T + 5 and counting!

Wow.  Much has happened since our last update!

We said goodbye to friends and family and flew from Toronto on November 25^th.  Through LA, Brisbane and finally landing in Cairns (Australia) where we spent a few days acclimatizing and enjoying Target and other luxuries like swimming pools and McDonalds. J

The morning of December 1, we boarded a plane in Cairns and flew to PNG’s capital city, Port Moresby.  We had a few hours between flights, so we went to a nearby hotel and swam in their pool and sat in their shade to help beat the intense humidity and heat. Mid afternoon, we were back on a plane and heading for our final destination.  Wewak!

We arrived in the early evening and our wonderful team met us. They welcomed us and took us to our house, where they had everything we needed, including a lovely supper waiting for us. 

We’ve spent a few days trying to get used to the humidity and heat (I won’t show you a photo of my hair), unpacking, organizing, sleeping, learning how to shop, doing a little bit of cooking, finding schoolbooks and calamine lotion, trying to establish internet connections and cell phones. 

Jay’s already busy working on a project at the Friends IN Action base, where a new housing structure is going up.  The purpose of the house is to accommodate missionary families as well as have some guest housing space for work teams and missionaries who are transitioning in and out of bush locations. 

We’ve each had our moments of homesickness,, after all – it’s only been a few days!  And honestly – it’s just as hot and dirty and smelly as we remember.  But God has given grace, and it does seem like we’re settling in.  We appreciate your continued prayers for us.  You know, we often sing "Christ is enough"... and my heart desperately wants to mean it... but I find myself wondering how much I really do...

Oh - and if you want to send us some mail (apparently it's much cheaper from the US than Canada - fyi), our current address is:  

                   The Brubachers

                   c/o Friends in Action

                   Box 1298

                   Wewak ESP 531

                    Papua New Guinea

                    

Just a note - If you're sending any kind of food item, they MUST be wrapped well!  Double and Triple wrapped in tin foil or tin boxes, and then a few more times in ziplock bags, etc.  Boxes do arrive in PNG with holes chewed in them (rats!!) and missing goodies.  

We'd love a Christmas card with your photo. :)  And if you're wanting to send something else but you're not sure what - we're beginning to compile a list. lol.  

On the back of our Air Nuigini luggage tags!

Jay and the twins at market.  Boring picture, I know, but we're not savvy enough yet to take great photos let alone get them to the right device for posting!  I promise we'll work on it. 

Gecko eggs.  !!??  Found under a bed.  Apparently they'll turn a shade darker and then hatch cute baby gecko's!!  I guess we'll find out!

It's kind of like this.

I've been thinking today, as so many of you have asked "So, are you excited?!"

I must admit that I'm not so sure how to answer that.  This is the illustration my brain came up with. 

 You know that feeling, right?  When you're in the cart, the guy comes along and pushes down on your harness to make sure it's secure.  You hear 'okay', and then the whole line of you starts down the track.  Click, click, click.  You hold on tightly.  Your stomach has some butterflies fluttering around. Suddenly, you can't quite recall why you though this was a good idea.  You come up with lots of reasons why it isn't. 

Click, click, click... there's no turning back now!  Just holding on for the ride.  And really, although right now mostly thinking about holding on, deep down I know it's going to be a good one!

Proverbs 3:5,6  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." 

Sometimes you hate it (Lena) and sometimes you love it (Jack). 

10

That was the original post title - 10.  Now we're at 6.  Including today!! 

We've got visas, passports, itineraries, travel documents, luggage... among other things.

Only 6 days until we board the plane in Toronto, make a few jumps around the globe (think LA, Brisbane...) and a few days later disembark in PNG.  

So... we're doing ok.  We're packing up our house. Packing up our bags.  Kids are finishing school today.  We're working on a few more 'leaving the country for 2 years bucket list' items. Saying many sad goodbye's, gearing up for a long trip.  Looking forward to unpacking.  

