Rewind...to December and January!

Wow!  I can't believe it is already the middle of March!  No doubt a definite sign of aging! 
We are well here in PNG.  We have seen much happen over the past few months and many times when God's hand of protection and grace have been evident. 
I am going to take a few moments to re-wind a little and highlight some events since our last post which, if you look below, was nearly 4 months ago!  Jeff's  parents came for a visit arriving the end of Nov.  We have always told our folks if they are going to spend the money to come they should stay as long as they can.  That is what they did!  We were able to enjoy our special Christmas English Lotu (Service) on Dec 2nd which is always a treat.  Jessica and Susan's birthdays were celebrated on Dec 14th and 16th respectively.  We went to the big metropolis (that is of course a relative term!) of Mt. Hagen and spent some time shopping and was able to have lunch at the Squash Club. That was nice!  Our annual Christmas Eve, Eve party was held on the eve of Christmas Eve, Eve this year!  We have made it a tradition of having a party on the 23rd so as not to interfere with any special Christmas Eve services.  Since Christmas was on Tues this year, that means Christmas Eve was on Monday and Christmas Eve, Eve was on Sunday. That didn't seem like the best time for our party either since there were special services at the church.  So, we went to the 22nd!  Everyone brings a holiday treat to share and we play games and have fun together as a mission family.  This year's big game was a Christmas movie trivia game where we played short clips from various Christmas movies and then asked trivia questions related to the clip.  We had fun putting it together and I think all had fun playing it.  Christmas also brings the tradition of Christmas Caroling on the hospital wards and giving gifts to the patients which is always a special time. We are very blessed to have so many wonderful members of our family living and working together here at Kudjip Station.
We brought the New Year in, just our family, with horns and sparklers and then went to bed!  Jeff's Birthday on Jan 9th gave us another very special something to celebrate and another excuse for more cake and ice cream!!  A little later in January we took Jeff's folks to Kumul Lodge where we got to observe and take lots of pictures of two varieties of Birds of Paradise, parrots, and several other beautiful birds. It was nice.  The end of the month before Jeff's folks left on the 25th , we enjoyed one last Birthday celebration as it was Ethan and Grandma's turn! 
Pics to come!

Using video to reach the lost for Jesus.

As missionaries part of the fun in the journey is the people God brings across our path, people that we can share the ministry with.  One of those people is Paul Finch.  He is here as a volunteer and has been a tremendous help in the work of the Hydro-Electric Project at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital.  Before he came he asked about bringing video equipment so he could show Christian films.  He was told yes and packed the equipment needed.  Paul said, "Then I remembered that most of the bush churches have no power.  God reminded me that my pastor had a small suitcase size generator. I brought that along in my luggage."  

A few days after his arrival he showed his first film, since then it has been 4 nights a week and close to 40 different showings.  Paul says, "In the 11 weeks I have been here over 4000 people have seen a film. The most popular is the film” End of the Spear”. At first I was amazed at how much it meant to them.  But the longer I am here to see the culture I realize that revenge killings and brutal treatment of people are expected. This film gives them hope. For the Christian it is hope that there communities can change. For the non-Christian it reveals other options to the violence.   That forgiveness is possible.  The pastors here are so thankful to have it shown in their church because it is very hard for them to get across to their people. This film gives a visual similar to the culture of the PNG people  of which they can relate to."

Sunday nights viewing at Wagmil Naz
Apa seated on chair front corner.

At one of the first services where the "End of the Spear" was shown, a pair of woman came up after the film and forgave one another.  It seems that one was married to the brother of the other.  The sister blamed her for his death.  She publicly forgave the wife for accusing her and asked for forgiveness for all the wrong things she had done. Many tears were shed, and a lot of hugs shared.

Also shown is The Jesus film for Children.  Nearly 900 students, from the school just outside Nazarene Hospital gates, packed in a church to see the Jesus film for children and the End of the Spear. God planted many seeds that day!

At one church there were so many people that they were pulling the siding of the church back to see.  At others when the windows & doors are full as many as 25-40 people leave because they cannot get in to see.



A video showing to the hydro crew at the hospital chapel.

