Updated Relationship Status

Noe-Lisa Martinez went from "Dating" to "Single".

Yes, go ahead and smile. :) We have been talking and thinking and praying with two other families about potentially partnering in a tribal church planting work here in PNG for the last year (or longer). As Noe puts it so well, it's like we were "dating" each other.

Last week, we all decided not to partner together-- but we are SO happy to report that it is NOT for any negative reason! The reason we are not partnering together is that those two families are going to go in together with the hope/plan of having a family from a neighboring tribal church join them in the work. This is ‘purposeful partnership.' How amazing is this?!

**Really, folks, this is a wonderful picture of what it really means to make disciples. Be encouraged. "Training nationals to do the job" is SO much more than 'here is the Gospel, here is the Bible, go for it!' It involves years and years, countless hours of intentional discipleship. In this neighboring tribal church, the missionaries (who happen to be here as some of our advisors at this time!) spent years:

1.     Learning the tribal language AND culture (this includes understand the depths of the animistic belief system/worldview of the people they were going to share God's Word with)

2.    Preparing Bible lessons that are accurate to the original meaning, but relevant to the culture

3.    Preparing a literacy program so the people could learn to read and write in their own language- with the end goal that they can read the Bible in their own language. Also, discipleship will be immensely difficult without this.

4.    Beginning to translate the Bible into the tribal language- again, understanding the culture so that the translation will be accurate in meaning, and relevant in form. Unfortunately, many translations have been set aside because the culture and worldview was not understood by the translators. Additionally, some translations are quickly completed, but there are no solid Bible teachers to teach it, and/or no believers to hand it to.

5.    Teaching through the Bible for the FIRST time in the tribal language! And being available to dialogue each day and answer questions. (The questions will stem from their worldview, so if you haven't learned that, you'll have great difficulty answering these questions!)

6.    Discipling- walking with new believers and helping them grow in their understanding of God and His Word! "Therefore go and make converts of all nations..." No! haha :) "Therefore go and make DISCIPLES of all nations..." (!) This discipleship includes working together to reach neighboring tribes and languages. The end goal is that they will be well equipped to continue this work on their own.

What a privilege to be a part of this amazing work! To be a part of His mission, to be a part of 'updating relationship status':

Darkness ... to Light

Stranger ... to Citizen

Lost ... to Found

Not a People ... to a People

(etc!!)

So as we look at these two families, these friends of ours, we are filled with joy that they will hopefully have the opportunity to have a believing tribal family come and join with them, as co-laborers for the cross of Christ. Tribal believers who have been discipled by missionaries who considered it worth their while to be in it for the long haul. THIS is "training nationals to do the job". Speaking of which... this tribal church has now shared the Word of God with almost ALL of the villages in the tribe! And now, as you can see, they are preparing to partner with western missionaries to go into some of these harder-to-reach places. As the tribal church continues to grow in maturity and tools, they will be able to go to some of these places on their own.

So yes, we did have a bit of an emotional week as we "broke up" with these two families. But again, it is for happy reasons. We had plenty of reasons to partner together, we all are of one mind and vision in regard to church planting. So we spent last week fellowshipping with them, and on Sunday we drove them to the airport to catch their flight back to another region.

These little MK's have been friends since 2009! (well, most of them)

Language Check Update:

Many of you heard through other sources, but we all did well on our language evaluations last month. We are both out of Basic level and into the Progressing level. The next level is Capable, and we are continuing to work hard to learn this language and culture (remember, the two cannot be separated if you expect to translate, teach, and disciple with accuracy, relevance, and understanding).

The girls also had a little language check, and they both passed, being able to answer all of the questions presented to them! Way to go, munchkins! :)

We have about 6 weeks remaining here in Madang. Pray for us to be diligent in our studies, and ever loving toward one another. :)

On a Funny Note...

When to NOT combine English and Tok Pisin: If you are trying to say "I'll take a little!"

"I'll take a little lik (leak)!"  .... Oops!

("Little" in Tok Pisin is 'liklik')

First Language Check!

Language learning

Well, we have been in PNG for nearly 2 months now, and in just a couple days we will have our first language check! There is a CLA (Culture & Language Acquisition) consultant who happens to be in town this week, and he has offered to do our language checks/evaluations.

So we will both sit down with him and some nationals for a couple hours to be evaluated on what we’re learning of the culture and how we are filing our data, as well as an extensive evaluation of our progress in learning the national language, Tok Pisin.

Please pray that we will think clearly and do our best!

