The PNG Times

The official blog of Steve Highlander. Stay up to date on what is happening in Papua New Guinea. I'll be sharing news, mission updates and random thoughts on God and life on the mission field.

Monday, April 21, 2014

The Clock Started Ticking Today

Monday, April 21, 2014 is a day that will live in infamy (at least for me).  Today we sent off the visa application and related paperwork for the move to PNG.  Literally the clock started ticking for our pending move.
 
I have had many changes in my life over the years, changes like: jobs, careers, spouses, geographical locations.  There was a time when everything that defined me was gone.  However I can truly say that I have yet to have the "life as you know it is about to change" experience that looms on the horizon for us.  We will be selling most of our possessions, leaving jobs and businesses, friends and family and moving to a totally different culture. 
 
People have started asking us "how do you feel about the move?'  I share the following from a perspective of what it means to follow the Lord. 
 
We are excited about this new (ad)venture in our lives.  We are not naïve enough to think there won't be faith issues and problems along the way.  A lot of things have to happen, including raising around $5000 in upfront money for the move.  This includes tickets, and things like medicals, physicals, immunizations, background checks, photos, etc.
 
Another issue is selling our stuff.  The rubber really meets the road when you start to divest of stuff you just knew you had to have 5 years (or more) ago.  One very strange feeling is to have no reason to go shopping.  Typically Brooke and I might make a trip to Wal Mart or, if we are in another town, we usually stop in at a local store or flea market. Now we look at each other and realize we have absolutely no need to buy anything - even if we wanted to.  Honestly as I began to go through things to sell or give away, I haven't had an significant sense of loss or sacrifice.  The thing I will miss the most (of my stuff) is my dog, Sam.  He's been a great friend for 8 years - we're buds.  :(
 
People say things like, "I just can't imagine leaving the USA and living in a developing country."  Leaving the USA is not really an issue for me or Brooke.  I love the USA and, with all its problems, still think it is the best country in the world, however when God calls there is also a grace for the change.  Frankly I am looking forward to living overseas.  I'm sure there are things I will miss, however the trade-off is the significance of the Lord's work.  There are so many needs in developing countries around the world. While we have needs here too, the felt needs are much more urgent in the areas of extreme poverty and hopelessness.  It takes a lot to make a difference in the USA, while every little thing you do can make a difference to someone overseas. 

We are looking forward to be able to concentrate on a single ministry.  I have almost always been a bi-vocational minister.  I have maintained my career in multi-media  areas while I was ministering.  First newspapers, then Cable TV and finally the Internet.  It is really hard at times to give multiple tasks your best.  About the time you want to pour into ministry the job calls, and vive versa.  Accepting the position with City mission will allow us to concentrate more fully on the ministry. 

When people understand the conditions in PNG they sometimes wonder if we shouldn't be scared to go.  Truthfully, the conditions are rough.  The climate is tropical (read that hot and humid) and poverty, violence and crime are significant social issues.  Throw in 67 active volcanoes, earthquakes, typhoons and the largest crocodiles in the world and it is not the safest place on earth.  However we are firmly convinced that if comfort, convenience, security and safety is our first concern we will never doing anything significant for the Lord.  I like to say that the Gospel was wrought in sacrifice and will be perpetuated in sacrifice.  Again we are not naïve, but we know that we have to trust the Lord no matter where we are - missionaries just have to trust a little more.

My biggest thing to overcome is my loathing of hassle.  Making the decisions, getting the paperwork in order, spending time and effort going through stuff and having garage sales, worrying about selling cars and  (possibly the house), are the things that occasionally pop into my mind as reason not to go.  However they are small things and very temporary - after all in a couple of months all those things will over and we will be in PNG. 

I encourage you, my friend to resist the urge to embrace comfort, convenience and security to embark on a spiritual quest of your own.  I have often said that God doesn't live on the edge, He lives 5 feet on the other side of the edge and if you want to see the power of God in significant and consistent ways, you need to be where He is.  We covet your prayers and appreciate any encouragement and support you many give.  May the Lord richly bless you as you seek and serve Him, Steve