Fresh Perspective

For the last five months, giving strength, has become a very heightened concept in my life.  I recognize that it is a gift (for both the giver and the receiver) and I believe it flows from Jesus through our imperfect vessels.  Have you experienced it?  Giving strength to someone else?  Have you understood that the time you spent listening to a person or encouraging them, gave strength?  For me, I have learned it most, through my Papua friend Ida.  If you read these blogs frequently you will quickly remember Ida’s painful story ( http://iwillgoruth.blogspot.co.id/2017/10/anguished-hearts.html ).   A story of high hopes only to be crushed by cruel death, taking not only one of her children, but two in the span of less than nine years.  I knew when her second son died that I would walk closely with Ida.  In the valley of death.    Honestly there have been days when I have not felt that I had an ounce of strength to share and ...

It is no secret that we have no planes that can currently fly at Adventist Aviation.  One is down for repairs and one is down for a major inspection/over-haul.  Meanwhile, the work interior and the requests continue to build and weigh on those who carry them.  So last week, Darron declared, “I will walk, because we have no planes.”  Well…..ok, then””.  Isn’t that the appropriate missionary wife response?  But honestly, this trip pushes my flexibility buttons to their peak flex.  Darron left this morning.  Dressed like a hiker with long pants and shirt and broad rimmed hat.  Big back pack.  And only the essentials.  This is the outline he gave me: “Fly commercial into Oxibil.  Walk 2 days to Tinnibil with Jackson.  Spend Saturday in Tinnibil.  Sunday a.m. walk to Okyop.  It should be a six hour hike and there will be phone signal in Okyop.  Be there one week.  Following Sunday walk to Seminka.  2 da...

What joy to reach a new milestone in the Boyd family history.  Yes, we are officially parents of four teenager sons .  This past week our youngest, Nathaniel, turned thirteen.  Tipping the scale to more than half of his birthdays now celebrated in Indonesia.  Six in America.  Seven here.  Who knows how this time in Papua will affect all of our boys, but especially Nathaniel?  We have enjoyed all the stages of our children, yet contrary to the popular opinion, we really enjoy the teen years where our children grow from boys to young men.  Nathaniel’s desires for his birthday were simple enough.  He wanted to invite all the boys in his class to join him at Lake Sentani for some fun time at the dock.  We decided to go this Friday as it was a half day because of science fair.  (Boy Parental Observation:  A sure sign that boys are growing up, is when they dress up without being told to).  So after a quick lunch, 6 boys loaded i...