October 2021
Dear Praying Friends,
How are things for you today? We pray you all are doing well in Christ and striving for righteousness. In the midst of all the craziness that is growing more intense, we have a great consolation in our Saviour. His Word is true and never fails. While the majority of the population of the world are in much fear and turmoil, all who are in Christ have such a great confidence that God has all things under control. I do know from personal experience that His Grace is sufficient….often thinking of the times we were in great distress in Papua New Guinea. Father gave us so much care, and hard to put it all in words.
Another 9,000+ miles since our last newsletter. Wow! And how God has given us safety and a great running vehicle. The air-conditioning works, the tires are strong, the engine doesn’t leak any oil, the transmission is shifting good, and we have a small trailer to carry our clothes and other travel supplies. So much to be thankful for, and the list still continues to grow concerning great things He has done.
As I started this letter, we had just started our drive back north from Texas. From Indiana we drove to Houston, Texas to Shady Acres Baptist Church. Returning to this church brought back memories from my boyhood days when my father (Ron Helzerman) drove a group of people down to Mexico in the early ’80’s. We stopped in there on our trip, and a hurricane came through and uprooted many trees and destroyed many structures. Though I was quite young, I still remembered those days. Now, 37 years later we are part of the mission program and extended ministry of Shady Acres. From Houston, we drove over to Florida (via New Iberia, Louisiana/Temple Baptist) to Smyrna Baptist in Pensacola, Victory Baptist in Milton, and Believers Bible Baptist in Panama City. All of these church families have been supporting our family financially and in prayer for many years. While we were based in Pensacola, Florida, our family was able to have part in the Pensacola Christian Servicemen’s Center, directed by James Dare…husband to my sister Christy. I was even able to teach a Bible study on the NAS Military Base.
From Florida, we traveled back to Texas via Coushatta, Louisiana/Magnolia Baptist, to Grace Baptist in Alice, Texas, Grace Baptist in Portland, Texas and Bible Baptist in Odem, Texas. After spending a short time in this area, we traveled to Wild Peach Baptist in Brazoria area of Texas, and then on to Bowie, Texas….via Christi’s cousin’s house near Austin. In these trips, we try to see as many friends and family as time will allow, and it is always easy when a relative lives on the route we are taking. This last week we spent in Bowie at the Baptist Bible Translators Institute. It was a time of reminiscing of the year Christi and I attended this linguistic training school in 2005/06 school year. It is always a joy to see our good friends there. On the Sunday of 10 October, we attended First Baptist Church of Cottondale, Texas and our supporting church in Decatur…Immanuel Baptist.
Please continue to pray for our safety and all the preparation to return to Papua New Guinea in January. The restrictions have changed again….some for the better, yet one aspect for the worst. We need wisdom to negotiate with the door keepers along the path to PNG. We seek to bring Father honor as we stand fast in the Word of God and His requirements for us.
Christi’s Corner: While in PNG the girls kept saying when we get to the states we need to do such and such. I would tell them to write it down and we would see what we would be able to do. This past month the Lord allowed us to go to the Alamo as well as tour the USS Lexington both in Texas. Another thing they wanted to do was ride horses. This week at BBTI they have had the privilege of riding horses….with cowgirl boots and hats! I am so thankful for the little ways God shows our girls his loving care in the small things in life!
We still have more time to get a few more things fun in as we travel out west soon and look forward to seeing States we haven’t been in yet! This upcoming month much traveling is in the schedule. Please pray for traveling mercies.
For His Glory,
Mark and Christi Helzerman
Hadassah,
Grace, Hope, Serenity, and Glory
E-mail: mhelzerman@gmail.com