Missions Sunday

Last Sunday at GBC was geared for missions. All three families that are preparing for Papua New Guinea were able to speak: The Cann's, Dodd's, and us (the Lehman's). I would encourage you to take the time and hear from each family what their roles will be, and more specifically what are their current needs.

Please follow the link to watch: Grace Bible Church (Missions Sunday)

Financial Support Update

There are three areas that we currently need support in: PNG June trip, Initial sending costs, and monthly support. Below are some quick stats on where we currently stand - the percentage is what we have currently raised. Praise God that people have had a desire to support us in the gospel going to PNG.

If you have a desire to get involved financially please visit our page on donating and let us know how you would like to participate:  Get Involved

Who's your wantok? & Proverbs 11:28

Who's your wantok, or who are your wantoks?  We are still in the middle of culture and language acquisition and read an article about the Wantok System in PNG.  A wantok in the shortest summary is your friend.  It is the division between "us" and "them"; it also comes with expectations that are not expressly spoken.

The view of a wantok starts small and then works itself outward in larger concentric circles.  Trying to relate this to American culture:  If you have a spouse they would be your wantok, your family would be your wantok, your coligues at work could be wantoks, you could be a wantok with others that represent the city you live in, you could be a wantok of those living in the state you reside, etc...

The spin on the Wantok System in PNG is how it relates to ecconomy.  Things are given to wantoks with the unspoken expectation that you will return the favor in the future.  It is like having liability placed on you that your friend (wantok) can redeem at a later date.

We have been kicking this idea around and thinking on how we will choose to interact in the Wantok System in PNG.  Not sure that we have arrived at a solid answer yet...

Proverbs 11:28
He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

Do I view money as an end or a means to an end?  No doubt there have been countless times that I have viewed money as the tool for success, but that is a foolish thought.  Notice that the righteous mentioned in verse 28b flourishes; there is not even the mentioning of him having riches.  Thinking on the truth that riches are truly fleeting, and the only true pursuit that flourishes is the righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ.

Riches are a tool used by God for the advancing of the Gospel.  Believer, be diligent, work hard, save, but trust in Jesus Christ - your riches are but a tool to be used in due time.

Chinese Market & Luke 24:46-47

Thinking of creative ways to prepare for a foreign culture when you are not there is just downright fun.  From evenings with no lights in the house (just candles), cooking unique foods, not running the A/C very much and my favorite; shopping at unique markets.

This weekend we ventured into a Chinese marketplace to see the produce and smell the aroma of different... it was very different.  We started in the produce isle and found some awesome fruits/vegetables that we had never seen before:  Mini bananas (Belle is holding these), taro root (Greer's head is being blocked by it), and jackfruit (they look like a spiny watermelon).

We turned the taro root into tarro chips - tasty.  The jackfruit we left at the marketplace as it just seemed like a serious project to dig into - maybe next time.

The real different aroma is walking from the produce section into the fresh meat/seafood section.  Without fail there always seems to be a dangerous aroma of beef, pork, chicken, crab, shrimp, lobster, and 40 varieties of fish.  There is a lot of heart shepherding that happens as we transition from produce to meat.

The whole family had a blast at the market this weekend - even with the unique smells!

Luke 24
My bible reading took me through the death, burial  and resurrection of Jesus Christ this last week.  Jesus had been resurrected from the dead, appeared to disciples as they walked to Emmaus, and then appeared before all His disciples behind a locked door.  After calming the disciples from the shock of the resurrected Jesus appearing before them, they touch his body, and he eats fish so show them he is real (and not a spirit).  He then proceeds to open their minds to the scriptures.

Jesus then shows his disciples that it was written:

46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

This message is to be preached, and taken to ALL the nations.  Taking the gospel to a tribe that has not yet heard makes strange foods, and hard transitions a joy!