As mentioned before the Hydro Electric Project is under way.   The Admin. team for the hospital has a system worked out with the local village people that every month they rotate workers to get as many involved as possible with the work. At each months changing of the crews, on the last Friday that they get paid, Paul shows a video. Earl, our project manager for the Hydro project, had asked me to be involved with the last one, this past Friday, and to have a wrap up, an alter call if you will, at the end of the movie. The movie was called “The Climb,” I think, but it deals with a friend giving his life for his buddy. After talking with the group for a few minutes I asked any who wanted to repeat a sinners prayer after me could do so. I was told that 8 people prayed the pray.

 

Paul setting up our sheet for showing the video at Apa's village.

This past Sunday night we showed the “End of the Spear,” at Wagmil Nazarene church and there were over 100 people present for the showing. At the end of the movie there were many who prayed the sinners prayer. It was also neat, Apa, a National was translating and helping in the understanding of the movie as it was playing.  As Paul said, "I stand in awe of the Power of the Holy Spirit. To be able to communicate through these films, that are in English, to people that don’t speak much English at all. I now have a man named Apa who goes to interpret for the people. He has a passion for spreading God’s saving grace. I hope to return to PNG to be able to go to more Bush churches and share this film. If that is Gods will and with His help I am willing. PRAISE GOD for HE HAS DONE GREAT THINGS!!!"  

 

This coming Sunday night we are planning to return to a village that we showed “The End of the Spear” at several weeks ago. Paul had planned to show the Kids Jesus Film also that night but the generator died and we were unable to show it. The man in charge that night asked if we would come back and show it. We didn’t want to make promises not knowing how everything would work out. But because they wanted to see it we are going to try and go back. Apa goes with Paul a lot to these showings and this is actually his village so he is to let them know we are coming. Paul leaves Monday morning but we hate not to show it when they want to see it and if one person is changed through it, then it is all worth it.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal. 6:10)

Photos and story are by Paul Finch & Jeff.

Follow - up on Q2012!

Wow!  It is hard to believe that so many months have passed since our MKs were in the States for quizzing.  This was such a rewarding and fun time for all the kids...and those of us who had the distinct privilege of going along!
The last blog I posted was after day 2 of the quiz.  The competition continued to grow as the week went on.  Our kids did great though!   Our team finished 6th at the District level.  Lydia Radcliffe ranked 16th at the District Experienced level and 5th at the Regional level.    Jo Radcliffe was 20th at the District Experienced level!
We had a great time making new friends while at the Quiz as well as re-connecting with some friends we made this past May/June with some of the ONU students who came to PNG for a a couple of weeks.  We also had a number of family members support us at the Quiz.  All in all, the entire event was nothing short of amazing!  The Lord richly blessed us all and we are thankful for the opportunities given!


An evening meal with ONU pals!

Q2012!! The first 2 days of quizzing.



Praise and worship

We all awoke bright, well maybe not so bright, and early on Monday July 2nd and prepared to load the bus for ONU!  McCoys arrive back late last night after the rest of us were in bed from Oklahoma.  The bus pulled out of the East Ohio District Camp Center at about 6:30 am.  All went smoothly including a stop in Medina to pick some of the North Central Ohio Quizzers.


First day of district quizzing - Go Kudjip Paia!

Monday at ONU including registration, moving into our rooms, dinner and a time of praise and worship in Centennial Chapel.  It was great to see all these young people along with their coaches, family and other supporters gather together to share their knowledge of the scriptures.

Tuesday is when it all began.  We had 7 district quizzes in the morning of which we won 5!!  That put us at #7 out of the 22 teams in our pool.  The rest of the day the kids were free to spend however they liked along with taking a little time out to help load the personal and non-perishable food products everyone brought as part of a ministry project onto a truck and trailer.  Some found the pool tables and ping pong, others went to a few other quizzes to support their friends, or in our case our nephew/cousin Isaac!  There was an evening seminar on Discipleship that most of us went to and enjoyed.  Quizzing, of course, shouldn't be just about competition but about growing in our knowledge of the Word and sharing that knowledge and love for Christ with whomever we meet whether in word or in action.

Can't have all work and no play!

Loading boxes for the ministry project.










Wednesday morning was awesome.  The team really came together at the district quizzes.  They won 3 out of 4, putting our total at 8 wins and 3 losses and moving our rank to #4 in the District Experience Pool A category.  Things got a whole lot tougher in the afternoon.  Remembering that all the other regional team members are the best of the best of their entire educational regions and have had to compete repeatedly at the local, district and regional levels in order to make the regional team, our kids did quite well, and we are very proud of each one of them!  We won 2 out of the 8 quizzes we competed in. 



