July 2019
Dear Praying Friends,
This newsletter is a report on the last 3 months of our time in the jungle. We planned to stay out this long so as to be able to bring the whole family out to Port Moresby for holiday. We pray all the flights coming and going will be successful and as scheduled. This time out will be busy, but hopefully, a break from all the pressure of our current state of affairs.
FEAR: The last week of April, Jorim Kimas, who lives in the hillside behind our house, became very angry (again) because his child would not stop crying (at 9:00p). Our family was already settled in bed for the night, when loud crashing came from the top of our metal roof. I went out to investigate as stones were flying past my head, finding that Jorim was bombarding our house with baseball size stones. So neighbours heard my cry, and came to our rescue. Come to find out, he said his son would not stop crying because our family had supposably “talked behind his back.” It was once again a miracle how God has preserved us alive for the work He has called us to! Not one stone injured us or damaged to the house.
By the end of the following week, many leaders of the Kaintiba community called for Jorim to a court, and demanding him to leave. Since Jorim is not from Kaintiba, they recommended he return to his place and wait for another ministry opportunity to come his way. The current status of Jorim Kimas is, although he is now in the process of moving (July 4), he is not willing to go quietly. As I am typing this newsletter, he is dismantling the parsonage, due to “all the hard work that HE put into it.” This will in turn mean that the church family will have to rebuild a new house for the new pastor. Pray for God to do a miracle in the heart of this man, for his heart is a stone against God.
JOY: As you may already know, Tabitha, Caleb, and Cassia live in Kerema. Although it is not extremely far, If we flew to see them, it may take a week or more to await another flight to return us to Kaintiba. In May, an opportunity arose where I was able to catch a flight with a pilot to Kerema and return within the hour to Kaintiba. It worked out that I was able to joyfully hold my dear grandchild, Cassia, upon her 7 month birth-date! This flight corresponded with the return of Hadassah, who had been able to spend about 2 weeks with them in Kerema.
FRUIT: Beyond the joy of holding a grandchild is to see fruit from our time here in Kaintiba. After many years of waiting, two woman came to be baptized on Sunday, June 23. They had been saved for quite awhile, but the fear of the shame that comes with fully committing themselves, held them back from this simple act of obedience. Please pray for Jenny (a widow with many children) and Delma as they continue in their Christian faith. It is not easy for these that have never known the light of the glorious Gospel, to break free of all the “baggage” that comes with them. Only Christ and the fervent work of the Spirit of the Living God can lead them on day by day. Pray for us, also, that we will be able to continue until the return of our Great Lord! Our goal remains the same: point souls to the Saviour of the world.
“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforteth us by the coming of Titus;” Yes, it was a great joy that Titus was able to come back to visit us for about 5 weeks. He arrived the first week of June and we have enjoyed his fellowship so immensely. This is another “fruit” that has come back to bless us. We pray Titus will continue to grow into the man God would have him to be.
Christi’s Corner: It was with a heart full of joy that I was able to assist Mark with the baptism. Since they both were ladies Mark asked me to be with him in the water. I also have a desire to help these ladies learn to read. Pray with me about this. To not have them able to read God’s Word is a great burden on my heart.
Having Titus here with us this past month has been another joy to my heart! I am so thankful that he is serving the Lord! I am also thankful for the new memories we have with him! He likes to take me out on dates and I like that a lot!
For His Glory,
Mark and Christi Helzerman
Hadassah,
Grace, Hope, Serenity, and Glory
E-mail: mhelzerman@gmail.com