(We are also going to have someone give a language check to our girls! They are old enough to learn quite a bit, and they’re doing pretty well at grasping some basic vocabulary and practical expressions.)

The time is passing quickly- we are already halfway through our time here in Madang. Can you believe that? J When we know more details, we will let you know about our upcoming Bush Orientation (and what that means).

Naya learning how to scrape coconut meat,
Jocie having her hair braided

We are praying a lot these days as we consider partnering with two other families in a church planting work. JOIN US in praying for this important decision! We will update you when we can.

We made Mexican tacos for some of the believers
who are visiting. A cultural experience for them! :)

Thank you for keeping up with us! It’s a joy and blessing to have your support and partnership.

Check back soon for an update on our language check!

**Note- we have a new Page here on our blog, called "Letters/Packages". It includes info and lists (!) for those of you who have asked about sending things to us. (The page is located in the menu/bar at the top.) Thank you!!

~Noe, Lisa, Naya and Jocie

Jocie with her friend Nora

Mipela i lainim Tok Pisin!

It means "We are learning Tok Pisin (Pidgin, the national language of PNG)!"

Today was August 24th. That marks one month since we landed in PNG. Can you believe that?!

Helping fuel the NTM helicopter

It has been a busy and fruitful month of adjusting and learning, and lately starting to really dive in to language learning and experiencing the local culture.

All four of us have done remarkably well adjusting to the climate. The girls complained MUCH less than I anticipated, and that's been a huge blessing. None of us have been hit with homesickness (but don't worry, we think of you all frequently and we miss you a lot!), which is a huge praise!

We've been able to get out into the nearby villages quite a bit, both as a family, and Noe by himself. So we've started building on some new friendships, and we've both found individuals who are willing (and excited) to help us learn the language.

Through language sessions and conversation/storying, we are learning the language more each day. Also recently, a group of believers from a tribal church has visited, all of whom are great 'teachers' for those of us learning Tok Pisin.
We're thankful for these brothers and sisters in Christ.

The girls' first time seeing a chopper

We have now visited two different national churches in this area. One of them has a Sunday school class for kids, which Naya in particular enjoyed. Twice a month we are also meeting together as believers here at NTM, which is a huge encouragement.

We're becoming increasingly familiar with the logistics of going into Madang town for groceries and produce from the market. Noe is a great driver... he usually stays on the right correct side of the road ;) And he knows where the 'surprise' pot-holes are now. The girls enjoy going to town with us... well ok not really, but they know that going to town is their only chance to get an ice cream cone! :) So they usually don't complain...too much.

Naya is plugging away at 1st Grade, and doing very well! Jocie is doing preschool (when she's not playing with her little friends next-door, Nora and Rinn), and we are starting to focus on forming letters and numbers. She'll start Kindergarten next July hopefully.

Jocie, with friends Nora and Rinn

We're VERY thankful to have all been quite healthy for this first month! THANK YOU for your prayers, your encouragement, and your financial support! We are here because of you, and we want you to feel involved and BE involved. (What would you like to hear about? Feel free to email us with questions or comments ANY time!)

~the Martinez family

p.s. -- stay tuned for info on Naya and Jocie's upcoming blog! (Not a post- their OWN blog!) Another way for your kids, and kids in your church, to get a window into the lives of missionary kids growing up in another culture, getting to know Jesus, and having the opportunity to share Him with the unreached!

Enjoying reading a "Maily" email... (the girls email with relatives
and little friends using Maily! Sign up today and connect with us!)

Joy To The World

Sunrise, taken next to our house.

In the early hours of the morning, I hear these particular birds 'singing' repeatedly the first four notes of the tune "Joy To The World." It's very clear, always in perfect rhythm, and pretty!
(Ok yes, granted, after the 200th chirp I most definitely listened more intently, and perhaps longingly, for the bird who would "wise up" and sing the next line- "the Lord is come"...)

But I found it interesting, no matter what tune these birds are really singing, that The Lord should give such a friendly reminder of Himself and of His Presence- upon our arrival to PNG! No matter the day, no matter the events of each day, no matter this or that: still, JOY to the world. Why? The Lord is come. Indeed He has come, and indeed He offers us the fullness of His joy in abiding in Him.

With the tragically high attrition rates of global missionaries, we've been strongly exhorted by those who have 'made it' for years and years on the foreign field to draw closely into Christ. Individually. As a couple. And as a family. But it certainly starts with our individual walks with Him. If that falls apart, everything else may fall apart as well. (Because after all, "in Him we live and move and have our being.")

