We have known that this day was coming for a long time. 12+ years ago we started home schooling Stephen in Malaumanda and now he is a few short weeks away from graduating from Numonohi Christian Academy here in Papua New Guinea. We can look back and see the Lord’s faithfulness over the years. This is especially true as we currently walk together with him through the transition that will take him from life here as a missionary kid to that of a young man in preparation to serve God as a missionary pilot. This will be a long road but as we already stated, God is Faithful!
Even with graduation looming, we still have more ‘normal’ ministry roles to fill here. 3-4 weeks ago we started a new orientation class here at Lapilo. It only has 2 couples in it but all of the same course work and meetings. As it stands right now we will finish up a few days before graduation. This isn’t ideal but we’ll make it work.
In March we went in to Malaumanda as a family and were able to get a cement foundation poured for a new radio shack. We didn’t have the time to complete the building so next week I will be heading back to Malaumanda for 5 nights, together with two other guys, to build the house, install the solar system, radio, and antenna. I’m sure that I’ll get some time to do a bit of teaching as well. The church does seem to hand me the Sunday sermon slot every time I show up. I am looking forward to getting back in there one last time before our summer travels.
We do want to thank all of you who pray so faithfully for us and give towards our ministry here. We are humbled by the part that you play in our lives. God’s richest blessings to you all.
In Him,
Eric and Judith, Stephen, Daniel and Timothy
Prayer and Praise
- Praise that we all have our health and strength.
- Pray for Eric as he is balancing an orientation program with a trip into Malaumanda and then making plans for the summer.
- Praise that the boys are doing well in school. All of their grades are good which makes life at the Hedeen household a LOT easier.
- Pray that we will find a car for us to drive for the 6-7 weeks that we are in the States. Our list of items to replace while back in the US is growing as well.
- Pray for the logistics of getting Stephen ready for starting at Moody Aviation. More on that next month.
- Praise that we have our tickets purchased for our trip back to the US. We’ll arrive at the end of May and spend most of our time in Oregon.
- Pray as we work through the details for our trip back to PNG in July. We need to get back in time for the boys to start school and for Judith and me to start into the next group of orientees.
- Pray. We would love to visit family up in Canada during the summer. Covid restrictions still prevent us from going up there as a family so please pray that we can find a workaround.
- Pray for the details related to the Malaumanda New Testament. It is ready to go to the printer but that step has proven to be more difficult than I thought it would be.
- Pray for the Malaumanda church and the leadership in particular. We are Praying that the existing leaders will grow and that the Lord will raise up additional leaders to strengthen and expand the church.