Our email address stays the same:  thebrubachers@gmail.com and our new cell numbers will be forthcoming. 

Send us a Christmas card (with a photo please) to:

The Brubachers

c/o Friends in Action

Box 1298

Wewak, ESP 531

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Can't wait to hear from you. :)

can you say... paperwork? 

So, when do you leave?

This is the question we’ve been hearing often, and believe me when I say that I wish I had an answer for you!

Short answer:  We’re simply waiting on our visa paperwork before we go ahead and book tickets.  If we happen to get the dates wrong and make plans to fly out before we have our paperwork in hand, it would be bad.  We’d have to rebook our flights, and it would cost a lot (A LOT) of money to do that.  And so… we wait.  Praying towards a November 17th departure, but knowing that could change. 

Would you pray for us?  Pray that God would speed up this whole process.  As much as we don’t want to rush the leaving thing, we’ve been working towards this for a long time, lots of things hinge on this date, and it will be very nice have it settled.  Pray that God would  keep us trusting Him in the timing of this, and that we would have peace as we wait.  That we would enjoy the time we have here, busy as it may be.  

We've been... getting vaccinations, preparing the house for long term rentals, packing up our crates, packing up our suitcases, packing up our house... we've been *starting* to say goodbye (this is hard), enjoying 'lasts' (Starbucks and the like), having dinner with friends, spending time with our families (GO JAYS!!).  Taking way too many pictures of the fall colours, jumping in the lake one last time (Thanksgiving weekend, believe it or not!). Making lists. Revising lists. Oh - and the kids started at our local Christian school (yeah!)  Crossing a few things off of lists.  Making new lists. :)  Did I mention lots and lots of paperwork? 

And we're getting closer to our goal of 100% funded!  Praising God for that for sure.  (Interested in being part of our team?)

So incredibly much to be grateful for.  

So.  That's us. Catch you again soon!

So pretty. 

Selfie with the Parliament Building.

A new adventure! First day of school at Muskoka Christian School. 

Fun at the Port Sydney Dam.

Us in 2007, right before Jay's first trip to PNG. 

A picture with Grandpa, after a quick dip in the lake on Thanksgiving Day!

Jisas

There was another woman hacked to death in the small village of Hewa, Papua New Guinea this week, accused of being a witch.  Revenge, murder, justice... ?  I could say so much, but you should just read this short story - A Witch for a Witch.

This is why God calls, and this is why we go.  That His name might be known and glorified, and that lives might be saved and changed for eternity.  In Isaiah 49:6, God says, "I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

Jesus says in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." May your light, O God, shine in Hewa even today.

It's official...

I am a terrible blogger!  It's been (well) over a month and so many of you have asked for an update!

Well, the wait is finally over. ;)

So.  We don't know our exact flying date yet, but do hope to buy tickets soon.  November'ish' is the goal.n  We should have tickets sometime in August.

We've completed some orientation and training, and absolutely feel more prepared for some of what's ahead.

Supply collecting is in full swing as the container leaves sometime in August.  Things like household furniture, kitchen necessities, school books, birthday presents, shampoo, tools, clothes, etc. are piling up in the house, getting ready to be packed up into boxes, loaded into a shipping container and floated around to the other side of the world.

Our house here in Port Sydney has been rented as of the fall, and is being given a careful grooming to ensure it's readiness. Our things will be packed up and stored in the basement while we plan to be away.

As we continue to look for partners that will keep us living and working in PNG, God continues to show His faithfulness in stirring in the hearts of those that will financially support us.  We're not at 100% yet, but over halfway and trusting that God will meet the needs.  So many of you have expressed such support and encouragement spiritually and it's been incredible blessing to us.  We believe strongly that the most valuable thing you can give us is your prayer (but we'll take your money too). Click here for the details on how to give a one time donation or join our monthly support team.

