Rejoicing in the Wilderness

Posted on September 23, 2020 by John Allen

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)

This letter has been delayed because we’ve been watching the Lord do a mighty thing on our behalf here in PNG. Let me share it with you…

Since our first newsletter this year we’ve shared with you our need for nursing staff at Kunai Health Centre. Without funding to pay qualified national nurses, we still rely on missionary expatriates to come fill those positions. And while we continue to pursue avenues for funding, we need laborers! Many of you prayed, and we announced in a previous update that we had the two nurses—Stacie and Rebecca—but the international borders have been closed here due to the pandemic.

Fast forward to two weeks ago, which was our deadline to call it all off for now. Stacie had her visa, but Rebecca’s had been delayed for almost six months. Approvals were needed from New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Tickets had been purchased, and rescheduled, and rescheduled. Two weeks ago we spoke with Rebecca and her pastor and told them we were sorry, but the miracle of getting a visa during the pandemic had not come through. We would have to put this off indefinitely.

That was around 9 AM our time.

A couple hours later, around lunch time, Rebecca’s visa was approved! It was all back on again, but now there were approvals to get—especially one from the PNG Covid Team.

By God’s grace and His grace alone, the nurses left a week later with approvals to transit New Zealand and Australia, but the PNG approval was delayed due to our national Independence Day holiday. When the ladies arrived in Brisbane, they still did not have approval to enter PNG the next day…

Thanks to the Lord and to those working hard in the PNG Covid Team office, approval came through just in time for the nurses to fly the last leg from Brisbane to Port Moresby! This was a crazy ride, and at such a time as this!

As I write, they are doing a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a local hotel and are scheduled to get out on October 2^nd. We plan to spend a few days with them, picking up supplies and getting to know them better. Then, Lord willing, they will fly up to the mountains and join the team on the ground at Kunai.

This has been a year-long prayer request, and even though we did what we knew to do, it was only God who made it all come together, literally at the 11:59 mark! To Him be the praise and honor and glory!

Join us in prayer as these young ladies begin their journey of meeting our people, gaining the language, and learning how to minister effectively in the spiritual and physical lives of our Kamea friends.

Because He Is,
John & Lena Allen
2 Thessalonians 3:1

For a print copy, click here.

Kunai Health Centre: KunaiHealthCentre.com

Baptist Bible Institute of Port Moresby: facebook.com/BBIPOM

BBI POM began its third term in August with 26 students.

Dry season in Port Moresby can bring some exciting times, as it did on this evening recently. There was no damage other than grass and small trees, thankfully.

PNG Independence Day celebration brings out some traditional dress–in the hardware store!

Our “donga” arrived and is set up by Curtain Brothers Construction–ready for refurbishing into a house and office!

New windows installed in the living and office areas

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same

Posted on July 3, 2020 by John Allen

Click here for printable copy

New Normal

All of us continue to adapt to a world that has changed much from what it was even six months ago. I realize that many of you are still under restrictions, yet in PNG we have only had 11 confirmed cases to date, none of them serious (on a side note…everyone is sure that it is here, it’s just that testing is very limited…and any severe cases may have been missed due to the various other sicknesses and diseases that take the lives of our people). As a church, we are able to meet pretty much normally, respecting those who wish to keep a distance.

*Members of Capital City Baptist meet outside after services to praise God for His goodness!*

New Classes

After a month-long lockdown, we were able to resume classes at Baptist Bible Institute of Port Moresby. We completed our latest 8-week course last week and plan to return to classes (Lord willing!) the first week of August.

*Students in class for the “Life of Christ” course at BBIPOM*.

New Opportunities

Because of the religious liberty in PNG, doors open up in places you could only dream about in other countries. Among other things we’ve done lately, we were able to go with Pastor Tau and Shalom Baptist to distribute Bibles at the University of PNG Medical School and speak to future doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists. This is something we’ve looked forward to for over a year.

