OceaniaNazarene

Meier -A fight we can't win

Erin Meier — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:32:00 +0000

2-3 months ago, before I went to the US, I found out that Ambane, a little kid with leukemia (ALL), was no longer in remission and his cancer was back. I explained, as best I could to his loving family that his cancer was back and that we didn't have any other medicines to offer him. It seemed like his mom understand what I was saying, even if he didn't.

After being gone for 2 months, Ambane and his mom came to my door a few days ago. Ambane had changed so much in a short period of time, his belly was swollen, he was weak, he no longer had a smile on his face, he looked sick and in pain. I knew just looking at him that we were losing the fight, that his cancer was winning and we weren't going to win this thing. After examining him, his mom started talking and then started crying. She was sure that when I got back I would be able to save her son. She knew I had given him medicine before that had seemingly cured him and was hoping and praying that when I got back, I would be able to do the same.

My heart was breaking. Breaking for Ambane, who for the past year and a half I watched fight his cancer and get to the point of regaining a normal life, and now won't be able to play with his brothers, won't be able to go to school and won't live for more than a month. Breaking for his mom, who supports her family by selling produce at the market and would faithfully bring him to get his chemo each week, who was losing her son and yet didn't want to or couldn't accept it. Breaking for the other Ambanes out there who I am treating for their cancer and are fighting a losing battle.

As my heart breaks, I can't help but cry out to the only Physician who can save Ambane and can save the other cancer patients, not through medicine, but through His love poured out to us through Jesus. Please pray with me.

Meier -Happy kids

Erin Meier — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 18:16:00 +0000

Each morning this week I was greeted by these smiling faces on the pediatric ward. Many kids are scared of doctors and so they cry and scream when I get close to them, but thankfully, not this week.

The most common reasons for admission are diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition. Skin, muscle and bone infections are also quite common. This week, I had a kid with an infection in his brain that our surgeons drained and he is now moving the left side of his body. Another boy had a bad tooth infection that spread to his face. Thankfully, Sheena, our dentist, was able to remove the tooth and the swelling and infection went down in just a few days. It is a blessing to be able to help the kids get better and send them home to their families.

Miller - September 24, 2015

George — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 08:32:00 +0000

Update on Nancy:

Nancy is continually improving. She now has an oxygen concentrator, thanks to our son Gary for bringing it. She is on oxygen all the time. When she was in Manila and we traveled down the mountain where the Oxygen level is higher her pO2 level was normal. So she did not need O2 in the low lands until she walked and exerted herself. Continue to pray for her and her strength.

About Micah:

When I last wrote a prayer letter our grand daughter Micah was taken to the hospital with bleeding. They put her through a lot of tests and could not find the problem so we thank you so much for your prayers and the Lord's healing touch. The doctors do not know where the blood was coming from but she is totally all right.

Our ministry in Philippine Islands is coming to an end.

We have had a truly wonderful experience here. It has been so awesome serving here. We felt God's call to come to Philippine Nazarene College and we have felt the love and support of those here. It is so wonderful passing through the campus and having students and staff come and greet us. I went into the Kindergarten class this week to talk with the teacher and the students stood up and said "Pastor George" and then they came and huddled around me and hugged me and many said, "Pastor George I love you". We have definitely felt the love from everyone.

With Nancy's illness it is so wonderful as different students have come by and cooked our meals. Of course they eat with us too. When you are a people person that definitely demonstrates love and it has been awesome.

We still have classes we're teaching in the college (George - Old Testament Survey and Nancy - English Plus [This is an English remedial class for those with poor English skills]) and a religious education class in the grade 6 and these classes will be going on until the day we are ready to depart the campus. So be in prayer for us that all my students' assignments will be submitted on time because 2 days after finals we will be leaving and I don't want straggling papers that I need to grade and submit via email from the USA.

We will be departing PNC on 14th of October. We will attend a Missionary/leadership Conference and then will be departing Manila in route to the USA on the 29th of October. Pray for Nancy but this conference will be at sea level and should be more conducive to her health.

George's Birthday.

