June 2022
Dear Praying Friends,
We must always, with thanksgiving, praise our Father, Who daily loadeth us with many blessings and provisions. Thanks to those who have been directed to send us monies, and consider us in prayer. As we know, this Christian life is one of spiritual needs as well as physical challenges. Hand in hand, we seek our Lord to use us to magnify His name through us, and that souls would be drawn unto the Saviour. We desire Christ to open up the understanding of these dear souls as we continue to break up the fallow ground. It is a great privilege to represent Heaven in this dark corner of this sinful world. We pray Father will be glorified in our feeble work.
One of the highlights this past 2 months was the arrival of new water tanks: one for the church building, and one to replace our old metal tank. The tanks had been brought to Kerema in March, but the helicopter could not do the staging until the 13th of April. It had to be done later in the day, the time rain could hinder the flight from being accomplished. After staging a fuel drum in Kaintiba, the SIL helicopter pilot flew the 20 minutes down to Kerema to get the tanks. Nearly the time he left Kerema to return to Kaintiba, heavy rain started to fall in Kaintiba. When the pilot sent a message via text that he was en route, we jumped into prayer mode. First I gathered the family for a brief prayer, then I ran quickly to the men and gathered them for prayer with about 5 minutes to spare. Just as we heard the engine of the helicopter with the 2 (1,300 gallon) tanks slung underneath, the rain stopped, and a window opened for the pilot to bring his load directly in to be staged! After his other work to prep the helicopter to return back to Aiyura, he took off........the rain started again shortly after. Father worked the timing perfectly. Only He knows best in these situations to handle all hinderances.
These tanks are now positioned and in use. Our old rusting tank still can hold water, and has been placed at the house of Preacher Tiwias. The new tank for the church building has turned into a ministry of supplying the community with fresh rain water for drinking. We hope to enact this promise from Christ: (Mathew 10:42) “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” There are many little children coming every day to get water. Thank you, members at Treasure Valley Baptist Church in Meridian, Idaho, for your generous gift to purchase it.
Please pray for the Christian maturity of our members, and for their full attention to the Word of our Lord. One encouraging thing to me that was brought out from one young man: He came to help us as we were putting the metal roof on the new house of Preacher Tiwias. That in itself was a blessing, but it was during a school hour. I asked him why he left school to help us. He said he was asked/forced to participate in the pagan dance for the (Lutheran) school play. He had quoted 2 passages of Scripture to the Head Master, but was berated. Instead of following the crowd, he opted to just leave. We pray he will continue to stay strong, no matter what consequence he may face in the coming days.
Christi’s Corner: To those who prayed for Jevila, I thank you. She is much improved. She played volleyball with us today as we had our PE class for homeschooling.
I taught on “The Opposers” at my last ladies meeting. The biggest opposer being our own self. As an illustration of opposing our self, we played a tug of war game which was met with lots of laughs. I believe it illustrated the point well, though. There were 22 in attendance counting myself.
We are back to our homeschool schedule which takes up a majority of my daily schedule. I am thankful to be able to homeschool. Living here, I see the value or education even greater than I would have just being in the states. We take it for granted in the states. Mama’s who can’t read can’t read the Bible for themselves or their children. What a loss!!
For His Glory,
Mark and Christi Helzerman
Hadassah,
Grace, Hope, Serenity, and Glory
E-mail: mhelzerman@gmail.com