*Some of the students at UPNG Medical School who received Bibles and heard a challenge from God’s Word to know the Lord and to serve our people!*

New Construction

Lord willing, we hope to begin refurbishing our new home on the campus of Capital City Baptist Church soon. Through a series of “God-moment” connections here in Port Moresby, the Lord provided a used modular house for us, including the excavation work to prepare the site—at no cost to us! It will take a lot of renovation, but we thank the Lord for it, and look forward to the opportunity to use it for His glory!

*This is where our refurbished bunkhouse will be located.*

Same Great Bible

We have recently finished our draft of John’s Gospel and are working our way through the Book of Revelation. Keep this project in prayer! We are past the half-way point now, and long to see it completed!

Same Glorious Gospel

With all the problems we all see around the world, we must keep in mind that there is only one long-term (might I say, eternal) solution: The saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. From the global pandemic to the gender-based- and sorcery-accusation-related-violence here in PNG to the unbelievable unrest in countries around the globe, the one and only steady hope we have is Jesus Christ.

Same Great Need

Laborers are needed!

1. Pray with us for borders to open so we can get our new nurses for Kunai Health Centre. They are willing and waiting!
2. Pray for our students at BBIPOM that God will raise up laborers among them for His harvest. He is able!

Because He Is,
John & Lena Allen
2 Thessalonians 3:1

Kunai Health Centre: KunaiHealthCentre.com

Baptist Bible Institute of Port Moresby: facebook.com/BBI POM

Here are some more photos to enjoy. Some of these were taken by Pastor Tau Abary and the people of Shalom Baptist Church (used by permission).

First, some of our BBIPOM students!

Materua, Tamarua, Braxstone, Tau, Peter, Emmanuel, Ricky, and Lawrence. Good men!

It is a blessing to teach those who are hungry for the Word and eager to serve the Lord!

UPNG Medical students were eager to receive their free Bibles.

Missionary ladies are a special bunch! Lena, Rebecca Florence, Chelsea Moorman, Danya Counts, and Trina Muldoon. All happened to be in town at the same time!

After months in the remote mountains, the expression on Danya’s face as she looks at all that ice cream is priceless. Yes, we got her some ice cream 🙂

A recent sunrise at Kunai–few places are more beautiful than this! (PC: Sarah Glover)

Only God

Posted on April 15, 2020 by John Allen

April 2020

Click here for printable text copy

ONLY GOD
When I wrote our last update in February, none of us had any idea what would soon transpire globally. Never have any of us been forced to say “if the Lord will” as much as we are saying it now, but regardless, our God is doing great things!

ANSWER TO PRAYER
We have two new nurses who are scheduled to come once the borders re-open here in PNG. We can still use more nurses, but we praise the Lord for these two ladies who stepped up to the challenge.

FAITHFUL IN THE FIELD
The team at Kunai are continuing the ministry there. As of this writing we have no active cases of the virus in PNG, but our staff are prepared as much as possible for what may come. There are no ventilators or machines available out there, and no way to fly out critical patients. Therefore, we ask that you pray for the team on the ground, not only for their protection but for their witness.

*It may not look like much, but it brought lots of medical and school supplies!*

CONTAINER ARRIVED
Our container—filled with supplies that many of you donated—has arrived and cleared customs. At present it is difficult to find flights to transport the materials to our team at Kunai. Pray we can get these medical supplies and school materials up there soon!

BAPTIST BIBLE INSTITUTE OF PORT MORESBY
We reported in our last letter that our first week of classes went very well. Praise the Lord, the rest of the six-week term went even better! We had 20 registered students and anywhere from 15-25 visitors in attendance for every class. We finished on schedule just before the mandatory shutdown. When we reopen, we have even more students who have registered, and we are looking forward to getting back to classes!

*Start of BBI POM classes–with social distancing before it was cool!*

Because we wanted to continue teaching our students, we have begun a video series on the BBI POM Facebook page called, “Daily Words.” It is a brief lesson about how to study the Bible for yourself, using the text of Scripture as a reference. It is designed with our students in mind, but since it is in English, we hope others around the world will join us. Lena has also posted videos of most of the live sessions from our first class at either our BBI POM Facebook page or on our BBI POM YouTube channel.