My birthday is the 10th of October and that is the magic date (65th) or the beginning of our retirement. I will celebrate this in Philippines so we have a lot of parties coming up immediately before we leave. I'm preaching my last sermon here in the College Church on Oct. 11th (With birthday dinner following service - I and the pastor's husband's birthday is on the 10th also). My last college chapel where I will be preaching will be on October 6. October 7 will be the last High School chapel, and the elementary chapels. During the last college chapel of the semester Oct 8th, the college president will preach but we will say our farewells and share in communion with the students and staff. On Friday, Oct 9th we will have cake and noodles for the students and staff to celebrate my birthday.

Our Final Home Assignment.

If you want us to share on your district or in your church please notify us.
To see our current (confirmed) schedule check out our blog: http://georgeandnancymiller.blogspot.com {Our schedule is posted on our home information.} We would love to visit with you if we are in your part of the woods during our travels.
We have a need for a vehicle.
We have the need for a home. We can rent or purchase.
We will start our services in November 2015, and as long as we have health and the passion we will be woking for the Kingdom (and Grand Children which is also Kingdom work). We will be touring for the church, in an official deputation capacity for one year, before actual retirement at 66 years old.
Join us in prayer as we find another niche where we can serve our Master.

HIS Servants in the vineyard,

George & Nancy Miller

Philippine Nazarene College

Meier -8 years

Erin Meier — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 16:39:00 +0000

When I got on the plane to return to Papua New Guinea after my shoulder surgery, I realized it was exactly 8 years ago that I first got on a plane to come to PNG. I remember being a bit scared 8 years ago as I boarded that plane, leaving behind all I had known and having no idea what I would find, who I would meet or how God would use me in PNG.

8 years ago everything was new: the people, the language, the smells, food, the medicine I was there to practice, the missionaries I was serving alongside. Now 8 years later, so much is familiar: the people have names and are friends; I speak the language; I have grown accustomed to the smells and know when to avoid smelling; I enjoy eating all kinds of foods; I have a good handle on the diseases I am treating and now serve as the Medical Services Director of our hospital; and the missionaries are now my family.

Despite growing familiar with many things during these past 8 years, there are still challenges to serving in PNG. The PNG culture where fighting and domestic violence is accepted and doesn't seem to end is a continual challenge. The lack of diagnostic ability and medical resources always challenges and stretches my medical skills.

I came here 8 years ago because I wanted to use my gifts as a doctor as a way to be able to love and share Christ with the people of PNG, and that still holds true today. My work isn't just about being a good doctor and curing or healing the patients in front of me, but about loving and serving and being Christ and sharing that with others. Sometimes in the busyness it can be easy to just see this as a job and forget the real reason I am there, but I want that to always be the reason in front of me for what I do, even now 8 years later.

I want to continue to run with perseverance the race marked out for me here in PNG and want to be faithful to the call He has placed on my life, and ask you would pray for me to do just that.

Myers - Prayer Request!

Jeffrey, Susan, Jessica & Ethan Myers — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:02:00 +0000

Prayer Request from Kudjip Nazarene Mission Station - Papua New Guinea:

Please be praying for the effects of a tribal fight taking place in the area north of the Nazarene Hospital in Jiwaka Province. A local leader’s son was killed at Banz yesterday which is a town about 15 minutes away. We are told the man started some disturbance at the market there. He was attacked by a group of people and died as a result of those injuries. Today many young men from the Kuma Tribe (one of the tribes neighboring the Mission Station) blocked a bridge into the area. Many of our Hospital staff that live in the Banz area, could not come to work today because of this. We are now hearing that many of the Kuma men went up to the Banz market and surrounding area. They have burned down buildings and houses in that area. Many of our staff and Nazarene church members are trapped there with this fighting - feeling that their own properties and lives are threatened. There is a lot of potential for the fight to grow and spread and affect many others as both sides feel wronged. The Nazarene Hospital itself currently remains unaffected directly, but this will affect some of our staff and surrounding community.

In many ways this is really an extension of the prayers we have already been praying for our community. Many of our project workers are from the Kuma tribe. Many recently gave their life to Christ this past weekend at a spiritual retreat the hospital ran for them. We had even told them at their retreat that often immediately after coming to Christ there will be some big temptation. It has certainly turned out that way. The Nazarene Hospital has this week had some community tension over land issues, and now today is a time many of them were having to decide to stay home and be a comfort to a grieving family… or go join a tribal fight that will only build destruction and death. Satan knows there are no winners in these fights – both sides lose. Please pray for our community leaders, these young men, police/authorities, etc.. to do the right thing. Pray for the protection of innocent life and property.

