God is Good and He is Faithful!

We tend to take a look back over the year as we near the end of one and enter into the next.  There have been ups and downs this past year.  True, that is typical for every year, right?  But as I look back I feel blessed.  Even, or maybe I should say, especially in the difficult days, God is in control and He is Good and He is Faithful!
I guess I thought as the years went by as a missionary it would become easier and easier being away from family.  We have family and friends here and the work is part of who we are and we are happy and fulfilled in it. As far as missing family and our homeland there are other benefits, not the least of course, is knowing we are doing what God wants, that make up for it.  I think I was pretty much on target with thinking things would get easier, at least on some levels, until our kids left home.  Then things changed and it became a whole different kind of hard.  But in these days, too, God continues to love and lead and provide what we need to carry on.  We do look forward to being with our kids and family and some times the days can't go by fast enough...but again, God will meet our needs and look after our kids and family till we can be with them again!
This past year we lost two family members. Well, they're not lost actually! They're dancing in the streets of gold in the heavenly realm!  But we sure miss them.  God has been faithful and continues to be a help and a stronghold to their families.  It is truly amazing to see His hand in all things.

Jim imparting wisdom during our farewell party.

Everyone in PNG knows Dr. Jim and Kathy Radcliffe, or so it seems!  They served here in PNG for 32+ years!  Wow!!  We only have 16 more years to catch up to them! 😊  We said good-bye to them on Dec 23rd.  Oh, we expect to see them again but not as full-time missionaries here in PNG which leaves a big hole for us here.  But, yet again, God is faithful and He will be with us still and with them as well.  Change is inevitable and since we can't "change" it, we may as well embrace it!  We'll look forward to re-uniting and will pray for all the ways they will be ministering Stateside.
We have three new missionary families who have joined us over the past year!  We have had the pleasure of serving as missionary mentors to Justin, Stephanie and Amber Joy Miller and Sheryl Uyeda.  Justin is one of those techi type guys and works in our Field Office while Stephanie has been involved with our MK school. Sheryl is our newest surgeon! They are all doing an awesome job.  Love and appreciate their sensitivity to answering God's call on their lives and so glad we get to journey with them!  

Sheryl and I

God bless you all as you reminisce over the past year.  May your hearts and minds be filled with precious memories of God's Goodness and Faithfulness in your lives!  He is, in fact, the only One we can have absolute confidence and trust in, the One who will NEVER leave us!