In the uncertainty of these days, may we examine our hearts to see what the Lord may be trying to say to us as a church? Daniel prayed during the Judean exile, repenting for his people’s sins against their holy God (Daniel 9). Have we done the same? The present pandemic, the Australian bush fires, the locust swarms in Africa, the devastating tornadoes in the US—all of these in the last several weeks—can we not at least seek God and ask for His forgiveness, His mercy, and His favor? We who long for the return of the Lord Jesus—can we not admit that these present distresses are at the very least pictures of the birth pangs of judgment to come? And in confessing these things, can we not beg God for an unprecedented outpouring of His Spirit in reaching the world for Jesus Christ?

Thank you all for your faithfulness—and at such a time as this. The resourcefulness of God’s people to BE the church when they cannot assemble as the church has been amazing. May the Lord open doors of witness for us all, and may He do things beyond what we can even ask or think. He is able!

Because He Is,
John & Lena Allen
2 Thessalonians 3:1

Visit our Kunai Health Centre website for information about the clinic at Kotidanga

Some recent photos:

Baptist Bible Institute of Port Moresby

The online services have allowed us to enjoy the preaching of men in Australia, PNG, and the US.

Our God is Able!

Posted on February 18, 2020 by John Allen

OUR GOD IS ABLE!

BAPTIST BIBLE INSTITUTE OF PORT MORESBY

Praise the Lord for the successful first week of classes at BBI POM! We averaged 45 in attendance per session for the first three evenings. Registration for full-time students is set for 17 February.

Our first six-week course covers Creation to Christ, giving our students a biblical foundation of redemption. At present we are meeting at Shalom Baptist Church in the Port Moresby, and we are grateful for their gracious hosting of the classes. Our God is able!

KOTIDANGA BAPTIST ACADEMY

Sarah Glover reports from Kotidanga that she has almost three dozen students in the inaugural classes of KBA. We are so grateful to Jubilee Christian College and Grace Baptist Church in Australia for their help in obtaining materials! The members of Kotidanga Baptist Church have prayed for this for over seven years!

*Willie Tapaqueo is the son of Kamea Bible translator, Yali Tapaqueo*

Pray for Sarah as she is doing two sessions; a morning session for the young students to learn to read and write, and an afternoon session for the older students (who are attending the local community school) to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. And best of all—Sarah incorporates the Scriptures and the Gospel into her teaching. Our God is able!

KUNAI HEALTH CENTRE—CRITICAL STAFF NEED!

Please take time to read this and to pray with us:

During our recruiting trip at the end of 2019, though we received many supplies for the clinic, and though we saw much fruit in the meetings we were in, we were not able to recruit the nursing staff we need for 2020.

We will be critically short of nurses in the next few months! The last few months we have had five wonderful, capable nurses on staff. Two of those finished their one-year internship last week and returned home; another two will leave at the end of June, leaving only our national nurse Manandi. Last year the clinic saw over 16,000 patients, and that is too many for three nurses, let alone one.

Dave Armstrong (left–Sarah Glover’s uncle) returned to Port Moresby on a flight with Lauren and Kyle Murphy–our RN couple who just finished an incredible one-year term at Kunai Health Centre. We will miss them!

Because of the time it takes to obtain paperwork for new nurses, as well as the need to give them a minimum of two months’ training before they can begin to take patients on their own, we need commitments from nurses now. If the Lord does not provide nurse interns by March 15, Kunai Health Centre will have to close temporarily beginning July 1, 2020, until such time as we get the staffing we need. We already have one nurse who has surrendered to come; and another, very experienced missionary nurse who is scheduled to come in October—but we need one or two more RNs to commit within the next few weeks.