Go Ethan!!

Aunt Becky Hancock and Grandma Beam cheering on the team...noisily!



After our last quiz, we ate dinner quickly and headed for the water park for some much deserved pool time! It was refreshing especially with the outside temperature tickling 100 degrees today!

Jessica and Ethan with cousin Isaac



Swimming after a long day of  12 quizzes.

Little fun between practice and competition!

The kids anxiously awaiting the arrival of Cilla!

Tom West and the gang!

From June 26th thru July 1 we were without our coach.  Oh no...that doesn't mean no practice but it does mean less practice and more time for fun!  We traveled to Mt. Vernon as a group.  We then said good-bye to Bill and Marsha for a few days.  The kids waited expectantly in the driveway for Cilla to arrive!  After she joined the group we got to go to The Doenges house for a cook out! It was a great time and very nice to re-connect with Dr. Stephanie's parents.  We also got to meet her sister and family...who are now another part of our extended missionary family!!  Wahoo!

Wednesday morning Quinton, Jessica, Allie and I went to MVNU for Quinton's college visit!  By lunch time we were all getting hungry and were treated to a Mexican meal by Tom West, the MVNU Alumni Director.  That was awesome! We all received some great MVNU stuff too!  Thanks Tom!!

Pure relaxation!

In the afternoon we went swimming at Honey Run and then Hiawatha pools and slides.  The kids had a great time! 

They look professional!

How refreshing!

Jessica and Ethan racing along!

Thursday we headed to Loudonville where we went canoeing and go-kart riding and then had to say good-bye to Cilla.  We then headed back to East Ohio District Camp.


Friday - Sunday we did some shopping and enjoyed time with Jeff and I's families.  It was great.  It is always nice for our family back home to meet more of the people that we are spending our lives with in PNG.

I will write more soon about our quizzing adventure at ONU but for now you need to know that we had our first set of quizzes today.  We quizzed 7 rounds and won 5 at the district level!  Yippee!  Tomorrow afternoon we will quiz with regional teams.  The challenges will be greater.  Keep praying for us! The kids are great and God is good! Most importantly the kids are doing their best and are having a good time and they are learning so much from God's word that will be remembered for many years to come!

Q2012---Before the actual event!

Waiting for the bus in Hong Kong. 

A huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to our team making it to Q2012!  God provided our safe travels and the blessing of spending time with family and friends!  We left Pt Moresby, PNG on June 18th, Josiah Radcliffe's Birthday, and headed to Hong Kong.  All went smoothly!  We stayed over night there and then proceeded to Chicago on Tuesday.  At that point we divided.  Jo and Lydia Radcliffe went to Columbus while Jessica, Ethan, Allie Dooley and myself flew into Cleveland.  It is always wonderful to be greeted by family!  My parents, in-laws, brother-in-law and nephew were all there along with a friend, and our driver, Tim. 
Bill & Marsha and Quinton Schmelzenbach met up with Jo and Lydia in Columbus and joined us at the East Ohio District Camp around noon on Wed.
Quizzing, quizzing and more quizzing filled the next week along with a few trips to the camp pool and a nice lunch with Dr. Steven Manley and my parents, Wayne and Pat Cummings and a meal with my in-laws and Jeff's sister Gay and her family on Monday night.  We had the opportunity to attend a couple of services and events at the East Ohio Campmeeting.  In addition to all of that we had a surprise visit with Tammi Jaynes who has volunteered on two occasions for a year at a time to come teach at our MK school in PNG.  We love you Tammi!
The East Ohio District NMI was gracious and generous enough to allow the team to stay at the mission house at no cost, contributed to the cost of attending the quiz and provided some of the consumable essentials in the house for our use!  THANK YOU EAST OHIO NMI!! 
Stay tuned for updates on our 5 days between practice with Uncle Bill and Q2012!

The countdown is on!!

