June/July 2020
Dear Praying Friends,
To God be the Glory! So much to thank him for and not enough space, but there are a few praises. One main prayer for our welfare was for Father to supply food for our family during the Covid-19 Virus siege. The story was similar to the ravens coming to feed Elijah. By the middle of May, 4 flights—one from Kerema with some food and cash,—a second from Aiyura with fuel and hardware to finish some of the church building,—and a third and fourth out of Port Moresby with fuel, food, and other miscellaneous supplies. More than 1,000 pounds of food and about 2,000 pounds of gas/diesel. All this without leaving the jungle, thanks to the help of Dr. John Gray in Kerema, Matt Allen in Port Moresby, and several SIL friends in Ukarumpa! We haven’t missed any meals, and always had enough money to buy garden food at the local market.
The “awareness” given by the government officials in Kaintiba were not always forthcoming or true. Several new policemen were sent into Kaintiba to “keep” people in line and give weekly updates. At the first, our family was trying to help by passing on the current status and laws for the Gulf Province to the officials. They refused the help, stating they did not want anything that came from “FaceBook”. The fact of the matter was: we did not download it from “FaceBook”. What we did receive came directly from the “Controller” .....the Police Commissioner for all of Papua New Guinea! Oh well. At least we tried. Other “awareness” was off-the-wall: like, if a person dies from Covid-19, they will “glow”! ?? Wow. And that was from a Health Department Worker that had just returned with the latest information from Kerema. Ultimately, there was much fear put into the heart of the people, and it did the work it was intended. No one went anywhere on their normal nomadic treks for 3 months! The police put “road blocks” on all the foot paths leading in and out of Kaintiba! How many years of unravelled work of praying for peace in out community undone in a short few days. But, through much preaching the truth, praying, and giving the true “awareness” of several ways to prevent the sickness, things are finally back to “Kaintiba normal”. We do thank Father that His Wisdom trumps all the gain-sayings of the heathen. Thank you all for your prayer concerning our family as it relates to this Covid-19 out in the deep, dark, jungle. We are in continued prayer for you all there in the USA, also.
Just about a week ago, another unique thing happened. Since the new church building has a good place to study and read in quiet, I often resort there to do “ofPice” work on the porch. This veranda (as is called here) is situated facing the road, and is a good place to talk to people as they walk by, also. Well, one afternoon I was sitting there, and a snake was trying to vacate the church as I sat near the door. As our eyes met, the snake hesitated, not knowing if to leave the building completely, or return back inside. As I stood to slay the beast, it decided to return within again. Not wanting the serpent to leave without repentance, I pursued the creature. To no avail, it refused to repent, and soon there-after, it was slain! It measured over 4 feet in length! It was not a poisonous snake, but that it had the audacity to come into the church building without permission. My zeal boiled up to make it an example to all other snakes who would try to do such a thing!
My heart goes out to all our many friends in the USA who are suffering in their own ways due to the Covid-19 and riots in various places. We do pray often for you all to be strong and encourage yourselves in the promises of God’s Word. Please do not despair, for our peace cometh down from the Father of lights. He is our Stronghold in these trying times.
Christi’s Corner: I have now begun a new class of literacy students. This time 10 ladies are attending. Two from my former class wanted to go through again as they weren't reading well. It has been going good so far. We have completed 5 lessons. Pray for these ladies that they would grasp the ability to read. I try to impress on them that my main goal is that they can read God’s Word for themselves.
For His Glory,
Mark and Christi Helzerman
Hadassah,
Grace, Hope, Serenity, and Glory
E-mail: mhelzerman@gmail.com