Romans 15:13

I pray that God, the source of hope, 

will fill you completely with joy and peace 

because you trust in him. 

Then you will overflow with confident hope 
 through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

As I was reading emails today I came across this verse from Mom's in Prayer suggesting to pray it for a teacher or staff member at the school your child attends. While I did that I decided I need that confident hope also.  So I am praying it for me this week.  

Our house went on the market for sale last Tuesday. As someone said "it is bittersweet."  The next day we received news from PNG. The administrator there informed us that there has been a further delay to the issuing of my nursing registration. They have been informed of a new requirement for the SIL clinic to be licensed before the nursing council will issue any registrations. The paper work for this has been submitted but they have no idea how long it will take to be processed. My nursing registration is required before the work permits and visas. So along with the prayer need to be at 100% partnership for finances, all paper work needs to be processed quickly. As I continue to be filled with joy and peace because I trust in God. I believe in  God who works miracles and wants His Words spread through nations.  May He be glorified.

 

"Walk with Me"

Last week I was encouraged to walk with God. A speaker came and while he was praying for people took my arm, walked with me and instructed me to walk with God.  When I look at Bible verses that read "walk with," some said faithfully, or in obedience.  So each day I am trying to walk faithfully in obedience with God.

Abraham and Noah were described as "walked faithfully with God." Both obeyed what God told them to do.  Abraham leaving his country and Noah building an ark. So obedience is the key.  What do I obey?  Well I am fortunate to have the Bible to read in a language I understand.  I even have many versions in the same language to chose from.  The Bible gives me truths to live by.  So I am excited to be part of the ministry of  Wycliffe bringing those truths through translation of the Bible to the 2000 language groups who have not written languages.

In the mean time you can follow our blog and newsletters as the Pettygrove' s Progress continues and we walk with God.  We want to be right where God wants us as we serve as missionaries in the states and in Papua New Guinea.  We would love to share more with you about our ministry on a personally level, Bible study or church.  Just contact us.

Joshua 22:5  
But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

"something to encourage you"

The other night I was able to have dinner with a friend who is praying for us and our missionary journey.  She said "I have been praying that there will be something each day to encourage you."  So last week along with discouraging news I had a few "encouraging moments." One of them was the previous blog about my lap top.  I also made a new friend through email who signed up to pray for us.  A friend called and made arrangements to host a wedding shower for Kristol. Another friend signed up to be a prayer partner. We had a opportunity to share in a small group Psalms 117 and Bible translation.  A new financial partner joined us and one partner increased their amount. So I am very thankful for my friends who are praying and for a God who answers prayer.

Praise the LORD, all nations!
Glorify Him, all peoples!

For His faithful love to us is great;
the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever.
Hallelujah!

laptop screen

Today started with my husband fixing my laptop.  I am thankful to God who enabled him to do it and so is he.  A connection came disconnected when it accidentally slide off my car seat.  My screen did not light up.  Now it does and I can see what I am doing.

I completed paper work to renew our passports.  They would expire next year and we were advised to renew them now.  There is much paper work to be completed to enter another country.  I am not ever sure of everything.  The paper work process and our monthly budget will determine when we can go to Papua New Guinea.  So if you would like to pray for us please pray for 100% of our monthly support, my nursing registration, and our work permits and visas, to be processed quickly.   

So until we can go through the door that is open for us we are looking for opportunities to share about the exciting world of Bible translation, seeing what God does when people receive His Word in a language that speaks to their heart.  It is like a laptop screen lighting up for the first time!

Remember

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


These are two of my favorite verses.  I remember these often. Especially now as we wonder where our life is going. I wonder what people hold onto when they do not have the Word of God in their life.  In America we are privileged to have many types of Bibles to read and understand what God is saying to us. It is not that way for 350 million people in the world. Some may have no Bible, others have it in a language not clear to them.

God has called us to go to Papua New Guinea.  Our plan is to leave the first of August so we can start our orientation there August 8th.  However a lot of things need to come together prior to that. The first item is we have to be fully funded to go.  Wycliffe is a faith based organization.  We are looking for individuals who will come along side us and be part of our ministry by supporting us financially.  This needs to be done consistently(monthly, quarterly, annually).  This is our pay check as we give our skills of nursing and telephone work to assist translators. We can not go until we get the gifts.  As soon as we do we can buy our plane tickets!  Please feel free to contact us with question.

Thanking God for an answer to prayer, Plus

Jay and I have been visiting pastors and asking to share in churches around the area. We are offering to share about Wycliffe and our ministry in a regular church service, Sunday school, small group or where ever.  We want the opportunity to share about the need for Bibles to the Bibleless communities in the world. There are around 2000 languages without any of the Bible in their own heart language.  This affects approximately 350 million people where translation projects have not begun. Heart language is the language spoken in your home, the one closest to the heart with the most understanding for a person.
So one Pastor took us up on our offer and asked us to share in the church this Sunday.  While it is my Sunday to work,  I thought, I have coworkers who will switch with me.  The next day I worked I called my usual co worker who switches with me.  She said she was not able to.  Then someone suggested a friend who recently stopped working full time but was still willing to work some. I called her and she said she was unable.  I asked several more coworkers who said they would check. I was offering to work a 12 hour weekday if they could just work my 8 hour Sunday. I kept praying and asked others to pray also.  Then the next day at work my friend called me back and said she would work for me and I do not have to switch days. ....so I get an extra day off .....a plus answer to prayer! God is more then good!!!

Where? Part two?

First of all Where have I been?  I mean when I started this blog I had the intention of blogging more frequently.....at the least once a week.  My idea is to keep my friends informed on where we are in our ministry.  Plus I have other back ground information that I will slowly add.  I guess all I can say is I have been thinking about what to blog.  In the mean time writing a newsletter, finishing and mailing wedding invitations, visiting my children, going to softball and baseball games.
So on with the blog.....

Ukarumpa is in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is northeast of Australia. It occupies eastern half of island of New Guinea and numerous offshore island.  The capital is Port Moresby.  It is a diverse land from high mountains to grasslands, from rain forests to swamps and from very warm temperatures on the coast to equatorial glaciers in some high mountains.The people are just diverse in their culture and languages. Over 800 languages are spoken in this Pacific country.  Around 300 languages have no Bible and might not even have a written form of language.  Translation continues in many languages there. On the 18th of this month the Maiwa people of Milne Bay Province are celebrating the dedication of a New Testament in their language. So the work of translation continues and we are excited to be part of it.  Thank you for joining us in is adventure.