May 2012 Prayer letter

Dear Pastor and Church,                                                                                                   May 2012

So…We’ve arrived! Well on the island of Nauru anyway.

April was a busy month, we were in many churches and driving over 5,000 miles and countless “see you later” and a few heart breaking “good bye’s for now”.  Our dear friend, mentor and big brother, Pastor Dan Inman has graduated to heaven. Also Alice Frink, a very Godly helpmeet to Norman Frink, her life was a testimony to my wife and many others. We also stopped to see my only remaining sister and it was sad to see her becoming so frail. My wife’s dear friend and visitation partner, Janette is also struggling physically. Cathy often commented that when making visits, Janette always knocked the door with authority (the King’s authority), please pray for these families.

This ministry of Standing In The Gap is filled with hello’s and goodbye’s (neither of which we are good at). Now we understand the missionary’s heart when they lose a loved one while they are on the field.

Now, the island of Nauru is not at all what we expected!! Our first Sunday ~ what an experience! I drove a 1983 Land Cruiser for the first time, “no big deal” you say. I had to drive on the left side of the road, the steering wheel on the right, shifter on the left, direction signal on the right. Not only that but pulling a very well built hay wagon with a roof and seats/church bus.  The only thing that was familiar was the clutch, brake, gas were in the right order but on the wrong side of the car. Let me tell you OLD HABITS DIE HARD!! Road wise there is no registration of vehicles, no insurance, no license required ~ you are supposed to be 16 years old but if you can see over the wheel and reach the pedals it’s okay. I caused much laughter when I asked about vehicle inspection (it was a dumb question). Food is expensive and not always available, especially fresh vegetables. For example, fresh eggs are cheap at $4.50 a dozen and a jar of Nescafe instant coffee is $14.00. The people seem generally “laid back” and most are very quick to smile! Island life is very different! Many homes do not have windows and some don’t have doors, not needed they don’t have anything to steal.

We were so glad the McGeorge’s were able to be with us for a few days to help us get acclimated to the island.

PRAYER NEEDS ~

~Our finances, we have commitments from various places that have not yet come in.

~McGeorge furlough time.

~The church here (International Baptist Church)

Thanks to Pastor Mike Leslie of Australia for arranging to pick us up at the airport and to his parents for the wonderful accommodations while waiting for our flight to Nauru. We have made some new friends.

“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:24

 Your missionary to missionaries,

Leo and Cathy Paine