Is the Lord burdening your heart to serve for one or two years as a nurse intern at Kunai? Do you know an RN who would be interested? Take a look at our new website, www.KunaiHealthCentre.com and learn about the ministry. Then, email lenaallen@yahoo.com to get more information about this awesome opportunity to serve in missions on the front lines, meeting spiritual and physical needs among a remote people group in the mountains of Papua New Guinea.

And please, everyone, pray! Because—Our God is able!

Because He Is,
John & Lena Allen
2 Thessalonians 3:1

*A note of thanks to Marie Bell and Rachel Beard, who crafted our Kunai Health Centre website—great job!

Click here for a printable copy of the newsletter without the pictures

Thoughts from the Thruway

Posted on January 27, 2020 by John Allen

On the Road

It has been a whirlwind of activity the last few weeks since we arrived in the States. We have had some wonderful meetings with our supporting churches—some of whom we have not seen since we began this journey over 13 years ago! We have also reconnected with friends we haven’t seen in over 40 years (!), and those times have been precious as well.

We have met with many prospective missionaries, including preachers, nurses, educators, and those who have an interest in moving to the foreign fields for “secular” work in order to help churches to be planted. There are so many ways to be involved in reaching the world! Have you asked the Lord what He would have YOU to do?

Great News from Home

Sarah Glover, who has been at Kunai since 2010, is starting a Christian school for our village children in February 2020. This has been a prayer request of our believers at Kotidanga Baptist Church for the last several years, and in just the last few weeks that the Lord has made it possible. Praise the Lord for all the details He has worked it out!

Packing Up

Thank you so much for the incredible response we’ve received from those who have sent supplies and funds for the clinic, the Bible Institute, and for shipping! The Lord always blesses us beyond measure. When we finish up our meetings, we will return to Louisville to pack the container in time to ship it just after the New Year.

Baptist Bible Institute of Port Moresby

Soon we will be back in PNG, and preparations to receive our first intake of students for the new Bible school are already in full swing. We are excited to partner with the pastors of our fellow Baptist churches to train leaders for the future of our city and our nation!

Will you pray with us for the need we have for a venue for the school? At present, some of the city churches have graciously offered to host a block Bible school course at their facilities, but none of them are can serve as a permanent location. We are looking for a place that is easily accessible to students from around the city with a consistent backup power supply. Rent for such a venue in Port Moresby is astronomical and buying land (and putting up a building) is even more out of reach. We are confident that the Lord has the right place—pray with us as we seek to find a place and to raise sufficient funds to obtain it.

And while you are praying—pray with us regarding:

The need for nursing staff at Kunai Health Centre for 2020-2021
Our health and stamina in the work

Lord willing, the next time you hear from us we will be back in PNG. One of the biggest encouragements we’ve heard lately came from Rex Cobb, our missions’ mentor at BBTI. His words: “Thank you for going back! Many don’t.”

While in Massachusetts, we visited the “Haystack Monument,” which commemorates five Williams College students who began meeting in 1806 to dedicate their lives to the serve in foreign missions. Many believe the American foreign mission movement came from these humble beginnings.* Oh, that we had such a fervor to reach the world in our own day!

David Brainard’s grave in Northampton, Massachusetts. Brainard’s life, immortalized in Jonathan Edwards’ “The Life and Diary of David Brainerd,” [sic] has probably impacted more men and women to give their all to serve the Lord than any other English book.

Thank you all for your heart for the Lord and for us; you are the ones who make it possible for us to return. May God bless you and yours during this holiday season, and may we all have “2020 Vision” in the year to come!

Because He Is,

John & Lena Allen

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Click here for printable copy

Baby Milk Update, January 2020

Posted on January 27, 2020 by John Allen

BABY MILK UPDATE as of January 2020

We thank the Lord for His provision each year for baby milk for our clinic ministry at Kunai Health Centre (click the link to see our new website!). In 2019 we distributed 296 cans of formula, serving many infants and young children who are malnourished.