Scott Dooley - Hospital Administrator

Harmon Schmelzenbach - Field Strategy Coordinator

Myers - Rain Update

Jeffrey, Susan, Jessica & Ethan Myers — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 11:58:00 +0000

As I reported a couple of blogs ago PNG is facing a very severe drought and we continue to be in a great need of rain all across PNG. But this past Wednesday the heavens opened up and here on Kudjip station and around the area near us we received a very heavy rain for an hour or so. We received very close to seven tenths of an inch of rain. In one rain we received almost as much as we had in our previous three days of rain. Our water tanks received much needed rain, the dust was kept at bay for 24 hours or so and I was able to skip a watering of my vegetable plants. NICE! We thank God for the rain and for the rain that will be coming. We appreciate also your prayers for the rain to fall across PNG, thank you!

Myers - RAIN!

Jeffrey, Susan, Jessica & Ethan Myers — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 12:08:00 +0000

August 30th rain gauge amount.

A couple of posts or so ago we were sharing with you concerning the drought that Papua New Guinea is experiencing. We thank the Lord for the rain that has fallen! Here at Nazarene Hospital we have had some rain three days in a row. Actually, thanks to my handy dandy rain guage that my dad sent me a few years ago, these past three days have netted us seven tenths of an inch of rain. In the grand scope of things not tons, but it puts water in our water tanks, fills my rain barrel so that I can keep my vegetable plants watered and it keeps the dust down! And after about three months with next to no rain, all rain is wonderful and gratefully appreciated. Papua New Guinea as a whole needs rain badly. Melanesia Nazarene Bible College, just 15 minutes away has had less rain than we have had here at NH. So, we thank the Lord for the rain and ask you to keep praying that the Lord will continue to send rain upon PNG!

Myers - The Quiz Season is Underway!

Jeffrey, Susan, Jessica & Ethan Myers — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 11:48:00 +0000

The kids are at it again! They have had their quiz portions for about 3 months working on memorization and getting ready for the 2016 quiz season. They recently started organized practices with their quiz coach, Uncle Bill McCoy and this past Saturday they had a practice quiz. It was an opportunity to hear and answer questions from Galatians and get the feel of jumping again. It also allowed for getting a feel for where they are at in learning the material. They did a great job!

This will be Ethan's third time quizzing and next summer they are planning to attend Q2016 in the States. It will be my first time to see one of my kids quiz, as we will be in the States on Home Assignment and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity! Both Ethan and Jessica were part of the Q2012 team which Susan alone was able to attend. That year the team placed 6th in the District Experienced tournament. At Q2014 the kids managed to move up three slots to Third place at the District Experienced level!

We are very proud of our kids and thrilled to have Uncle Bill and Aunt Marsha along with Dr. Erin Meier working so diligently to coach them!! Please be praying for them, especially that the Lord will speak to their hearts as they study and learn His Word!

Myers - It's That Time of Year Again!

Jeffrey, Susan, Jessica & Ethan Myers — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 10:05:00 +0000

It happens once a year, and for our kids here at Kudjip station, it has come, THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Ethan and the rest of the MKs started school today. Ethan was up early got a workout in and was ready to head off to school at about 7:50. Pray for Ethan and Alison Dooley as this is their Senior year of High School. Please pray that they will have a good year filled with fun and good memories and pray for them as they will also be looking ahead to college, which is coming up quickly on their horizon. You can pray for their moms and dads also. For us Ethan will be the child who leaves and will officially make us "empty nesters." For the Dooleys Alison will be the first child to leave the nest, and in each situation there will be challenges. But we thank the Lord for our kids and know that He has them in the palm of His hand just as He has each one of us!

Teacher Cilla and the MKs hard at work on the first day of school!

Myers - Fire Takes Out 3 National Workers Homes

Jeffrey, Susan, Jessica & Ethan Myers — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 14:57:00 +0000

About 9 AM Friday morning, a fire broke out in a staff residence on Kudjip Station in Papua New Guinea. There were no injuries.

