‘You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday (Psalm 91:5,6).’ Oh, how my family and I have needed these words these first six months of 2023. After returning to Papua New Guinea following […]

‘You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday (Psalm 91:5,6).’

Oh, how my family and I have needed these words these first six months of 2023. After returning to Papua New Guinea following the birth of our second child in Toowoomba, our lives were spun around just before Easter.

My mother-in-law passed to her eternal home. To protect those involved, I speak indirectly. Grief often leaves us in a state of confusion. Furthermore, the hurt and pain of a hidden nature bubble to the surface and reveal themselves in long-held resentment. Anger follows. Blame begins to rear up in the minds of people. Accusations fly like arrows. The shadows, those places behind our backs, become a pestilence and threats see the light of day.

Our Lord enters this mess and begins to clear the air.

‘He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler (Psalm 91:4).’

His faithfulness, not mine, is a shield.

During this grim period, I questioned the safety of my family. Was my time in PNG coming to an end?

He indeed has protected us, and we pray will continue to do so. After all of this, somehow now, I find myself in Fort Wayne, Indiana, studying a PhD in Missiology at Concordia Seminary. I was accepted into the program earlier in the year, a long-awaited journey had arrived. My heart didn’t want to leave the family behind for any length of time, let alone the almost three weeks I would be away. But the Lord is faithful.

The study has been brewing in the background for quite some time. I am indebted to Pastor Matt Anker for his encouragement to seek out study opportunities. By the grace of our Lord, a scholarship was awarded and funding was provided that enabled me to come here. I now learn in an intense way about the sending church and its activity. What a privilege it is to be involved with such a program! To take the name of the Lord to the ends of the earth. What great promises he has for us.

‘I will protect him, because he knows my name (Psalm 91:14b).’

This story was also published in the August 2023 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

If you would like to consider the opportunity to donate to Mick Hauser, who is serving as a lecturer at Martin Luther Seminary in Papua New Guinea, you are invited to go to https://lcamission.org.au/donations/index.php/png.html and select ‘Mick Hauser (Missionary) – PNG’ from the list of projects.

For more information about Mick Hauser, go to https://www.lcamission.org.au/about-us/who-we-are/countries/papua-new-guinea/papua-new-guinea-mick-hauser/