Its been a whirlwind of a weekend and partial week. We were given life changing events on Sunday afternoon. The song "Be Still My Soul" has been on my mind ever since. What we perceived to be our answer to prayer in bringing our family back together once again and the added blessing of helping in Brad Wells' ministry came to an abrupt halt. Seven months ago God opened the door wide for us to step through. The decision to make this journey across the seas was not made lightly. Many hours were spent in prayer, as well as counseling with other Godly men. We had peace.
We have spent almost $10,000 in preparation for this move. We had no doubts that this is what the Lord had in mind for us. Our pastor and church got behind us in support. Along with our church there were 14 other churches who decided to take us on for prayer support as well. Over 2,000 prayer cards were sent to praying families! Both of our families were supportive. Friends were supportive. House plans were being made. Visas were approved for everyone. School books were ordered and packed to last 4 years. Goods were being bought to help make life a little easier in a rough environment. But, in one instant, everything changed. Change can make one feel numb, bring tears of sadness, questions of why, and questioning if we did things right from the beginning. But, after the initial shock we choose to rejoice in Gods goodness! All we can say is that we know: God is great! God is good! God loves us! God is wonderful! God is looking out for us! God knows our circumstances! God is understanding! God never leaves us! God has something amazing for us!
On the first night of hearing of our game plan change I tried praying to the Lord. I would start the prayer by saying, "Dear Lord..." and pause and try to think of something to say. My words wouldn't come out. I didn't know quite what to ask of the Lord. After many attempts at starting a prayer and fumbling, I decided to just tell the Lord what I was thankful for and tell Him how many wonderful and great things there are in my life. It took me three hours to list and pray for everything that I am thankful for. I fell asleep thanking the Lord instead of being upset. I woke up only 4 hours later, but with a contented heart and I decided to continue my thankfulness.
By now you are probably wondering what happened. This past September Wes signed a three year, renewable contract, with a 6 month trial period where either party could break it. This is why we choose to be separated for four months, so Wes could get the feel of things and pass the most critical points of beginning a new job. Well, Wes was called into the company office and told they were going to dissolve his job due to the fact they did not think it was cost productive anymore to have a full time based pilot in the town of Hagen (where we would be living). This was the risk we took and they took since this company never had a full time pilot living in the country. It was all new to both parties being involved. Instead, they offered him a job in the same country, in the city of Port Moresby, slight pay increase, a better helicopter to fly, and a 28 day rotation (and 28 days off). In most cases pilots would be happy with this arrangement, but the purpose was for us to be a family again and be a help to Brad and his family. Hence, the heartbreak of the situation.
Wes did fly down to Port Moresby to have a look around. Even though we both were not feeling at peace with moving there. He wanted to make sure he could say he explored all his options. He was met at the airport by a local pastor and his wife, whom he had never met. They showed extreme kindness towards him and took him on a tour of the city for several hours. Wes says they were the sweetest couple he has ever met.
The major problem with living in the capital city is the price of living! Housing costs around 1,000 -1,500 us dollars per WEEK!!! Wow, thats like making 4 house payments in a month! The price of food is right up there with "yikes" as well. Vehicles are also outrageously priced. Plus, there is political unrest in the city and it makes for a dangerous situation. Port Moresby is known for its crime, murders, rapes, and lawlessness. Its also rated as one of the worst places to live in the world. Being that we are white skinned makes us more of a target for carjacking and thefts to other things. Its also not the best environment to raise your kids in. We believe God has shut the door due to absolutely no peace in our hearts.
When looking at this situation one can choose to be angry and mad at the Lord or you can be excited for whatever other adventure God has for you. We are excited! Sure, disappointed, but happy to do whatever God has for us. We are so thankful to the Lord for allowing us a taste of what we have been praying for all these years! God allowed and answered Wes' prayer to fly in Papua New Guinea! How amazing and cool is that? He had the opportunity to fly over the most beautiful, scenic landscapes that God has ever put together. He performed a couple of rescue flights. He was given the chance to give his own dad a medical flight as well! He helped in getting aerial footage of Brad's place and Dennis and Chad's places too. He gained some valuable flight hours in a foreign country. He was given long line instruction! He was a shining light for our Lord in a dark place. He kept a great testimony. He witnessed to everyone he came in contact with. He was a great helper in the few short months with Brads ministry. He loved teaching the Sunday school class. He enjoyed teaching in the Bible Institute. He looked forward to the outreach ministry every week. He enjoyed loving on his nephews and nieces. He is thankful to God for allowing his dream to come true.
Even though the door is shut, the door is never shut to be a witness wherever you go. You don't have to go overseas to tell others of Christ. Wes will continue to do what he has always done...he will keep telling others of Gods grace and love right in our own homeland. Yes, we declined the offer of this other job, which now makes us unemployed. The unemployed word is scary to most people, but oddly enough, I am not scared since I have already experienced this before with Wes 6 years ago! Our Lord has been preparing us for years with many different circumstances in our lives, and I believe with all my heart that He has something wonderful for us! God has said no for now, but you never know if in the future if the opportunity may come again.
Would you please continue to keep us in your prayers? We are asking the Lord what he wants us to do now. Where to go? Where to live? Where to work? Do we stay in Idaho and commute again? We don't have any answers right now, but we are looking forward to when God will reveal all the answers in due time. Please pray that I will remain patient in this upcoming process. Please pray for Wes' family as they too are in shock with the turn of events. We pray that God will send someone else to be a blessing to Brad and Deborah.
On the flip side my family and a few close friends are happy not to have to say good bye for so long now. LOL Please don't feel sorry for us. I'm glad God shut the door before we went any further with this move! There were many things that were going to have been finalized this week that involved money, so we are glad God protected us from spending it! Don't be afraid to ask questions or give me a hug (preferably the girls only, lol)! I'm not going to be offended if you want more details. Don't avoid me because you don't know what to say or you feel awkward, because I don't feel awkward! If I do cry its only because of all the emotions I have experienced these past few days (not because I'm sad)...and well, that's just how I usually respond to things anyways...I'm tenderhearted towards lots of things!
Thank you to all that read my blog and showed your support by reading it! It was encouraging knowing there are so many people out there who were interested in what we were doing! I will continue to update occasionally, since many people may be interested in where the next flying adventure begins with us! God bless ~ Tammy
P.S. Wes should be home soon!!
P.S.S If you did not receive a personal phone call from me if you are someone that is close to us, please don't feel offended! I ran out of cell phone minutes with all the talking in the last few days, and the price per minute is pathetic! Seek me out at church or call me if you have a T-mobile account...I can talk for free with mobile to mobile. LOL