The cause of the fire is unknown. The fire started in one unit of a triplex, and quickly spread to the other two units. Two small temporary buildings were also destroyed. The units are all occupied by staff members of Nazarene Hospital. No one was in any of the units; the children were all in school, the adults apparently at work.

All three families lost most of their possessions, though quick-acting neighbors and passers-by were able to get some items out of the second and third units before they caught fire. Many hospital staff members, neighbors, passers-by and missionaries rushed to the scene intending to help, but there was little that could be done.

The fire is not believed to be related to the current drought in PNG. The building had a steel roof. Kudjip station has had several minor grass fires in the past weeks, due to the dry conditions, but the house fire appeared to have erupted within the house. No other buildings were threatened.

The house was in an area known as “Airstrip”, an allusion to the runway that was located there in the early days of the mission work at Kudjip. It is occupied primarily by hospital staff. No missionary homes are located in that area.

Co-workers, neighbors and missionaries have come to the aid of the three families. Nazarene Health Ministries has provided them with alternative housing and emergency funds. There have been donations of clothing, food, money, and other essentials.

The residents of the units include 2 CHWs (Community Health Workers, similar to a Certified Nurse Aid in the US), and the Medical Records officer. All are long-term members of the staff.

Kudjip Station is the location of Nazarene Hospital, Nazarene College of Nursing, and the offices of the Melanesia/South Pacific Field of the Church of the Nazarene.
Article written by DR Andy Bennett / Photos by Jeff

This photo was taken by Dr. Scott Dooley

Miller - Update on Nancy

George — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 07:14:00 +0000

20 August 2015,

Today we went to the doctor's office for the follow-up visit. I have been extra busy with keeping up with the chaplain's work plus doing more around the house to help Nancy. Fortunately we have a young woman, Loise, who has really helped with the house work and even in fixing the meals. Other students are so willing to assist too.

Nancy is gaining her strength but is on Oxygen most of the time. When we went to Manila, at sea level, and she was setting in the air conditioned vehicle her oxygen level was good. She has lost a lot of weight, mostly attributed to fluid. The edema in her legs has been largely resolved.

We have purchased a portable Oxygen concentrator from the USA and currently we are making arrangements for our son Gary to visit the Philippines and hand carry the concentrator. She will need oxygen when she flies on the airplane.

Our grand daughter Micah, 8 months old, was bleeding. (Micah is Geoff and Churie's youngest.) Last week when they discovered it in her diaper she was taken to ER and was examined and released. The problem came back this week, and on Monday she was admitted to Children's hospital. Today they did a scope exam on her and couldn't find anything, so she has now been dismissed, but please continue to pray for her and peace for her parents during this time.

George & Nancy Miller

Philippine Nazarene College
Pico Road, La Trinidad

Benguet 2601, Philippines

Phone: +63 908 373 6493

blog: http://georgeandnancymiller.blogspot.com

Web: http://oceanianazarene.org

Myers - Snow Could Be Next ... !

Jeffrey, Susan, Jessica & Ethan Myers — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:55:00 +0000

I know, living in a tropical paradise, not to far from the equator, for most people is a reason to rejoice. I also know, that some times the joke is made that we are suffering for Jesus in the tropical paradise called Papua New Guinea. When January comes around and some of you are looking at 0 degrees on the thermometer and we sit basking in 80 degrees with gentle breezes, it is hard to feel sorry for us, I understand, really, I do!

But currently, in our tropical paradise, we are suffering one of the most severe droughts in our 14 years of service here. We have had only one decent rain in the last 6 weeks. Some of our National friends have made comments as well missionaries, about the fact, their water tanks are about out and for our National friends, that water for their gardens is a struggle to fined. In the PNG culture, the garden is very instrumental to survival.

Last week our temperatures were in the 40s with the lowest I saw, being 42 degrees. It has been years since I have seen a 40 degree temperature and that was one night at 48 degrees. For people, who are used to low 60 degree temperatures overnight, to be in the low 40s is just downright cold! One man from the Enga Province, that I talked with, who is from a higher elevation than Kudjip's 5200 feet, said they had frost that did damage to their gardens. When the skies are clear of clouds the temperatures fall. We thank the Lord the last 2 night have been at normal overnight temperatures!