In some cases, the mother has died in childbirth, or shortly thereafter. In other cases, the parents have given the child away as they are unable to feed another mouth…and yet others of our “baby milk babies” have mothers who are unable to produce sufficient milk to feed them.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Baby-milk-can.jpg

The baby milk program began in 2009, and it has served over 375 children since then. Some of these children are school-aged now, and by God’s grace, they are doing quite well.

Thank you for helping with the nutrition of our Kamea children!

Here’s another of our milk babies, now grown and healthy.

Thank you to Landmark Christian Academy, who not only donated vitamins for our Kamea children, but they raised $535 for the baby milk program!

Thank you to everyone who joins with us in prayer and financial support of this vital program. We are grateful for those who give monthly, and we are also grateful for the special offering we received at the end of the year that really helped out with our annual expenses. And our children thank you too!

2019
Income: $3,595.00
Expenses: $4,420.92
Total cans purchased: 320
Cost per 2 lb. can: $13.82 (price decrease due to exchange rate)
Babies served: 38

2018
Income: $9,118.42 (including a generous gift of $5,000 on Dec. 31, 2017!)
Expenses: $4,063.79
Total cans purchased: 270
Cost per 2 lb. can: $15.05 (increase due to extra air freight costs)
Babies served: 30

2017
Income: $4,180.41
Expenses: $5,341.75
Total cans purchased: 420
Cost per 2 lb. can: $12.72 (price decrease due to exchange rate)
Babies served: 45

2016
Income: $5,715.00
Expenses: $5,638.34
Total cans purchased: 400
Cost per 2 lb. can: $14.10 (price decrease due to exchange rate)
Babies served: 50

2015
Income: $6,875.00
Expenses: $8,280.37
Total cans purchased: 558
Cost per 2 lb. can: $14.83 (price decrease due to exchange rate)
Babies served: 29

2014
Income: $1,320.00
Expenses: $6,468.40
Total cans purchased: 400
Cost per 2 lb. can: $16.17
Babies served: 44

2013
Income: $6,414.16
Expenses: $8,396.37
Total cans purchased: 471
Cost per 2 lb. can: $17.82
Babies served: 58

2012
Income: $627.51
Expenses: $10,446.22
Total cans purchased: 547
Cost per 2 lb. can: $19.10
Babies served: 58

2011
Income: $1,415
Expenses: $5,325
Total cans purchased: 300
Cost per 2 lb. can: $17.75
Babies served: 42

The Influence of the Word of God

Posted on September 30, 2019 by John Allen

October 2019

PREACHING THE WORD

The last three months, Lena and I have been visiting the established Baptist churches in Port Moresby, meeting with the pastors and getting to know their people. We appreciate the open door we’ve had in several of those churches to preach the Word.

We just finished an awesome week at youth camp in Australia at Grace Baptist Church in Malanda, Queensland. There was such a spirit of service among the workers and a great spirit among the youth. Many decisions were made, including some for salvation. Lena and I got our cups full as we spent time with some of God’s choicest servants.

The staff and campers at Grace Baptist Church’s youth camp.

TRANSLATING THE WORD

Pastor Ben Samauyo and Bro. Yali Tapaqueo flew from Kotidanga to Port Moresby to stay with us for a couple of weeks while we worked on a full translation check on the Gospel of Luke. It was very profitable for us all, and the three of us being back together to work and fellowship was refreshing. Pastor Ben was able to speak at Shalom Baptist in Port Moresby, and that evening was a help and delight to everyone involved.

Pastor Ben preaching at Shalom Baptist Church in Port Moresby.

We just uploaded new audio recording software into Pastor Ben’s computer, and praise the Lord for how easy it is to use. Soon we hope to have some of our newly translated Kamea New Testament ready for our audio bibles!

LIVING THE WORD

We are so grateful for those who come to serve with us in the ministries at Kotidanga. Laura Lee Alford recently returned home after serving with us for nearly a year.

Laura Lee did many things while she was at Kunai. One of them was to help the checking of the Kamea New Testament with Pastor Ben and Bro. Yali.