So would you join us in praying that in the midst of acclimating to this new climate and new culture, and in the midst of learning language and preparing for future tribal ministry, that we will each draw closely into Christ? That we will abide in Him, that we will find our joy in Him? (After all, the birds just can't help themselves! Why do I have more trouble than they?)

Praise and Prayer:

Praise: the ant invasion has been successfully squelched! Not only are they now scarce in our home, but Jocie is sleeping in her bed and seems much more at ease.

Thanks to The Lord also that Jocie is beginning to warm up to being here in PNG. She never resisted coming, but she's had a slower and more difficult transition than Naya.

Naya is doing great, praise The Lord! She is bold at meeting new people and asking what something is called in the national language, Tok Pisin. She is learning the language quickly and was complimented by some ladies in a village recently. :)

Pray that The Lord would orchestrate who our language helpers might be for these next 4 months.

Cultural Experiences:

We have enjoyed getting to know quite a few families in a nearby village called Savolon.

The girls with some new friends :)

Last week on an impromptu visit, the girls and I (Lisa) got to help a lady who was making a broom for her porch out of coconut leaf stems. She showed me how, then she helped me try, then I did it myself. Then she and I both showed the girls how ( yes my girls were using knives), and then I supervised as the girls tried doing it themselves.

Also last week, Noe and the other men went out in the morning with some men from the village called Tagog, and they harvested some morota, saksak branches. That afternoon, several of us went into Tagog and helped weave the morota branches into roof "panels" for someone's gathering house.

This week we were invited to cook and eat with a family in the Savolon village. It was a great experience learning to do things their way and with their resources. Together ( ok mostly them, but we ladies helped) we made a wonderful meal- a coconut milk based soup with fish, kau kau ( sweet potato), taro, banana, kumu (greens), carrot, onion, and tomato. They also smoked some of the fish whole and made a pot of rice. All of this was cooked in the "haus-cook" (cooking house) over the fire.

The meal we helped make in the village

We are really enjoying building relationships with the people who live in this area. Pray that we will all be good testimonies of Christ during our time here. We are learning more of the national language every day, mostly through conversation at this point. Next week we will dive into some even more purposeful language learning sessions.

Thank you for your incredible support! We hope to keep you updated regularly, and we want you to be able to somehow embrace this with us. Each one of you, whether you pray or give or encourage: YOU are a part of this team and a part of this task of taking the Gospel to the unreached people groups in the world today!

With love,

Noe, Lisa, Naya and Jocie

At Home in Madang!

Apinun from PNG!

We arrived at long last to Madang on Thursday evening, July 24^th.

Our home for the next few months

OUR TRAVELS

We departed Seattle early Monday morning, leaving sad but supportive grandparents and a few friends behind. Unfortunately, we had too many connections (so we were told) to check our luggage through to Port Moresby, PNG. So we reclaimed it in LA and transferred to the international terminal at LAX for our flight to Sydney. To our surprise, the ticket agent told us after a couple minutes “Your visas are not being accepted.” (Oh my!) As it turned out, because we had so many hours of layovers in Australia, we needed an Australian visa as well in order to continue on our journey. This would cost us $50/person. So we said ok, and she began the process, and I was praying while Noe dealt with that.

Another employee came over during this time and wanted us to weigh one of our carry-ons for her. Which of course was too heavy, so we had to take some things out, break a zip-tie on a luggage and throw things in there… 3 times… then she was satisfied and walked away. Finally the visas were finished and we got our boarding passes and tiredly headed toward the security checkpoint to the right. We stopped by the payphones to pray because we were a bit frazzled. As we approached the front of the security line, he told us to go back to the other security checkpoint as he was closing this one. Ookkkk. It was by now 8pm, and our poor, patient (I think patient?) children hadn’t eaten since lunch, but they hung in there (barely) with us. They are such troopers! We cleared security, and followed the signs to the dining section of the terminal. We reached the end of the terminal and realized we’d gone the wrong way. No food. Ookkkk. So we turned around and dragged ourselves to the other end of the terminal where the food really was, and we ordered something and sat down.

By the time it came, it was 10 minutes before boarding, so we gave the kids a couple bites and then headed back to our gate. Lo and behold, boarding was delayed. And delayed. However, the Lord encouraged us at this point. A couple of gate agents announced that carry-ons should be checked for size and weight. As we looked at each other with somewhat of an “oh great” look, Noe saw that the ticket agent who dealt with us and our visas happened to be over at our gate to help with the boarding process. Noe called her over and thanked her again for her help. We chatted for a few minutes, and at the end she told us she’d help us get on board with no problems. (!) Because of this, we had no questions asked about our carry-ons. ALSO, Noe then informed me that because we had not been angry or yelled at her (as most people apparently do), she did not charge us for any of our visas. (!!)