Our quizzers have been working hard for many months!  They have continued with early morning flash practices, afternoon practices and Saturday practice quizzes with jump seats and an audience to cheer them on!  Over the past 2 months we had two occasions for quiz parties as well with games, food and fun for all! Wahoo!
Now we have just 9 days till we get on the first of 4  flights to get from the highlands of PNG to the great state of Ohio, which is home to 4 out of our 6 quizzers!
Please keep praying for us as we get the last few items lined up for our travels and finish up with a few responsibilities here PNG!  Pray for safe travels. Pray for our time with Coach Bill McCoy as we reunite and then study together for a week at the East Ohio Camp Center.  Pray that our kids will be able to keep their heads and stay focused during the quiz and not be distracted or intimidated by the competition and by those watching. This is an all new experience for them. Pray that they will make some new friends during this gathering of amazing young people from all over the  US.  And pray that they will have fun and that all they have learned will stay with them for many years to come!!

If you have a desire to assist us with the cost of this great endeavor it is not too late!  You may do so by writing a check to:  "Global Treasurer Church of the Nazarene"
In the memo write: Work of Bill McCoy - Quiz Team. 
Send check to:
Global Treasury Services
Attn: Molly Cole
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas  662200

Chaplain Retreat #3

Last month we had the privilege of again planning and being a part of a special time with our Chaplains.  This year things have been busier then usual with lots of people coming and going and for myself, as I am planning a trip as chaperon to the US with our Teen Bible Quizzers.  For these reasons, I opted for a 1 day event for our chaplains.
Our focus this year was on death and dying.  We focused not so much on dying itself but how the customs and traditional beliefs of PNG society affect how they think about death and how we can be sensitive to the needs of our patients and their families during these difficult days.  Our special guests were Dr. Jim Radcliffe and Mrs. Julie Lutz.  After a time of singing and prayer, Jim shared some devotional thoughts.  Subsequently, Julie, who experienced the difficulties of dealing with the impending and eventual death of her husband Steve was able to bring a special awareness to all of us.  Through her sharing we were able to see how the amazing God we serve is able to intervene and bring comfort and strength in times of loss and how we can support and encourage  others who are facing death themselves or who have a family member who is facing death.
Thank you for your prayers for our chaplains!  Each day they are busy ministering to our many patients.  Pray that they will be exactly who God wants for them to be to each one they have opportunity to counsel and pray with.  Pray also that I will be sensitive to ways in which I can encourage them, our chaplains!

Dr. Susan

The sun has only been up for half an hour!

View from our bedroom window!

When I climbed into bed last night I was excited about sleeping in about 40 minutes longer than usual!!  I had no intention of running or getting up earlier for any other reason. I would allow just enough time to get ready to be at work by 8 o'clock! 

As I began to become aware of my surroundings I realized it was not because my alarm clock had gone off as it was only 6:30 a.m. Rather it was because there were voices outside my window! Familiar voices.  MK voices.  Quiz coach Bill McCoy's voice.   Yep!  Today is a flash practice day!!  (If you don't know what that is, scroll down a couple of blog entries and you'll find out!)

Some appear more awake than others!

I really didn't mind being woke up!  I am ecstatic about the effort the kids are putting into Bible Quizzing. 

A couple of week-ends ago I went on a hike with a number of our missionary family members.  Included on the hike were 3 of our quizzers.  You know what they all had in their pockets? Their portion of scripture for quizzing; Hebrews and 1& 2 Peter!  The picture to the right is taken at the top of Mt. Tabi.  If you look close behind the quizzers to the left you can see Kudjip station about 2000 ft below!

Update on Quizzing!

Our kids continue to work hard.  Last Friday night and Saturday morning they had a quiz using some of our "adult quizzers" to create 2 teams. There were 3 rounds Friday night followed by 7 rounds on Saturday morning.  The idea behind it was to give the kids an idea of what back-to-back rounds in competition will be like.  They did great! 
The excitement is growing as we continue to work out details of travel and accomodations and all the numerous details.  Airline tickets prices are quite crazy right now ranging from $2900 - nearly $4000 per person. We believe that this experience for our kids is well worth the effort.  If you are in agreement and if the Lord should lay it on your heart to contribute financially in this endeavor we have a way that you can do that! 

Checks can be written to:    
Global Treasurer Church of the Nazarene
In the memo write: 
"Work of Mccoy - Quiz Team"

Send to:  Global Treasury Services
                Attn: Molly Cole
                17001 Prairie Star Pkwy
                Lenexa, KS   662200



For another story on the MK quiz team in PNG go to erininpng.blogspot.com.au/



Thanks for your love and support and prayers!!  Yes, please keep those prayers coming!! God hears and answers!
The Myers4