Jennifer Thompson arrived in July, but due to an unknown allergic reaction she had to return to the States in September. Pray for Jenn as the doctors seek the cause of her illness.

It took several days to get Jenn out of the village due to bad weather. Note the muddy airplane–the airstrip has really been wet and muddy lately (see pictures below).

TEACHING THE WORD

Since arriving in Port Moresby, we have heard and seen the need to conduct a Bible Institute for the training of new ministry leaders. The city pastors and churches are doing a great work, and we want to come along beside them to partner in training future leaders for both our city and for the nation.

There are some Baptist Bible schools around the country, and one Baptist Bible college in the Highlands. The other option is to send students overseas to the Philippines, Australia, or the USA for training. We want to offer the option of these leaders being trained here in the city while being mentored by their own pastors in their home churches.

Thank the Lord for the opportunity to sit down with several of the Baptist pastors in Port Moresby as we discussed the concept of the Baptist Bible Institute.

Pray with us as we prepare to begin the Baptist Bible Institute of Port Moresby in February 2020.

As I write this, we are getting ready to board a flight back to the USA for several weeks’ worth of meetings. Pray we can minister well as we report and recruit! Thank you for all you do to help us in the work.

Because He Is,

John & Lena Allen

2 Thessalonians 3:1

____________________

Enjoy some photos from the last couple of months…

The weather has been unusually wet–even for us. Kanabea airstrip was covered with water and mud. This was during the time we were trying to get Jennifer Thompson out.

The Lord dried out the airstrip enough to get Sarah and Danya out, too.

Eventually they all made it to Port Moresby!

Our Kotidanga youth ladies hiked three days to get to Kerema, then rode a truck for another 8 hours just to get to youth camp in Port Moresby.

I met Anderson in one of the nice grocery stores in Port Moresby and got to share the Gospel with him.

No, that’s not how he normally dresses. He was involved in a traditional ceremony for his tribe, and just happened to be in the grocery. (Note the photo bomb, too…)

We still do supply buying for the Kunai team. Yes, that’s a lot of toilet tissue.

Lena has become involved with the hospital chaplains at Port Moresby General Hospital. Here she was teaching on the proper masking procedures for visiting the tuberculosis ward.

Lena, all dressed up for Papua New Guinea Independence Day, September 16th!

Moving Along

Posted on July 9, 2019 by John Allen

MOVING BOXES

Soon after our last update, we finished packing and sent our household goods (and somebody’s small library) from the Highlands down to Port Moresby. The Lord provided a good place for us to rent, just five minutes’ drive from Capital City Baptist Church.

We are renting in Edai Town, about 25 minutes from downtown Port Moresby, and 5 minutes from Capital City Baptist Church.

Already we’ve met many new people and are adapting to ministry in the city. The contacts we have made thus far regarding government and clinic work have been providential, and we thank the Lord for how He is sovereignly putting things together to advance the work at Kunai, even as we now live in Port Moresby.

MOVING WORD

Last week I was privileged to speak at the Pastors’ Workshop at Calvary Baptist Church in Lae. Pastor Ben and Pastor Kevin were able to fly out from the village to attend, and it was good to spend some personal time with them. The meeting was in conjunction with Calvary’s World Missions Conference, and it was exciting to see the strides our national churches are making in looking outward to the fields beyond.

All the pastors attending the Workshop at Calvary Baptist in Lae

An even bigger blessing was watching the Lord work in all of our hearts through the teaching of His Word. How precious it was when a holy hush fell on the room, followed by an altar filled with praying pastors who were moved by the exposition of the Word of God. Pray with us for God to move in a great way in our nation, advancing the Gospel here and abroad!

MOVING FORWARD

Another new nurse, Jennifer Thompson, is scheduled to arrive within a month. When she flies in to Kunai, Pastor Ben and Bro. Yali will fly out to be with us for two weeks of translation work here in Moresby. We also hope to do some New Testament recordings while the men are here.

Lena and I are visiting the city churches to get to know the pastors, their people, and the city. There are some wonderful saints here, and we trust that number will increase as we all labor together for the cause of Christ.

