Healthy Baby Boy

We returned to the US late last year for the birth of baby Myers #2. Declan James Myers was born December 30, 2020. What a perfect way to end a crazy year! Mom and baby have been perfectly healthy and without complications! Thank you Jesus! Declan is a chunky little guy and has been in the 95th percentile for weight at every appointment so far. Addy has been adjusting so well to having a little brother at home and is such a big helper. She loves playing “mommy” with her little baby dolls and copying everything that she sees Laura do with Declan (which is pretty comical at times). We truly are blessed and thankful for this new addition to our family and his laughter and smiles.

Delay in Return to PNG

It has been a crazy past 3 months with a new baby and we apologize for not getting an update out sooner. We had been planning on an April 6th departure back to Papua New Guinea but things have not gone as smoothly as we planned. We are still waiting on Declan’s visa in order for us to purchase tickets and return to PNG. There has also been a spike in Covid cases in PNG where, up to this point, it has been almost non-existent. Because of these things and in talking with our leadership team, we are now planning on returning to PNG at the beginning of May. Although we are bummed about the delay, we trust in the Lord’s perfect timing and we know He will open the doors and allow us to return when the time is right.

Keeping Busy While Waiting

This has been a strange season for us, as I am sure it has been for many of you. It has been a very refreshing time for us, a time of rest as we prepare to return to the grind of learning the language and culture of the Lembena People. We have been in a stage of waiting and trying to make the most of the time we have been given. During this time we have been able to share about our ministry at most of our supporting churches, at small groups and at a few Christian Schools. Now that we’ve been given another month in Washington, we would love to get together with you! Reach out to us and we’ll schedule a time!

We have also kept busy with spending time with family. Addy has absolutely loved being near both sets of grandparents and many of her aunts, uncles and cousins. She loves that there is pretty much always someone around to talk with and play with her.

News from Lembena

Our two sets of co-workers, the Hughes and Fergusons, have been in Lembena faithfully plugging away at the language and culture and deepening their relationships with the people there. Our village has been unaffected by the virus and we pray it remains this way. As we are in contact with our co-workers about the happenings of the village, we are constantly reminded about how in need of the gospel the people are. There is so much darkness present there, and all the Lembena people know to turn to are their spirits and rituals that they hope will bring them material possessions and power, and health. We long to be back there with them and to finish learning this language so we can share with them the truth and hope of the Gospel. Our friends in the village are often asking when we will come back and while it is frustrating being stuck here, we know that God is in control and we can trust His timing.

Prayer and Praise

• Pray that we are able to return quickly and that God opens the door for travel in time when many countries are restricting travel. Also, pray that we would use our remaining time in the US wisely.
• Praise for a safe delivery and healthy baby.
• Pray for endurance for our teammates as they continue on in language study.
• Praise that we’ve heard Declan’s visa is approved and should arrive in the mail any day!
• Pray for PNG as the pandemic is really ramping up there. Pray that the already-fragile healthcare system would be able to handle all of the cases and that the resources they need (medications, PPE, vaccines) would be provided.