The lack of rain also influences our Hydro Electric system. The river that supplies the water to our Hydro system is very low and no longer flows over the dam. To keep water in the river we have had to open one of the gates a bit
to let water pass through. We would appreciate your prayers for rain to fall again in the highlands of PNG. God is faithful and our trust is in Him.

Updated on the 20th: Received a text from one of DSes here in the Highlands asking for me to send out a prayer request. Many churches and people are being very severely effected by the lack of rain and he report that on his district they have also experienced frost. It is getting harder for our nationals to find water for daily needs and to keep their gardens alive. Please keep lifting PNG up in prayer. I read from Psalms 24 this morning and verses one and 2 state,

The river bed that you see is usually cover with
water to some degree.

" The earth is the Lords and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Our Heavenly Father knows our needs!

Thank You for your prayers!

Meier -Pray for rain

Erin Meier — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:38:00 +0000

Kudjip needs rain. For the past 2+ months, there has been very little rainfall at Kudjip. To many in the US, this might be pretty normal, but at Kudjip, we are used to having rain almost everyday. The rain is what supplies us with water. Each house has water tanks, that the rain water fills, and then is used for everything - flushing toilets, drinking, doing dishes, laundry and showering. Not only does rain fill water tanks, it also helps gardens to grow. In a culture, where most people survive off of what they can grow in their garden, no rain means no food, both now and in the future, as folks are unable to plant.

On a mission station with missionaries and nationals and a hospital, no rain is even more worrisome. If the tanks are dry, it makes it hard to run the hospital, to wash our hands, to clean and sterilize instruments, for patients to use the restroom and wash their hands, to have drinking water, etc. Our station has a well system, which many of our houses are soley dependent on, but this is being depleted, as everyone is tapping into it. The station is powered by our hydro power, but with no rain, the river level has decreased, making it harder to generate the power we need.

So bottom line, Kudjip needs rain. Please pray.

Myers - PNGs National Pastor's Conference

Jeffrey, Susan, Jessica & Ethan Myers — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 19:10:00 +0000

This past week (August 3-7) the 10th National Pastor's Conference took place in Port Morseby, Papua New Guinea. The Pastors Conference is held every four years on one of the 12 PNG Nazarene Districts around the country, it varies each time. I was able to be there for 3 days as a fellow Elder and to

Praying around the alter following APRD Mark Louw's sermon.

encourage as the Melanesia/South Pacific Field Church Development Coordinator. It was an encouragement to me to see several pastor friends whom I have not seen for a while due to various reasons and in some cases it is the remoteness of where they pastor. Nearly 700 pastors converged on Port Morseby for a week long time of learning, growing and allowing the Lord to lead and speak to their hearts, it was awesome to see.
Our Asia Pacific Regional Director, Rev. Mark Louw, preached two very powerful messages on

DS Ako Arua and the worship team for the Conference

Holiness and Mission and both nights the alters were full of pastors who were wanting to be even more like their Lord and Savior. God is moving in their lives. Rev. Kafoa and Aggie Muaror, DS of Fiji, shared with our pastors on marriage and family issues. There was laughter and tears as they shared from their experience and as they were able to connect with their Melanesian brothers and sisters.

Rev. Kafoa & Aggie Muaror sharing about marriage and family.

The fair grounds where the pastors conference was held was a short walk from the National Parliment Building in Papua New Guinea's Capitol City. Nearly 700 pastors marched on Parliment to lift up their leaders and country in prayer, praying that God would be honored and glorified in their country's government.
It was a great time of worship, fellowship and growing in the Lord. The Lord was lifted up and pastors were empowered and refreshed in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please, keep lifting our pastors up in prayer before the Lord.

Meier -Rock Wall Construction

Erin Meier — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 00:12:00 +0000

The kids have enjoyed watching America Ninja Warrior and so a discussion about an obstacle course turned into the idea of wanting to construct a rock wall for the kids to climb up. So last weekend the kids, Megan and my left hand worked on constructing a rock wall structure for the kids to play on. Once it was finished, the kids have enjoyed climbing on the wall, even Madison enjoyed trying to climb up the wall.