Because He Is,
John & Lena Allen
2 Thessalonians 3:1

Enjoy the photos from the last few weeks:

Pastor Phillip Sorulen of Calvary Baptist Church, Lae

Justin McGann, general manager for Curtain Brothers Construction in Port Moresby; Justin volunteered his time to do the road survey for us. He’s manager of the biggest construction firm in Port Moresby–it was an honor to have him do this for us!

Patrick, our pilot, and the trusty steed that took us from Port Moresby to Kotidanga and back. Low, and slow, and oh–what a view!

Sarah Glover and Kyle Murphy took Justin, me, and Pastor Ben to the top of the mountain to begin our damage assessment of the Kotidanga road.

Real friends walk with you in the mud and the rain.

Part of the gang who walked with us to survey the road damage. So grateful for dedicated friends up there at Kunai!

Flying back to Port Moresby: View from inside the R44 helicopter–and what a view it was!

In May we visited the YWAM medical ship when it was docked in Lae. Here are Sarah Glover, April Harper, and Lena together on the deck of the ship. April came to visit Kunai last year and taught our Kunai clinic team how to prep and read tuberculosis slides.

The YWAM medical ship team does eye surgery and dental work as they travel around our island.

Young children at Runway Baptist Church in Port Moresby, reciting their memory verses.

We got to be part of a BIMI Bible distribution in some nearby schools. Amazing response by the youth and the teachers!

And meet the newest member of the Moresby squad–King Cat (KC).

Transitions

Posted on May 5, 2019 by John Allen

TRANSITIONS

Transitions are not always easy. They involve learning new people, new places, and new ways of doing things. There was a day when those things seemed romantic, but now—not so much.

On the other hand, in the last four months we’ve seen the Lord work as we’ve ministered in different places around PNG, India, and Australia. Believers have been helped, unbelievers have been challenged (and some saved!), and we’ve had specific answers to prayer. So all in all, we praise the Lord for His goodness!

…IN THE CLINIC

Since our last letter, we’ve had a lot of transition at Kunai Health Centre. Emma Stout and Marie Bell have returned home to the US after completing their time at Kunai. Chelsea Moorman, Danya Counts, and Kyle & Lauren Murphy have joined the team. We are grateful for each one of them, and only eternity will reveal the full impact they make in the lives of our Kamea people. Fully investing themselves in the medical ministry, they also are acutely involved in Kotidanga Baptist Church and with our people.

Ellie, Marie, Sarah, and Laura-Lee standing with Yaniamo and her family.

Reports from the team include the salvation of Yaniamo, a mom who was medevac’d by helicopter earlier this year. She returned to the village recently, and has since put her faith in Christ.

I never want to forget the great work our PNG national staff does at Kunai. We rarely mention the opposition any of us face on the field—but these faithful believers stand strong and are exemplary in their walk with the Lord, regardless of the troubles they face. Praise the Lord for them!

Using a borrowed big screen to transfer translated text into the Paratext program.

…IN BIBLE TRANSLATION

Checking on the revision of the book of Luke in Kamea resumed today. It was the first book we translated back in 2014, and having learned a lot since then, Pastor Ben and Bro. Yali wanted to work through it again. I’m grateful for Laura-Lee Alford being on the ground at Kunai to walk through the revision and back-translation with these men.

Last month I was able to begin our translation work on the Gospel of John. It is a wonderful book (aren’t they all!) and seeing its truths with fresh eyes is such a blessing!

…IN OUR LIVES

We are thankful for the gifts God gives to men, and even more for those who use their gifts faithfully. Dr. Mitch reviewed Lena’s MRIs and CT scan, and he says she does not need surgery for her neck pain. Dr. Nathan and Dr. Lewis were able to give her increased mobility and some relief from the pain with physical therapy and chiropractic care. We ask that you continue to pray with us for her healing from the constant pain.

