Hannah made her drama debut in this year's Christmas Eve service.  Christopher and Darlene managed to score parts as well as Joseph and Mary.

After a cool swim in a mountain river these Papua New Guinean
boys lay on some warm rocks and dry off in the hot tropical sun.

We recently received this picture of the new Kodiak airplane being prayed over on the assembly line in Idaho. What a blessing to know that this aircraft, bound for mission work in PNG, is being covered in prayer right from the start.  By late next year we hope to be using this new tool for God's work in PNG.

A big "Thank You" has been offered to God for moving in the hearts of officials to grant Hannah her visa, pictured below.  With this little piece of paper stuck in Hannah's passport, Darlene and Hannah were able to return to Papua New Guinea this past Saturday.  As Darlene walked through airport security to rejoin her family she showed the joy we all felt from being reunited.  Life is starting to return to "normal" as we settle back into our home and work in Ukarumpa.   Christopher's mom will be home at last too this weekend after a fulfilling visit to this part of the world.  

This past Friday the 21st was our scheduled return flight date to Papua New Guinea.  Unfortunately, the paperwork has not yet come together for Hannah to legally enter PNG.  So, Darlene and Hannah have remained in Australia awaiting the completion of the visa process and are getting some special, (very quiet), bonding time in our absence.  I have returned with Nathan, Nehemiah and my Mom to our home in Ukarumpa, PNG.  We have been very busy getting Nathan back into school, cleaning house after this latest 2 month vacancy, preparing to start working again as a pilot and showing my Mom around our "home" here in Ukarumpa.  Absence does make the heart grow fonder.  Please pray that we keep our eyes on God and give Him Glory during this separation and for a speedy completion to the visa process for Hannah and safe travel for Darlene and Hannah back to us here in PNG. 

Last week Hannah traveled to Sydney to visit the U.S. Embassy where she applied for her U.S. passport.   She took her parents along and together they enjoyed plane and train rides, long walks, yummy meals out, and tours of an art gallery and the famous Opera House.    Hannah's passport was granted and returned to us in Cairns this week.   Please pray that her PNG Visa will be granted quickly so that we can return to PNG as scheduled on November 21.   Thank you for your part in seeing so many answers to prayers.

Our baby GIRL!   Little Hannah Joy Clark arrived Sunday, October 19.   She weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measures 21 inches long.   Hannah has been a delightful addition to our family and is enjoying cuddles from Nathan, Daddy, Granmommy and quite regular bonding times with mommy :).   Nehemiah giggles when he sees her awake and likes to point out her nose and eyes.    Thank you for your prayers for a safe delivery and healthy baby.    We are once again overwhelmed by God's goodness.

B.C. Snapshots
October 5, 2008

Our "Before Cairns, Australia" weeks were very full!   Christopher was doing flight and fuel coordinating at work.   On his last day of that assignment, Midget the Clown took his place, providing stress relief for the whole department!    Darlene thoroughly enjoyed teaching the Walk-Thru-The-Old Testament in Tok Pisin to a group of PNG ladies and the Tok Pisin S.S. classes.   Facilitating an ex-pat Ladies Bible study was the icing on the cake.    Nathan spent 8 weeks in Kindergarten at our beautiful Primary School campus on Center and Nehemiah turned into a very boyish toddler, leaving the baby world behind.    Thanks for your prayers for these activities.   God answered them in evident ways.   Perhaps our next photo journal will be a snapshot of the whole reason we're here in Cairns . . . Baby Clark!    Stay tuned and thanks for your prayers for the arrival of "Bub", as unborn babies are called in Australia.  

The travel has come and gone and we are now settling into our new home in Cairns, Australia for the next 8-10 weeks.  The last few days have been filled with learning, remembering and first-time experiences:  Learning our way around town while driving on the left side of the road at much faster speeds than we do in PNG and hearing and understanding Aussie accents; remembering how nice but expensive life is in the Western world; and experiencing visits to real, clean city parks, a downtown mall, a public beach, a city library and doctors' offices.  Nehemiah has enjoyed discovering trains, walk-in closets, carpet and full-length mirrors.  We're all feeling the shock of the different culture and the joy of new and old experiences alike.

On Thursday, September 11 our family will leave our PNG home and its work, school and ministries to head to Cairns, Australia for 10 weeks.   Praise God that our medical visas were granted and Lord willing, Baby Clark will be Aussie born in mid-October.   We plan to enjoy some beach and pool times as well as some remote work assignments and home schooling.   We greatly look forward to grandmommy Clark joining us for several weeks as we adjust to being a family of five.    Thank you for your prayers!