The Qantas A380 is a humongous airplane. That’s all I have to say. The girls slept all night, after eating a little bit of the food we brought with us. Noe and I dozed off and on. 15 hours is a long time. But we made it!

In Sydney we claimed our bags and went through customs, and re-checked them for our domestic flights in Australia. Flew to Brisbane, then flew to Cairns that evening (Wednesday the 23^rd). CAIRNS! Oh Cairns…. The international terminal locks up for the night by 10pm. Our plane was late, so we arrived after 10pm. We claimed our bags (AGAIN), and were able to stay in the baggage claim area of the domestic terminal until 12:30am. At 12:30am (or after the Guam flight I guess), the domestic terminal shuts down and everyone must go outside. So we woke up from our floor naps, and went outside with about 15 other people where we slept on the ground until 3am. As Noe puts it, “We went camping in the outback!” Ha! (His optimism was great.. and we all did fine. Even when there was a lizard by my head, and later when I thought an animal was on my head but it was just Naya’s foot…)

At 3am the international terminal opened, so we went inside. By 6:30am we were on our way to Port Moresby. NTM staff took us to their home and let us rest in a guest house for the day. The girls enjoyed the parrots and a brief swim in the pool. Mommy enjoyed a short nap. And finally, we took off for our final flight to Madang, arriving uneventfully after 5pm on Thursday. An NTM staff member met us, helped us get our luggage, and drove us back to the NTM center.

GETTING SETTLED IN MADANG

Some staff came over to our house to greet us, gave us egg salad sandwiches for dinner and some basic groceries for the next day, and a couple hours later we were in bed. Well… actually we were all in ONE bed… Why? Ants. (haha!)

The center sits right on the South Pacific Ocean/Bismarck Sea

There are ants. TONS of tiny little harmless ants. They are everywhere in our house, and Jocie hasn’t been able to sleep in her bed yet because of fear. She even said “I’m SO excited to do school, but I’m too scared to sit at the table because of all the ants!” (Her fear is the prayer request, but it should be noted that the amount of ants is no exaggeration. They are surrounding me currently, and often crawling on my face, and they’ve been darting in and out of the keys on the laptop. I could go on and on with stories, but I don’t want to bore you.)

One staff member predicted we’d wake up at 3am because of the time change. On. The. Money. The girls and I were awake at 3, and I had to convince them to go back to sleep. The sun sets around 6:30 and rises around 6 or 6:30am. So that’s kind of the norm here, to go to bed at a decent hour and rise with the sun.

Noe made breakfast on Friday morning- scrambled eggs and toast with PB&J. We were fascinated how within 10 minutes of cooking the eggs, when I took the skillet to wash it, there were EASILY a couple thousand ants inside (!!). The girls are learning VERRRRRY quickly that even a small crumb will draw a huge crowd of ants!

Friends from the MTC, currently on staff here until they move into a tribe

After breakfast, some friends on staff here took us for a walk around the center, showed us our mailbox, etc. We had lunch with a staff family (thank you!), took an afternoon nap, unpacked more, then had dinner with a staff family (thank you!).

Veggies from the market this morning, washed and drying

This morning, Saturday, we were taken into Madang town by a staff family. Naya and Jocie rode in the back with their 4 boys, and received and extensive education about PNG life as we drove into town. We stopped first at an open market, overflowing with vegetables and fruits. Noe also bought a young coconut and we all enjoyed the coconut water. We went to a big store next with lots of Asian pantry ingredients and the kids had an ice cream cone. Then they took us to their favorite Chinese restaurant for lunch. Super yum! We stopped at two more grocery stores, then brought our weary crew back home.

This is a LONG update, but much has happened, and we’re happy to have our internet set up now so we can update you who have so faithfully supported us and walked with us so far! It’s so exciting to be here finally, and we’re looking forward to learning the national language starting around August 5^th, once the other families and singles arrive.

It’s hot and humid here, and apparently it’s the end of the dry season, so we’ll probably get rain almost daily.

But all is well so far! We’re safe and healthy at this point, and getting our bearings.

LOTS of love to all of you, please continue in prayer for us,

Noe, Lisa, Naya, Jocie, and 3,500,745…99 ants J