby’s heart beat. On the way home we prayed over a young girl named “Lucy” that had survived being struck on the forehead with a coconut. Many people often die as a result of a fallen coconut. We prayed hard and gave her some mild pain medicine, trusting all the while that God would heal her. She survived.
With regard to the pastor’s Leadership Training classes, Keith and Victor began a series in January on Spiritual Gifts which they finished recently. Victor handled the biblical basis and theology and Keith covered the practice of the spiritual gifts in the local church. The teaching was given at the newly completed Bible School classroom (see picture) and was well attended. We have Leadership Training scheduled through June already and the leadership here will participate in much of the teaching.
On a happy note, Alex’s bush cat had some kitties (see picture). On a sad note, though, a close friend Betty Bell and my Grandma Wagner died and their funerals were this past week.
We also wanted to let everyone know that Keith and Cindy Bickley have returned to the U.S. and we will miss them very much. We are praying for their re-entry into the American culture. We are grateful for all they did, both with us and for us, and we already look forward to seeing them again. As far as our future is concerned, we already have major medical outreaches planned through July. The regional and provincial supervisors here would like for us to continue to teach their Leadership Training classes and to be available to help the them in a variety of other ministry activities .
As we write this e-mail, we are in our second day in Mt. Hagen. Soon, we will be spending a few days with PNG Foursquare Timothy Tipitap in Enga Province. Then, we will be in Goroka at the PNG Foursquare national pastors bung (meeting) from 2/25-2/28/08. The PNG highlands are breathtakingly beautiful and the climate is great. Thank you again for your prayers, concern, support and love. We could not be here without you, and we are doing our best to represent you well.
Blessings,
Victor, Lori, and Alexander Obregon
Attempt Great Things For God.
Expect Great Things From God.
William Carey
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