In a couple of days we get to drive down the bouncy Highlands Highway to Lae and back for a supply run (3^rd trip there in three months). The road is physically rough on Lena, but she needs to hold face-to-face meetings with medical officers there. When we return, amidst our other duties, we will pack up our boxes again as we prepare for our move to Port Moresby later in May. Sarah Glover is out of the village on a break, and we’re glad she’s here to help us.

Watching the Kamea language “Jesus Film” in the rain on the clinic porch.

It certainly isn’t the romantic part of missions, but it is needful nonetheless in order to transition to the ministry the Lord has for us. We are learning that the best way to lighten our own load is to help others carry theirs. God is always in total control, and when we cast our care upon Him, He gives us His yoke. And as we learn of Him, we find that His burden is easy, and His yoke is light.

All glory to Christ,
John & Lena Allen
2 Thessalonians 3:1

Click here for printable copy

Following are photos of happenings in the last couple of months. (Photo credit to Lena Allen, Marie Bell, Mary Beth Snyder, and historical photo archives)

This young wallaby hung around the house where we stayed in Australia.
Another baby helped through the Baby Milk Program.
Lena was interviewed by Alice Ashwin of NBC (PNG) about the Baby Milk Program.
Chelsea and Danya, ready to fly up to Kunai!
It was a privilege to attend the ANZAC Memorial Day services at Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby. I’m standing next to Phil Parry, one of the deacons of Capital City Baptist. Phil is a highly decorated Australian war veteran.
One of the ANZAC Day remembrances each year is the work of the “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.”
During WWII, especially during the battle of Kokoda Track, these Papua New Guineans bravely carried supplies to the front…
…and carried the wounded out to safety.
This iconic image of their sacrifice to help the soldiers reveals the heart behind their mission.
Michelline Rausi, TB coordinator for World Vision. TB is rampant in our area, and Michelline is a great help in obtaining what we need to treat the patients as we work toward eradicating the disease.
Sarah and Lena flying back to the Highlands.
Enjoying a free day in Australia!
…In case you needed a reminder.

Baby Milk Update, January 2019

Posted on March 23, 2019 by John Allen

BABY MILK UPDATE as of January 2019

We thank the Lord for His provision each year for baby milk for our clinic ministry. In 2018 we purchased 270 cans of formula, serving many infants and young children who are malnourished.

The baby milk program began in 2009, and it has served over 340 children since then. Some of these children are school-aged now, and by God’s grace, they are doing quite well. Here is a progression of one of them:

When Filemon first came, he was very malnourished.
As he got started on baby milk, there was quick improvement!
Here he is about a year later. Praise the Lord!

Maikalin was one of our first milk babies. She is doing great!

This was a post done recently by one of our nurses, Marie Bell. The baby is doing fine now, and is sucking on his own. Thank the Lord for His provision of baby milk, and for His providing such loving caregivers!

2017
Income: $4,180.41
Expenses: $5,341.75
Total cans purchased: 420
Cost per 2 lb. can: $12.72 (price decrease due to exchange rate)
Babies served: 45

2016
Income: $5,715.00
Expenses: $5,638.34
Total cans purchased: 400
Cost per 2 lb. can: $14.10 (price decrease due to exchange rate)
Babies served: 50

2015
Income: $6,875.00
Expenses: $8,280.37
Total cans purchased: 558
Cost per 2 lb. can: $14.83 (price decrease due to exchange rate)
Babies served: 29

2014
Income: $1,320.00
Expenses: $6,468.40
Total cans purchased: 400
Cost per 2 lb. can: $16.17
Babies served: 44

2013
Income: $6,414.16
Expenses: $8,396.37
Total cans purchased: 471
Cost per 2 lb. can: $17.82
Babies served: 58

2012
Income: $627.51
Expenses: $10,446.22
Total cans purchased: 547
Cost per 2 lb. can: $19.10
Babies served: 58

2011
Income: $1,415
Expenses: $5,325
Total cans purchased: 300
Cost per 2 lb. can: $17.75
Babies served: 42

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April 2020

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