Summer is amazing in Muskoka, and we are enjoying it.  We've been able to visit with many of you already, and the summer is not even half over!  YEAHH!! Hope to see you soon. ;)

God has been faithful in the stretching and letting go to encourage us, give comfort and remind us that while much of our life is becoming more and more uncertain,  HE remains steadfast in His character and love.   And  the truth is - if we have Him, we do already have everything.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

This song by the Vertical Church Band is kind of where we're at - (have a little listen by clicking here).

Frequently Asked Questions

Just a little list of questions that keep popping up.  We’ve answered them often enough - we figured they might be on your mind, too!  

Q: So Papua New Guinea.  That’s in Africa, right? I’ve always wanted to go to Africa.  

A: No (picking up globe and pointing). Papua New Guinea is just north of Australia, quite close to the equator.  

Q: Are there dangerous wild animals like lions there? 

A: Um… not really…  there are big snakes, crocodiles, cassuary’s and wild pigs… and tree kangaroos!  But no lions. Or hippos. 

Q: So is it jungle?  Will it be hot?  Are there seasons?

A: Yes, it’s jungle.  There is only one season - really, really hot and humid.  lol. 

Q: Will your kids go to school? 

A: Yes, we want them to go to school. :)  They’ll be homeschooled, along with many missionary kids who will also be living in our town.

Q: Are your kids excited? 

A: Yes.  Most of the time, they are.  If they have a question or a concern, we talk about it and walk through it with them. :)

Q: Will you have hydro, water, a normal house… ?

A: A normal house, yes. Hydro - sometimes.  Water - when the hydro is on.  Internet?  A little bit. 

Q: Do you have to learn a new language? 

A: We will in time.  It’s called Pidgin. 

Q: Why PNG? 

A: There are many parts of the world that don’t yet have the gospel and where Jesus is not worshipped.  PNG is one of those places. We believe that God has prepared this work for us to do, and so that’s why we go. To accelerate the work of translating the Bible and planting churches that worship Jesus Christ in currently unreached areas of PNG. 

Q: Are you leaving in June?

A: Nope. Lord willing, we’ll head to PNG in November.  Our flights aren’t booked yet, so we don’t have dates yet. 

Q: Are you shipping stuff or just taking your luggage on the plane? 

A: Yes, we’ll be shipping some things. There isn’t much in PNG, so if you think you’ll need or want it, you’d better ship it. Dishes, mattresses, chairs, school supplies, rat traps (just kidding - those are readily available in PNG!), etc. (shipping date: June/July)

Q: Is it expensive to live in PNG? 

A:  Yes.  For example, (in US dollars) laundry soap in PNG is $20.23, compared to $8.99.  1 Lt of small engine oil in PNG is about $23.05.  $4.98 in the US. 

Q:  Do you need to raise money to go? 

A:  Friends in Action International is a not for profit organization, so we do need to raise support to be able to live and work in PNG. 

Q: Are you selling the house? 

A: We don’t think so.  We’re planning to rent the house while we’re away, and so the house will cover it’s own cost and be here when we get back.  We believe this to be a wise course of action at this time. 

Q: How long are you going for?  Will you be coming home for Christmas? 

A: We’re starting with 2 years. We’ll keep you updated on that. :)  And… are you offering to pay for our flights?  Just kidding.  No, we won’t be coming home during that two years. You could come for a visit though, and plan to bring an extra big suit case full of all of the things that we will be missing or that we wished we brought with us (like Starbucks, a newspaper, anything cold, anything that works properly and smells good).

Q: How can we contribute to your financial support? 

A: You can make a one time donation or commit to a monthly gift.  Click HERE for details.

Q: What else can we do to help you? 

A: Please pray with us and for us.  Eph. 6:10-20.  For the work that God has prepared, for the church in PNG and for the church here in Canada and in Muskoka.  For our family as we prepare to move overseas.  We’re hoping to start a monthly newsletter soon, and that will include more specific prayer requests. 

Q: I have more questions - can you answer them?

A: We can try. :) Some of our own questions don’t have answers yet! But please ask. :)

FAQ with JB part 2 coming soon!!