Meier -A mother's love

Erin Meier — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 20:58:00 +0000

Just hours before delivery, an ultrasound revealed that her baby wasn't going to be okay, her baby had developed early one, without a brain. A few hours later, her baby was born and the love between a mother and her baby was just as evident in her as it was in any of the other new moms. She held her baby, feeding her, loving her and caring for her like everyone else. The fact that her baby wasn't going to live very long didn't matter. Each day when I would see them, I would ask how she was doing and the mom or grandma would smile and say everything was well, and it was well. Lineth was blessed with a baby, and she loved that baby and trusted God to see her through each day, and I know He will.

I wish my love could come that easy, without any reservations, hesitations, expectation or desire of being loved in return. I wish I could have God's love, just like this mother showed, love for each of us no matter what our response to that love is, and be willing to give it all for someone else, just like God gave Jesus to us. For me, this is a picture to remember.

Miller - Prayer for Nancy

George — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 06:51:00 +0000

23 July 2015

Nancy was admitted yesterday to the St Louis University Hospital in Baguio City, Philippines. We certainly ask you to remember her in prayer. My prayer is that she will fully recover soon, but at least fully recover before our home assignment begins end Oct 2015.

Her problem: Her legs were swollen and we went to the physician who ordered an Ultrasound. The sonogram showed veinous reflux (Blood is not flowing properly up the veins in the legs). They are assessing the cause of this. They are concerned about blood clots developing but there is currently no evidence of this. After coming here they discovered a heart murmur and they did echocardiogram to assess this. Results should be in the morning.

We will update you from time to time. If you have Facebook, connect with me (George M Miller) through that social media. You might see updates from me or others posting something. Her swelling [edema] is slowly improving.

We are receiving excellent care in the hospital here. The hospital staff are great. Our PNC staff, students, and friends have been so supportive even coming to the hospital, serving as watchman for Nancy so I can return to the college and teach my classes.

I am sorry because during this time I have not been on-line much.

George & Nancy Miller

Philippine Nazarene College
Pico Road, La Trinidad

Benguet 2601, Philippines

Phone: +63 908 373 6493

blog: http://georgeandnancymiller.blogspot.com

Web: http://oceanianazarene.org

Meier -Remembering days of old and looking forward to the Mountains ahead

Erin Meier — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 20:37:00 +0000

For years the Operating Theatre (OT) at Kudjip has been a place of healing. Men, women and children have come and willingly placed their lives and the lives of those they love into the hands of the men and women working in the OT. From the surgeon who does the operation, to the anesthesia men and women who provide the meds so the patients aren't feeling pain and aren't moving during the surgery, to the scrub nurses who assist the surgeons, to the central supply workers who make sure there are always clean instruments and drapes for surgery each plays a part in the healing that have occurred.

We took the time last week to celebrate and remember how God has used the building, the old OT in the old hospital, and the people who have worked in the building, to bring healing both physically and spiritually to many lives. We heard stories about the first patient Dr. Jim operated on 30 yrs ago, who have being in a coma for 3 days, woke up, gave his life to the Lord, and is now a pastor in a remote village; how people in provinces far from here, hear the name of Nazarene Church and have stories to share about how their lives were saved at Nazarene Hospital in the operating theatre; and how that OT is the reason we have 2 surgeons now, instead of one, and more.

Margaret Mugang shared history of the Church of the Nazarene and the different mission hospitals that the Church has started and how it came here. She then shared part of her story, starting in the OT at 15 yo, 5 years before Jim came, and learned a lot through the years about scrubbing, and running an OT, which she continues to do for us now 35 years later. Jim shared about his journey, about coming here as a medical student and getting to help a few volunteer surgeons who would come for a couple days a week to do surgery, but knowing there was no surgeon here full time. He knew he was called to be a missionary physician, just didn't know what kind, and didn't really like surgery, but many advised him to do surgery, if he was going somewhere without one, and so he trained in surgery and has become known throughout the country for the lives he has touched. It was one year ago today, that he, himself, was under the knife having open-heart surgery, and he didn't know if he would be back to serve again, but

God sustained him and brought him back and his son also. Ben also shared about growing up as a boy and watching his dad do surgery, how he told God he didn't want to be a missionary and definitely didn't want to be a surgeon, and how one night, 2 years ago, he was standing outside the old OT, looking in at the room, the place where his dad performed countless surgeries, and God called him to return to PNG to serve and carry on the work of his father. There wasn't a dry eye in the place.

