A Reflection on 2009

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  We have spent some time the past week reflecting on all the Lord has done for us in 2009.  We have faced many good times, as well as many difficult times.  Through them all, we have seen the Lord’s hand in our lives, and have experienced His peace in every situation.

We remember back to beginning the year in Missouri where we were serving with NTM at the Mission Training Center while Jessica received treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  We are still amazed with the Lord’s provision in this area as he provided a wonderful therapist who He used to help Jessica begin to heal.  He provided housing and the finances to cover many medical and travel expenses.

In March we began a “praise trip”—a testimony of God’s healing in our family.  We traveled from Missouri to Ohio where a couple whose children are missionaries in Indonesia graciously opened their basement apartment to us.  We then traveled to Pennsylvania, and then out to the west coast. We had so many encouraging visits with friends, family, and supporters all along the way, and were sorry time didn’t permit us to see everyone this time.  We arrived in WA the end of April where we spent time preparing for our return to PNG.  The Lord provided housing for several weeks with some dear friends of ours who have five kids near our kids’ ages.  This was a healing time for our whole family.  We were even able to leave the kids with this family and attend a Family Life Marriage Conference which was such an encouragement to us as a couple after the stressful year with Jessica’s sickness putting a strain on our marriage.  It was so good to reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness in our lives, and to recommit our marriage to Him.

For the remainder of our time in Washington some friends of ours opened their beautiful home on the bay to us.  We felt as if we were on a vacation with the ocean right outside our door.  Our yard was home to several bald eagles who we enjoyed watching each day.  Isaiah 40:31 often came to mind as we observed the eagles.  “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  The Lord was preparing our hearts to return to the place where our daughter was carjacked at gunpoint.  We knew he was clearly preparing the way, and He would take away the fears we had.

The beginning of July we traveled back to PNG with a special stop in Tokyo to visit a college friend of ours and her family whom we hadn’t seen in ten years.  We arrived at Lapilo on July 5 and took several weeks to get over jet lag and get settled into our house.  We were once again so thankful for our family’s overall smooth transition back into the country.

The end of July brought school starting for the kids, and Phil starting back into his ministry in the computer department.  The coming months brought many struggles and times of discouragement.  We are thankful for how the Lord brought us through and allowed this to be a growing time in our lives.

Mid-November, Phil, along with three other men from Lapilo, had the privilege to travel to Indonesia to finish constructing his sister, Joanna’s house in the tribe.  He thoroughly enjoyed his time and was so thankful for the opportunity to be a blessing to the single girls who are working hard and making such great progress in the language of the people they desire to soon be able to share the gospel message with.

The end of November through December brought many activities for the kids with Christmas programs and piano recitals, etc.  It was difficult as always to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas without our family, but the Lord provided some special times with co-workers during this time.  Kristi and Karina were able to go with a group of co-workers to the local hausik (hospital)the day after Christmas to sing carols, share the Christmas story, and give toys and clothes to all the patients in the children’s ward as well as snacks to the many family members and hospital staff.  This was a growing time for us as we looked at the living conditions in the hospital and realized how blessed we are to have nice clean hospitals in the States where we can receive quality treatment.  The children’s ward we visited had thirty beds in one room, and the adult ward had 45 patients(men and women) in one big room separated only by a half wall in some places.  Jessica was also able to visit this same hospital with the Student Council where they passed out toiletry items—soap, toothbrushes, and toilet paper which is not provided by the hospital and most patients have none of their own.

As we reflect on this year, we are grateful for all the Lord has taught us.  We are thankful for how the Lord used each of you in our lives to encourage us in our endeavor to return to the field.  Thank you for opening your homes, providing meals, and fellowship.  We thank you for standing with us through your prayers and financial gifts.  We do count it a privilege to be partnering with you to help reach the people of Papua New Guinea.

Phil and Kristi Jansma

Your Faithfulness

ICCM (International Conference on Computing and Missions)

Tomorrow, June 10,  I will be leaving the family for six days to attend a special tech conference in Indiana.  During this time,  I hope to find out about all the latest tools and computing technologies that missionaries from all over the world are using.  I hope this time can be profitable for learning and also for building friendship networks through which we can help each other further missions around the world.  Pray for Kristi as she holds the fort down here at home with all the many responsibilities.

You can find out more about the conference at ICCM

2009 Audio Presentation

As hard as we tried, we were not able to see every one of you who prays for us and supports us financially. Time did not allow us that opportunity during this quick trip out West. Although it would never be the same as coming to see you…I did realize yesterday, that I could upload the message from last week and at least you could listen to a little testimony/message about our ministry and what God has been teaching us. Let me know if it was helpful.

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Clamming Around!

Recently,  all our kids went clamming at a local beach  The kids sure had a blast…

With Mt. Baker as a beautiful backdrop…we began our fun.

This is all you can see “popping” out on the beach…

They definately don’t win any beauty prizes!

As you can tell by the pictures they thoroughly enjoyed teaming up to catch these very illusive clams.

even Kayla was getting the general idea…I think!

Finally, success at last! I think it was worth it!

Mall of America – Thank You

The ladies at Sunrise Women’s Ministry gave us a special donation towards an “event-to-remember” for our children. We want to thank them for their thoughtfulness. During this year, it has been especially comforting to know that “there is a reason” for everything that happens in our lives.

Family Pics