I’m the atypical preacher’s kid who spent 15 years of her young life at the same church in the same town. When I left for college, I only moved a mere four hours away and came back to my parents’ house often on the weekends and on breaks. That town, that church, that house was always home. God moving me over 8,000 miles away changed everything.
In the process of learning the language, the culture, the people that I was going to be living and working with, I realized I was utterly inadequate. I realized on a daily basis just how much I didn’t know. It was challenging in a way I had never experienced before. In short, it was like I was completely torn down just to be reminded that it wasn’t about me. That God’s will is so much bigger than I am. That it is not me, but what he can do through me that is important. Only then, around this familiar and yet so profound a lesson, did I feel like I was being put back together again. Papua New Guinea started to feel like home.
Coming back to the States has been exciting. I love seeing my family and friends. I love seeing the children that I started ministering to over six years ago about to graduate high school. I love the conveniences of the first world. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss my other home. I miss the slower pace of life. I miss my students. I miss the people that I live and work with. I love the ministry of Bible translation that I get to be a part of in Papua New Guinea. And while it’s challenging to have pieces of my heart on either side of the world, the experience ultimately reminds me that God is building another home for me. No matter the ache I feel for one place or another, my heart also aches for my heavenly home. “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” Philippians 3:20 (NLT)
I can’t return to Papua New Guinea until I reach 100% of the monthly ministry budget Wycliffe has prepared for me. Please pray for the right partners to color the rest of the books on the shelf so that I may return to Papua New Guinea. For more information, you can email me or click the following link to my Wycliffe ministry page- https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/armstrongpng