The work continues, the old OT building is being torn down to be used by the church, and in it's place, a new road and administration building will go, to carry on the work of the hospital. In the new hospital, the two new OTs continue to be a place of healing for many who come, and now more than ever, with 2 surgeons working. As people come and go, God continues to raise up more staff, both missionary and national alike to continue to the work that He started here almost 50 years ago through Nazarene Hospital.

Jim shared the story of Caleb, who at 80+ years when he was allowed to go into the Promised Land, was asking God if he could take the mountain. Despite his age, strength, hardships, challenges - he was willing to serve yet and wanted to do so, wherever that took him and whatever challenges that lie ahead. The same is true for us today, there are mountains yet to conquer, patients yet to see, lives yet to be changed by the gospel and the Holy Spirit through the ministry of this hospital, and I am so thankful and blessed to be a part of this ministry and thankful for the chance to work with folks like Jim and Bill who have been great mentors for me.

Meier -When one hand is not enough

Erin Meier — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:47:00 +0000

About 2 months ago, while playing basketball I felt some pain in my shoulder. Having dislocated it 5 times in the past, I wasn't too worried about it. I took some normal precautions of rest, ice, antiinflammatory medicine and PT exercises to strengthen my shoulder. After a month, it was still hurting me, and so I started to wear a sling on my R arm while at my house for some relief from the pain. The sling did help at night, but my shoulder was still bothering me during the day while working. I tried to rationalize that I needed my R arm to work, but finally, I broke down and started wearing the sling full time and have now become a one handed doctor with helpers.

We have a volunteer family here and their 19 yo daughter wants to be a doctor, so she has agreed to be my scribe. Marissa joins me on rounds and in the clinic, writing my notes for me. In payment for being my scribe, I try and teach Marissa a little something about medicine - what I am hearing, doing, feeling, and thinking. She seems to be enjoying the chance to be in the hospital and learning about medicine, and my shoulder is enjoying the rest of being able to be immobilized throughout the day. Ben and Jim have also volunteered their surgical services to cover my C-sections when I am on call, which is a blessing as well.

I have had practice doing things with my left hand, having injured my R shoulder before, but I am now testing my L handed abilities even more. I have learned how to drain abscesses, perform lumbar punctures and ultrasound all with my left hand. My L handed writing still needs work, so Marissa is a huge help. I am not sure what I have done to my shoulder, but I know I need to get it fixed, my one handed doctoring can only go on so long. I will be coming back to the US on July 20th and having shoulder surgery on the 24th, with the hopes that I can return to PNG mid-September.

I would covet your prayers for me and my shoulder during this time. Pray for the surgeon and the surgery on the 24th, for my travels, for my recovery and the physical therapy that I will need to do after the surgery to get my shoulder back working again. Thank you.

Meier -We have a dentist

Erin Meier — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 13:40:00 +0000

For years, we have wanted a dentist. At times, there have been visiting dentists who have come for a few weeks or a month - long enough to try and treat the staff, but not long enough to care for the Papua New Guineans who live outside of our station. About a year ago, we learned from Samaritan's Purse that they had a dentist that was suppose to go to Liberia, to the heart of the Ebola outbreak, and wondered if we could use her instead. We quickly said yes, and began working on creating a dental clinic for her to work out of.

In January of this year, we had 2 volunteers who came and helped to get our clinic set up and help us (non dentists) know and understand what we need and don't need. After they left, we have been trying to get our clinic ready for our dentist - Sheena. Well Sheena has now arrived. She got into country a few weeks ago, and has been getting acclimated to the culture and doing some language learning. She is getting close to be ready to see patients, and we are excited.

Initially she will continue to see our staff here on station, as there are still many for her to see and it will give her time to adjust and figure out how things in PNG work. After that, she will start to see PNGers from out of station. There really hasn't been a good dentist in the area for a number of years, so there is a lot of work for her to do, but she is excited about getting started.

Monica is one of our CHWs (Community Health Workers) who has been waiting for Sheena's arrival and for the clinic to open. Monica is learning to be Sheena's assistant, learning how to clean teeth, what instruments Sheena will need for what procedures, etc. There will be a lot for her to learn, and us too as we start this dental clinic.

Pray that this dental clinic might open up a new ministry for us and might help to meet the needs of many. Pray for Sheena and Monica as they work together and minister to the many who will come.