The Siawi believers continue to need your prayers
Linda Krieg
As the weeks…and then the months have slide silently by, my guilt has built up. Sadly, it took this month’s voucher, showing the names of those who are standing faithfully with me financially to break me loose from my lack of communication. Sad because it took the financial giving to make me feel guilty enough to do something, while the weight of all the un-thanked faithful prayer warriors wasn’t enough before. Yet I am fully aware of the fact that the money that my flesh especially appreciates isn’t any more of a blessing and help than the faithful prayers of God’s saints. Not only that, but from my own prayer life I know that updates on what the Lord is doing generates more of my prayers, as I uphold others before the Throne, so if I long for your prayers, then I’d better give you an update. While news from Siawi is scarce to the point of almost non-existence, here it is.
The primary reason for no Siawi news is that they are still without a working shortwave radio. That means that the village has no method of communication with the outside world. While the cell phone mania that exists in PNG has reached Siawi so that there are a number of cell phones in the village, there are no cell towers that reach their area. The phones can only be used for taking photos (a popular reason for owning one), unless someone is out in a coastal town where there is coverage.
There had been hope that a missionary couple who used to work in the neighboring people group would be able to go into Siawi while visiting the area, with the hopes of taking along the repaired Siawi radio and getting it set up and working. Stymied by the fact that the radio isn’t yet repaired and with little time for the side trip to Siawi, they did make plans to borrow a spare radio in Wewak to be loaned to the Siawi village.
Evidently, word was sent to Siawi somehow that they should go to Sinow during the time the couple is there. They plan to give them clear instructions on how to set up the radio and are hoping that this will provide a temporary solution to the problem. That should work, as long as the problem isn’t with the antenna, the 12 volt battery necessary for power, or the solar panel system that charges that battery. Time will tell. That couple should be in the neighboring tribal village right now or have already moved on to another tribe, where they will be helping get some work done to help missionaries to that group. Your prayers for that situation would be very much appreciated. Your brothers and sisters in Siawi are depending on them.
What I wouldn’t give to have one of my faithful Siawi brothers working with me on the Romans Bible lessons. Even without that help, lesson 15 (of 16 lessons) is progressing well. Each main lesson is actually divided into at least 2 parts, each one covering a day’s teaching material. The first half of lesson 15 is completed, so while the end isn’t in sight, I’m pretty sure it is just around a distant corner. Pray that I’ll be a faithful steward of my time and keep moving forward on this.
Of course, if my Siawi brother were here, he’d be frustrated with how many things distract me from making progress. Not only is my own laziness a factor, but my 73 year old body constantly seems to provide income for the medical establishment. Nothing major or life-threatening-not even particularly painful, instead just time consuming.
Lately the problem has been the possible expiration of the life expectancy of my dental implant. Back in 1998, it was wonderful to be able to have a large portion of the cost of the implant covered by my mission insurance policy, because without it, the thinning of my lower jaw bone provided danger of its breaking.
Lamentably, Medicare doesn’t agree that danger of breakage would be sufficient reason for their coverage dealing with the problems that are now occurring-infection underneath the implant. Instead, any expense to remove the implant would come out of my pocket, even though not doing so may constitute actual danger of infection in the bone and spread of the infection throughout my body. And yes, like you, I was amazed to hear that from the oral surgeon and definitely checked further. But, he was right. Medicare won’t touch his bill, so neither will my supplemental insurance. (But if I am hospitalized, they will pick up that tab.)
Are you waiting for the prayer request on this one? It’s simple: please pray that the antibiotic I’m on now will wipe out the pocket of infection that is present at this time and that it won’t come back. And if that isn’t what the Lord has for me, that He’ll give me wisdom to know it is time to raid some retirement funds to deal with the problem and accept the unpleasant reality of no lower denture. (Vanity of vanities, ALL is vanity, especially when it comes to a woman’s countenance. <sigh>)
As far as the 73 year old body is concerned, there’s no news on the neuropathy caused by the vitamin B6 toxicity. While I’ve been trying to limit the high-vitamin B6 foods, the neuropathy (judging by the burning in my legs) is getting worse, not better. So far, it isn’t affecting my balance for walking (which it definitely does for some people), so I’m very thankful for that. Next month, blood tests are scheduled to check further on this. The Gabapentin for the dizziness and tingling sensations continues its battle with me over keeping the hard fought for weight loss from reattaching itself.
As I think of what’s really important in this life, I hate to be constantly whining about health concerns. One joyous day, I’ll be leaving this decaying body, laying it aside for the one the Lord has prepared for me. Until that time comes, I’m so blessed to be living here at NTM Homes, enjoying the lovely weather and all the seasonal fruits and vegetables that are available in abundance. In this cruise mecca of the USA, other people may spend their money on cruises, but I’m sparing no expense when it comes to gorgeous southern peaches right now, since cherry season seems to be about past. After 28 years in PNG without a single ripe peach, what a wonderful treat!
Ha! I moved from health to food, neither of which has any eternal importance! Thank you for praying about those things which DO have importance, the faithful walk of your Siawi brothers and sisters, as they face temptations and the lies of Satan that their parents and grandparents lived by. They need those Romans lessons, so pray that I’ll not only finish them, but that they will be clear and understandable for the church elders use in lesson preparation and teaching. Pray that they’ll delve into God’s Word that they have in their own language, letting the Holy Spirit use it to change their lives and strengthen their hearts.
THANK YOU-whether you are a prayer supporter or a financial supporter or both (if you are in the financial category, you’d better be both)! You are a vital part of the Siawi team, even though you can’t really “feel” it. How many times did Paul tell those standing with him how important to him they were? Just as Paul longed for news from his various church friends, I’d love to hear from you about what God is doing in your life and in the life of your church family.
Together, serving the God of all creation,
Linda
Linda_Krieg(at)ntm.org
232 Brazil Court, Sanford, FL 32771
Ethnos360 Hdqts: 312 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771
