November 2025
Dear Praying Friends,
These last 10 weeks have just flown by so quickly. We do thank our Father for the care He has shown us. Safety in our travels, great meetings, new prayer partners, and so many hand-fulls-on-purpose along our journey. Our family was able to meet so many new Brethren and we do cherish the friendship of all who labor with us in the Work of the Lord. It amazes me often to think how wonderful it is to continue in this path that has been set for us. We are looking forward to seeing what He has in store for us in the near future.
Mid-September we finished our time in Florida, ending with a Missions Conference at Victory Baptist Church (October 1-5). We were encouraged during that 4 day meeting, and our time spent with the James Dare family (Mark’s sister Christy and brother-in-law JamesII) was a blessing. From there, we drove to Spring, Texas for a night to prepare for our flight to Alaska. We thank the Lord for our friends, the Josh Selvidge family, for they allowed us to leave our car with them and leave back several suitcases and bags that could not be taken to Alaska. We landed in Alaska on October 7.
We arrived in Fairbanks a few days early before the Missions Conference at Bible Baptist Church for the obvious reason to spend some quality time with our son Titus, his wife Abigail and their little baby girl….who happens to be our granddaughter! She is a cute kid, and a joy to hold. We praise the Lord that her parents are working to train her up in the ways of the Lord. The meeting was a blessing, and our 3 daughters (Hadassah, Grace and Hope) also joined us for about 8 days. They had flown up from their house area near Buffalo, New York. That was a small family reunion, since 6 of our 8 children were present + a daughter-in-law and a grandchild.
In the course of our time in Alaska, we were able to present the work in 3 new churches. One of those pastors remarked that they would be considering supporting our family. We definitely appreciate how the Lord has allowed us to be allowed to partner with churches in their mission programs, and work in our simple little way out in a simple out-station in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. In the course of time, we also flew up to Barrow, Alaska and enjoyed 6 days with our faithful supporters and dear friends the Serinos. So, from Barrow to Kenai, and several towns in between, we were able to see many friends of yesteryear and made new friends along the way.
Since the 4th of November, we have been back in Texas. It was a blessing to be with 12 different Churches already, and one more before we drive north to our home Church in Holley, New York. We have been based at Baptist Bible Translators Institute these past 16 days. We always enjoy coming back here to see the new students and reminisce of our days of training here 20 years ago. I was able to go hunting for white-tail deer, and shot one small doe. It garnered about 25LBS of venison, and it was very tasty!
As I close this short update, we continue to pray for our visas to be renewed. There are a few more documents we just recently were made aware of to submit for the application process to continue. Lord willing, we should have all that compiled in a week or so. At least the application has been “lodged”, and in the hands of those who authorize them. We do appreciate all who continue to pray with us concerning this, and hope for others to join in….
Christi’s Corner: Selah Rose was a joy and I was thrilled to able to “grandma” her! I got to hold her in church a few times and even took her out and put her to sleep! Also it was very joyous to see her parents as well! 😀
One of the students here at BBTI, Cassie Haverkamp, has been hanging out with us. (She came to PNG in January and helped us with our VBS.)
When I was a student here at BBTI, I did not take the first class of the day, World Survey, because I had young children at the time. I have enjoyed attending this class this time, and getting to hear about different countries, people groups and BBTI missionaries.
Looking forward to getting back to NY and wrapping up things for this furlough. I have mixed emotions as we leave three girls behind.
For His Glory,
Mark and Christi Helzerman
Serenity, and Glory
(Hadassh, Grace, and Hope are living in the USA now)
E-mail: mhelzerman@gmail.com