20100522 Our May Newsletter

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been an exceptionally busy time here for us since our last newsletter.

One of the large mobile phone carriers here in PNG has recognized our medical ministry. Last month, their Board of Directors approved an 85,000 kina (30,000 U.S. Dollar) sponsorship package which will enable us to purchase advanced life support emergency medical equipment, medications, and outreach supplies like tents and a cooking stove for the medical and evangelism team. In addition to this, our vehicle will be outfitted with a sturdy commercial grade roof rack and basket to carry our outreach cargo and our 23 foot banana boat will be outfitted with a canopy.

We had a medical outreach last month to a poor and remote bush area (see pictures). The outreach to 341 patients was held in one of the more dangerous areas in the Province. In addition to seeing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in action, all who attended also heard about Jesus Our Savior and Healer. Three nurses from the Kokopo Town Haus Sik (hospital) accompanied us and gave hygiene and cholera awareness teaching (see picture). As usual, a worship and evangelism team of pastors joined us for the outreach. Signs and wonders continue to attend our outreaches. One patient was brought to us in a truck because she could not walk due to shortness of breath and we assessed her at the “truck-side” (see picture). We prayed for her and she felt better right away but still, we advised her family that she be taken to the hospital for further evaluation. We learned later that she was never taken to town that day because her shortness of breath completely abated after prayer. Another patient we saw presented to us with an active “fit” which did not medically look like usual seizure activity. Upon a quick review of her medical history, her long history of “fits” had been refractory to all kinds of anti-seizure medications. But after the pastors and Victor commandingly prayed for her, the “fit” stopped altogether. She re-dedicated her life to Jesus and is now attending church again.

After just a few months of planning, the Kokopo Town Foursquare Church had a “handover/takeover” service earlier this month. Pastor Timothy Tipitap, the PNG national Foursquare president, presided over the service and he appointed a new senior pastor to the Town Church. Our new Town pastor is experienced in re-developing churches and he is also the secretary of the PNG National Executive Council (NEC). His wife is the PNG National Foursquare United Foursquare Women’s (UFW) Director. At the service, the outgoing pastor symbolically hands a Bible to the incoming pastor as the President prays over them (see picture). It was also interesting to listen to Pastor Timothy speak about how Foursquare has been in the highlands and other regions of PNG now for over 50 years, but in contrast, Foursquare has only had a presence in the island region for the last 20 years. Our incoming pastors and outgoing pastors and the congregation really need a lot of prayer at this time so please lift them all up in prayer.

We continue to be heavily involved in leadership training and reconciliation work. At our last meeting with the pastors and their spouses earlier this month, we used the book of Lamentations to teach on the pastoral work of ‘”pain-sharing.” Here in Papua New Guinea, the family and community-oriented people have no difficulty expressing their pain and grief in public like at funerals, etc. but just like every where else even the leaders here often find it difficult share pain and grieve with their spouses and families in a more private setting. As we have written about before and after several months of prayerful planning, the Provincial Foursqaure leaders here in East New Britain will be reconciling with a former Foursquare pastor tomorrow. We will have pictures and write more on the reconciliation service next time, but for now we would like to thank all of you who prayed for the reconciliation. We believe that this is an important service that the Holy Spirit will use to bring much needed healing and revival to the area.

Here are our prayer requests:

That spiritual opposition like strongholds and idolatry would be broken down here in the PNG island region.

· For unity and love inter-denominationally.

· For continued protection from disease and violence.

· Help for Alex with his school load.

· Guidance for the future outreaches and courage and boldness to do what God asks of us.

· For Nathan, our oldest son, who lives in the U.S.

We wish you all a wonderful Memorial Day holiday. We join you especially in remembering those who gave up their lives so that we could have the freedom we have. Thanks for your prayers and your support.

Blessings,

Victor and Lori and Alexander Obregon

Expect Great Things from God

Attempt Great Things for God

William Carey