Prayer Update Nov 20, 2008 (Nov22/08)

Dear Prayer Partner,

 Thank you for your prayers.  Continue to intercede for the Solomon Islands.

 Geoffrey and Churie:  They are getting excited about coming to the Solomon's.  We went into the Labor office and their work permits are not yet signed by the Commissioner of Labor.  Pray for these to be released as we have to have this first before submitting the application for the resident permit.  They plan to arrive on December 9^th, traveling through Fiji.

  Jimmy and Mirriam Olifisau and their two young daughters, arrived on

November 16^th.   In my last letter I mentioned that it looked like they would be able to come on November 9^th.  Well Mirriam's passport had expired and they didn't have a passport for their daughters.  We have a former SI missionary, Rev. Andrew Moime, who is a PNG citizen.  He was in Port Moresby at the time and he felt he could possibly get the paperwork through.  It might have worked if the contacts he knew were available when he went into immigration.  Well, the immigration people were in a meeting and he faced another problem too in that Jimmy had overstayed his VISA.  Anyway it was really a miracle getting all this done to get them back as soon as we did.  I was able to introduce them to the assembly during the last service.  I wish they would have been in all the district assembly meetings and able to participate in the discussions.  Pray for them as they begin to start their ministry. 

 

 

 District Assembly and Meetings:

Here are a few of the highlights of the Meetings.

 ·        The services were well attended each evening.  Many responded to the challenge presented by Dr. Middendorf to say "Yes" in response to God's call.  

    ·        Baru Dirye, a long time friend from Papua New Guinea, came and challenged our people in the area of stewardship and prayer.

·        It is always a pleasure to have Harmon Schmelzenbach visit.  With his wealth of missionary experience growing up as an MK in Africa.  For those non-Nazarenes on my mailing list, Harmon's great grandfather with the same name, began the Nazarene work in the Kingdom of Swaziland in the Southern part of Africa.  Now Harmon is the 4^th generation Nazarene Missionary.  Those who know him, know that he is an excellent story teller.  He has an ability to connect with people.

Picture on left is taken during the service.  Pictured is Baru Dirye, Harmon Schmelzenbach, & Dr. Jesse Middendorf.  This was the opening service.

 

 

 

Pictured On the Right is the Children all wearing their 100th Anniversary T-Shirt.  "Out of many ONE, out of ONE, MANY.

 ·        Opening Sunday we had 124 partake of communion and there were a number of children also.     It was exciting seeing the youth and children so involved in the program this year.

  Here are some other photos from our meetings.  I trust you enjoy these.

 

Photo on Left: Three cakes that Nancy baked and decorated for the 100th anniversary Sunday, October 5th.

 

 

 Pictured on Left are two students coloring a teaching cloth which is a visual illustration of the 16 articles of faith of the Church of the Nazarene.  We took a white sheet and hemmed it to make it an A3 size and the students colored it with crayons and then we ironed it to melt the wax into the fabric to make it durable and something they can use as a teaching aid.

 

 

 

Even the children got in on some of the coloring.  We made 17 of these.  That way each church will have one to take home and use.

 

 

 The photos below are taken at the Baptism we had in the Lungga River.

We had the service at the bridge at the water's edge.  This is an early morning baptism as we left the church area at 7 a.m. to go to the river.   

·        We have reported 32 new members received this year by Profession of Faith.  On the down side we lost members so we reported as a district a net loss of one.

·        I'm not sure what happened but half of our churches did not attend and report this year.  When the pastors went to their church on the October 5^th Sunday, they returned confident that we would have an excellent turn out.  Evidently the travel expense to come to Honiara may have prevented some from attending.

·        Our water lasted until after the assembly ended.

·        There were no blackouts during the meetings. 

 Water Problems:

We ran out of water on Monday morning when they were preparing to return.  We have not had water since.  Pray for rain or for the city water supply to work.  I've connected the water supply to our tank attempting to fill it up.  For 2 nights now the water has not run at all during the night.  I'm not sure what the problem is.  The power has been out a lot in town which may be part of the problem.  On the positive side of things we are on the same feeder line with the hospital so our power stays on more than much of town.

 Zion Christian Academy:

The new toilet block is almost completed.  We have run out of cement and there is none available in town.

 Prayer is requested for Zion Christian Academy.  We are looking for a Principal and will need to hire some teachers for next year.  Pray for guidance for the selection of the right principal to lead the school.  ZCA is facing some issues and really would appreciate your prayers.

 Nancy's Class:

After the assembly the student's who were attending Nancy's Christian Education class really dropped off.  This past week there were only 2 students one day and 3 the other day who came to the class.

 Your Partner in His Ministry,

George Miller
PO Box 712 Honiara,
Islands
phone: (677) 25 109
Mobile: (677) 68920
george_nancy@reachone.com