A Christmas Gift

Today I had the chance to get out of the house and do a little pre-Christmas grocery shopping and get a few gifts for Isaac. First of all, this wouldn't have been nearly as possible without the generous gift that we found in our box at church today, so whoever you are, we greatly and dearly thank you for your kindness to us. 

I actually liked being in the hustle and bustle of the crowds today, but I think it's only because, being a stay-at-home mommy and wife, I've barely been out of the house this week, and this was my first official Christmas season shopping endeavor...er, adventure?...to date, so I was not overwhelmed with all the people and chaos. 

True to any Christmas scenario, the sound system at HyVee blasted the sounds of the season as shoppers fought for the $1.89/lb hamburger that was being stocked on the shelf {...and I was one of them!!}. But it was somewhat charming, the old-school feeling of shopping so near to the Christmas deadline.  And I think I discovered the best store ever today: The Dollar Tree, where EVERYTHING is $1. Why have I not discovered this yet?!? Originally we weren't going to do a stocking gift for me because my gift this year from Alan is getting the piano tuned {himself! He bought a little kit earlier this season and has been working off and on on it!! I'm so excited to not have to sit through piano lessons of an untuned kind!!!}, but when I saw the kitchen section of The Dollar Tree, I decided to gift myself a stocking which will include a mini cutting board (always wanted that!), and new pot holder, my first ever pie server, new set of spatulas {so that my broken one doesn't keep breaking off in the cookie dough}, and a new whisk all for the low and beautiful price of $5. I warned Alan so that when he sees me opening it on Christmas morning {yes, I'm going to wait and actually put it in my stocking}, that he can take full credit for it :).

But I still say that there's no earthly gift that can give happiness, joy or excitement this side of Heaven at Christmas more than the gift of Jesus. 

Tonight I was reading the blog of some missionaries from our old church back in Iowa that are now serving in Papua New Guinea and have been there since  around 2006. They have gone through training with New Tribes Mission and have been living with the Akolet Tribe, learning their culture and language for the past four years, and now are preparing to start doing Bible Teaching in the Akolet language for the first time IN HISTORY. The Bible has never before been translated into this language, and soon it will be taught to these people. 

{Julie and one of the women of the tribe reading the first Akolet literacy primer}

{Adam & Julie Martin (right side) and their co-workers Ryan & Nicki Coleman and their children}

I've been praying for them since they left in 2006, and have recently been keeping up with them on their blog, and have chills tonight with excitement for what is to come. Their teachings will begin on Jaunary 4th, 2011, and it is their prayer that the Akolet people would come hear them teach, that God would continue to help them with translations, and that the Gospel would be heard and the Truth clearly presented. 

I do not have enough room here to explain the ways God is working in them, so I would encourage you to go check out their blog at http://www.martinpng.com/2005/05/about-papua-new-guinea.html and read the latest 3 posts which explain how this translation as been coming together and the excitement that goes with preparing to share it with the people of the bush (as they call home).

I think this is an amazing belated Christmas gift-that the Martins, along with their team, will soon be presenting the Gospel in the Akolet language to the Akolet people. Christ was born over 2,000 years ago, yet He is still alive and the Good News is still being spread! This year, when we sing Go Tell it on the Mountain, I'll be thinking of the Martins sharing the great news of the Gospel in the bush of Papua New Guinea. 

**If you feel led, please either re-post this to your blog or leave a link to their website so that others can be praying for the Martin's and the people of the Akolet tribe. 

"Look at the nations and watch-and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5