~ The Island ~

We have been on the island of Nauru for 2 months and a few days. We have learned names, still have a few children's names that we get mixed up like Steve Austin, Pecos, and B Johnson, but it gets easier each week. We have found our way around ~ how do you get lost on an island of approximately 8 square miles?   The heat is something we are getting used to - sort of!!

Life is simple and slow on the island, the people are friendly but generally not too open. The children that come on Sunday morning listen intently  and answer with raised eyebrows, an island habit. Some learn their memory verse and some even remember the Bible story from the week before. They enjoy helping to serve the adults their juice drink after service. Most rather climb the side of the wagon than to climb the stairs.  Kids are kids all over the world.

Teen Time on Friday night went well, some would say the numbers aren't too impressive BUT the boys that attended all responded that they are not sure of their salvation ~ a real matter of prayer!!  They enjoyed the devotion, snacks and games ~ we were thankful that Bro. Junior came along to help.

We are learning to trust the LORD more and more and that is what its all about. We ask you pray concerning our next stop for 'Standing In The Gap'.

Soul ~ Sand ~ Salt

Yesterday we took a few hours of 'us' time. We went to a spot under a palm

tree and enjoyed the sand and salt.  After walking and picking

up sea shells we were talking about how did two

little Vermont kids end up on the island of NAURU!

The LORD ~ that is the answer. HE gets all the glory!

We are so thankful that HE has allowed us to be a part of this amazing

ministry ~ Standing In The Gap ~ furlough missionary relief.

It is a blessing not only for us but also for the missionary who can leave the

work and rest assured it will be taken care of.

~~~~~~

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth to all generations.



Friend Day

International Baptist Church

Nauru ~ Central Pacific

Friend Day

June 17, 2012

The Lord blessed the efforts of the members of International Baptist Church in Nauru. We had 17 visitors with a total of 51 people present. Some of our visitors were there for the first time and others were returning visitors.  The children on the "Wagon BUS" ministry also got involved ~ two of the girls brought 2 NEW visitors each. We are Praising the LORD for a wonderful day.

God's provisions.

God's Provisions....

Banana Tree in the yard!

Ham, $17.70 a kilo ~ that is approximately

$8.00 per pound.

********************************

Sunday, June 17 will be FRIEND DAY at

International Baptist Church

Please pray that the LORD would send visitors

and that they would respond to the preaching!

Pictures

Church Sign

Church 'bus' ~ pulled by a Toyota Land Cruiser 

Frangipani (Plumeria)

Our protectors ~ Brutus and Samson.
Samson, under the table, is the BOSS!

Looking down on the 'church'.
Attached to the house.

Pulpit

Finally figured out how to reset the camera so we could
post pictures to the blog.

We are adjusting to island life,
services have been going well.
The roads are not in very good repair so we
don't have a choice but to go slow and easy ~ it
is better for the people as well as the vehicles.
The 'bus' is the classroom for the children.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

We have arrived safely in Nauru ~ a bit of a culture shock but other than that all is well. We had a bit of a rest in Brisbane Australia before we flew on to Nauru. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Leo has learned to start the generator since the power has gone off three times since our arrival, whoever told us there aren't any spiders here is wrong, AND we are dealing with the heat and humidity etc. We have enjoyed the Thursday night Bible study and Teen Night on Friday night.

A lesson learned!!

When a missionary has a death of a loved one and they are on the field ~ it is a difficult time! Standing In The Gap can fill a need during that time if the missionary needs to go home. 

Now we are in the place of the missionary but the LORD allowed us to say our goodbyes before we left for Nauru and we will see our friend again. Pastor Emeritus Dan Inman, of Lincoln Nebraska is in heaven with the LORD. We will miss him but heaven is rejoicing. Our prayers go with his wife, Jeanne and his family.