Last week our guys finally got to start deconstruction in the village. There were many delays and changes to our plans. We do not know why the Lord chose to allow these changes. In fact, there are many things we don’t know. But there are also many things we do know:

I could keep going… Our love for our Saviour has grown through this waiting period. We serve a good Lord.

Now that deconstruction has started, things are moving fast! Here are some more things to praise the Lord for and some things you can continue praying for:

God provided the right people. One of the deacons in the church we attend here in town is a carpenter. Kombuk and his assistant joined the guys. They did an amazing job – Ryan basically just had to mention a specific task that needed to get done and they got to work on it. They were faithful, fast and efficient. (The other two guys in the picture are village friends who helped with less risky jobs. Once the roof is off we will employ more local guys to help with the tear down.)

God provided favour with the people. Here is what Zach had to say: “”I was able to meet with a whole group of village leaders to express my desire to continue working among them. I communicated once again what I hope to do regarding literacy, Bible Translation, and discipleship. The leaders in turn expressed their desire for us to move back. A few men who have caused quite a bit of trouble for us in recent years even came forward and apologized. Pray with me that their repentance might bear long-term fruit. There seems to still be an open door for the gospel in these mountains and there are still many adversaries. Praise the Lord for an invitation from the village leadership to return!” (Pictured below is a group of leaders signing a contract inviting the Canns back to Mawerero.)

God provided safety for the guys as they worked in (an on top of!) houses that are not structurally sound. They wisely take as many precautions as possible, but the fact remains that the house is only just hanging on to the mountain… This is an ongoing prayer request – during the next trip, the guys need to remove the Cann house’s roof. This is one of the trickiest jobs. 

The Mitchell house is still (kind of) sturdy and serving as storage area. 

God provided transport. This is another ongoing prayer request. SIL’s aviation department has been amazing in its support of our work, both on professional and personal level. But they are spread thin. These guys are working incredibly hard! Please pray that God would provide more pilots and more helicopters. Mission aviation is a critical part of church planting in remote areas.  

God sustained the guys. Everyone was pretty tired when they got back. But they did it! Please keep praying for Ryan’s knee and back – he is careful not to overexert himself, leaving heavy lifting to the guys helping him. The next trip is a few days longer, which means he’ll probably need to take a rest day in the middle. We plan on him seeing a specialist next time we go to SA. 

The next tear-down trip is planned for Monday 13 March. The guys hope to get the Cann house deconstruction done during that trip.