To update on our internet........

We were able to get a new phone (iPhone!!).  Thanks to Missionary Matt Allen.  He is a missionary here in PNG that also works in a remote area.  He has access to the internet using a satellite system of internet.  So we asked him to look for a used iPhone on the internet.  He found one in his home town where his brother also lives.  This brother was able to go and check out the phone.  Then there was a young man coming to see the Allens who was able to bring the phone with him.

For those who may not know this:  our only form of internet is the phone.  The phone we had just one day decided not to allow the internet to come into our phone.  Mark when he went to Port Moresby took it to the cell phone company we use here but to no avail.   After 2 hours they could not figure out the problem.  Their only solution was you brought that phone from America and we have been running into problems like this with phones brought in from the states.  So maybe it will work in the states when we go on furlough?  (The phone side of it still works.)

We dream of one day having satellite internet that would allow us to use our computers online and also do things like facetime or skype.  Maybe someday but until then we will be thankful with our phones  that they allow us to access emails and usually get on webpages. 

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;  Ephesians 5:20

Loneliness

Loneliness can be felt in many different ways. You can feel lonely in a room full of people especially if you don't know their language or you don't understand what is going on. Another way you may feel lonely is if you live in a remote place where there are not a lot of people. You may also feel lonely because you are a long way from home and can't communicate with people you care about. I also believe you can be lonely because you want to or choose to be.

We live in a remote place.  Though we live in a remote place, it is a government station.  So we don't live all by ourselves with no one around.  There are people that come and go.  These are the people we have come to minister to. 

There are times when I don't understand what is going on because I don't know the local language yet.  I have picked up some so I can sometimes get context.  Because we are a government station there are others here (from Papua New Guinea) that also do no understand this local language.  They are government workers.  Most work in the clinic here.  Since this is the case most things are done in tok pisin which I do understand. 

For me loneliness is not about the language,  or the remoteness.  Loneliness is the lack of ability to communicate with those I love from my own country.  Recently we have had a new trial.  Our internet went down on our phone.  We do not know for sure if it is our phone or the tower.  We still have phone access but since it is so expensive we don't  get many calls.  When we had internet we would get several emails a day.  It has now been 2 weeks since we have had internet.  This may seem trivial.  Maybe you don't have internet at your house, and you think that's not such a big deal.  Being 14,000 miles away from family and friends with no internet is a big deal to me.  I guess if I never had it I wouldn't miss it.  Right now I am really missing it.   I have to put down feelings of worry.  What if something happens to family and friends?  Plus I just miss the communication and being able to "talk" via email to those I love and care about!

So what am I learning?  Loneliness  can be a choice we make.  Like when our kids are "bored".  I as a mom can always find a way for them to not be bored.  They don't complain to me much about that. :)  In the same way I can choose to not be lonely by not dwelling on it.  I do live in a house with 9 people.  It is rarely "lonely" in the sense of being all alone.  I find that choosing to not be lonely is a good choice.  It sure makes my family happy rather than me moping about.  In PNG I have learned that many times we are put in situations that we have no control over.  Though my flesh hates this my spirit understands that these are times of relying on God.  We have seen God work in miraculous ways because we have been put in these circumstances.

Are you feeling lonely?  Does life not seem to be going your way lately?  I'd like to leave you with a verse...Psalm 37:5a  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:...