June 2026
Dear Praying Friends,
This is the last day of June, marking the completion of 6 months that we have been waiting to return to PNG. As was mentioned in our last update, my (Mark’s) visa was approved and in hand. We are still waiting for Christi’s, Serenity’s and Glory’s visas to be signed by the Immigration Manager. According to the report we have heard, their applications were approved weeks ago. We will not speculate the reason why it has not progressed to the desk of the Manager, but just to say we must trust that Father has a plan in it all. In the meantime, Father has kept us busy at our home Church area. We have been staying with a dear widow that has been such a help to us in various ways. Our temporary housing situation will come to a close though, in about a month, so now we are in prayer of where we will be staying during the months of August and September. Besides this, we earnestly pray that my “dependent’s” visas will be in hand so we can return back to PNG fully as a family.
Now, in order to maintain my current visa status (while we wait), I have begun the planning of a quick trip with a young single man. This trip will not only have the purpose of my own visa status, but will give me the opportunity to go to the Immigration Office in PNG to enquire more on my wife’s visa and 2 daughter’s visa. We will also do other logistical things concerning the ministry out in our jungle ministry (Kaintiba, Gulf Province). This will entail getting supplies and machinery staged and flown into Kaintiba in preparation for the return of our whole family later this year. It will also give me an opportunity to check-up on the Church family and encourage them. It has been already 14+ months since I have been at my post for the cause of Christ! We praise the Lord for our dear friend Pastor Bishop who has expressed willingness to help in the purchase of our tickets. There are other undisclosed (additional) expenses for those who would like to participate in that. You can contact me directly for more specifics.
Whenever I speak to the Church members in Kaintiba on the phone, they are nearly begging us to be with them. Though we too desire to be in PNG, I must understand that this furlough has become multi-faceted. Had we returned at the time we had set, Hadassah may not have gotten married, and Grace would probably not be engaged to be married to Kyle Gray. We have also had many other ministry opportunities with our home Church friends. Please pray for a single man by the name of Paul who has begun to attend with us at my invitation. He shows much interest in learning more, but I am still unclear of any profession of faith on his part. We are still developing a friendship, and he seems legitimately keen on learning more of the Bible way of life. Please pray that he would be led of the Holy Spirit to understand more of the things of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christi’s Corner: We have been keeping busy while we wait for our visas. Serenity and Glory are continuing their schoolwork to make up for the time we spent traveling earlier this year. We have also been assisting a friend with her move.
We were also blessed to meet with Silas and Hadassah just before they left for Suriname. They have arrived safely and are settling in. It brings me great joy to see Hadassah so excited to start this new chapter. As parents, there is no greater blessing than seeing our children follow God’s will. While we miss seeing our grandchildren often, we know that, eternally, it is worth it.
Additionally, Grace is counting down the days until her wedding. We are truly blessed to have such godly sons-in-law.
PRAYER
- Visas to be Completed
- Fruit for our labors and witnessing
- Tabitha and Caleb on the PNG island called Normanby
- Our adult children to make wise choices in life
- For God to get all the glory in this waiting time
- Preacher Tiwias as he continues in our place in Kaintiba, and Truth Baptist Church (Tok Tru Baptis Sios)
For His Glory,
Mark and Christi Helzerman
Hope, Serenity, and Glory
E-mail: mhelzerman@gmail.com