Papua New Guinea Week 1

Hello from Papua New Guinea!

The wait is finally over and I am so beyond grateful. It seemed like those few months from saying yes to Gods calling in children’s ministry to finally landing across the world took forever! But here we are, suddenly already a week in!

Travel was quite difficult on me. On top of experiencing jet lag for the first time (with a 17 hour time difference) I also had to battle very difficult side effects from a anti malarial. For whatever reason, the medication made me quite depressed and anxious. It reached a point where I decided it just wasn’t worth it. While coming off of the anti malarial's and adjusting to the vast time zone change I struggled quite a bit with home sickness. It’s lovely to think that God has blessed me at home with such a wonderful community that I have something to miss. The worst of my homesickness was over in only a matter of days however and I’m feeling much more like myself. For my friends and family who were praying regarding all of these concerns, thank you. The Lord has turned His ear toward your prayer and provided an abundance of peace and a great reminder of His steadfast love.

Children’s Ministry

As far as children’s ministry goes, it is well!  It, however, is not easy! I’m having so much fun reading children’s stories and blowing bubbles but we have a very unique experience here. Out of our 10 kids most have never experienced any kind of day care facility away from mum. For our students who have experienced something like it, it has been over a year! We definitely struggle in the mornings to assure our kids that mum is coming back and there is no need to cry. We’re having tons of fun learning about different Bible characters, such as Moses and Jacob. Our kids especially love being outside and playing with bubbles! Monday through Friday we have them with us for 3 hours in the mornings and then 3 nights a week we have them for another 2 hours. This past week we’ve been working especially hard to nail down a schedule so our kiddos can have a sense of rhythm to the day. Hopefully this next week will be better paced as we get our bearings.

A look at life on Base

Aside from Children’s ministry I am joyfully being included in other activities here on campus. I’ve joined a “life group” which meets on Wednesday evenings to go through Philippians' together. It is incredibly life giving to dive into the word with brothers and sisters in Christ with such vastly different backgrounds and perspectives. As I am only 17 I’m not super comfortable sharing a lot in that group. I'm still feeling a bit like a child some days in light of everyone being well into their vocational ministry careers and my only sources of ministry being bible studies, clubs, and youth groups. However, everyone here is incredibly encouraging and proud of me for being on missions so young, which is so sweet to my soul.

We also don’t provide childcare during worship so that gives me Kellan and Grace the opportunity to participate. If you’re curious, it’s much louder than most services back home and often not in English. However, it is so beyond beautiful. It is a glimpse of joy in heaven and the fulfillment of every tongue declaring praise to the Lord.

Aside from scheduled interactions, I am also feeling extremely welcomed by the friends I’ve made here in PNG. Our free time is spent playing card games and hitting around a soccer ball (that we use as a volleyball). There is lots of laughter and love shared between the bunch of us. I can surely say I find myself at peace here.

Today we left base and visited a mall in Port Moresby. It is always so intriguing to me to see all of the varying snacks and foods in the shops. We bought many supplies for crafts for the kids as well as a few snacks. In total our supplies rung us at 200 Kina, which is roughly 58 USD.

Outreach

Yesterday I also got to participate in outreach in which we walked a bit away from the YWAM base and distributed Bibles. We entered into some of the neighborhoods and villages of Port Moresby and struck up conversation with locals and prayed with those we met. Unfortunately for me there’s a bit of a language barrier seeing as I don’t speak pidgin, I'm a bit behind. The kids we met on the way didn’t seem to mind, smiles are a universal language. We gave out both youth and adult Bibles which was so fulfilling. I had never experienced kids so eager to get the word of God.

Though some moments proved difficult, God prevailed faithful.

Prayer Requests

This upcoming week you can be praying for our children in ministry. That they would become more accustomed to having time away from parents and warm up to the team more. Continue in steadfast prayers that the stories and lessons we teach this week would impact them and their hearts. Even little ones have a viral role in the Kingdom, we just ask that God would help us steward them well.

Be praying for the delegates here on campus as they study through the LTS. Be especially considerate of the parents who are learning as they have their own families to prioritize as the also take on studies.

Be praying for those we encountered on our outreach, that what was shared and prayed would not fall flat but produce fruit in their lives. Also pray for those we will encounter on our next 3 outreaches, that God would actively be preparing their hearts and that He would give us the words to speak over them in the moment.

You can be praying directly for me and my team that we wouldn’t get Malaria, none of us are taking the medicine anymore. Also be praying against spiritual warfare and that the Lord would prevail in those battles.

Other support measures

Opportunities to financially support ministry down here is still greatly appreciated. My team and I will hopefully soon be headed to the shops to get more materials for our students to keep them engaged.

If you would like to donate my Venmo is

@sarahgrace2004

We greatly appreciate any and all donations seeing as our budget for children’s ministry is very small.

I will continue to update you as I chase this crazy adventure with God.

I love you dearly and thank you for your support,

Sarah-grace