Saturday, 9 February 2013
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Update on donation info: the nitty gritty of dollars and cents
Good afternoon Everyone!
Thank you so much to all of you who came on Saturday to hear and see a wee bit of Papua New Guinea! I was so honored to share my story with you and show you the videos. I had so much fun, and it gets me excited and refuels my passion for what I'm going to be doing when I go back. :)
Thank you to those who have been praying for me and asking how I'm doing: I'm happy and grateful to report that I have a job!!!!! It's been such a blessing to be at Riverview Care Center in Spokane, working on-call. Not only do I get paid (yay!!!! saving money for Australia and Papua New Guinea) but I get to brush up on my nursing skills and be a blessing to the residents there!!!
Even though I'm working, I am still raising support to go (as a full time volunteer) to Australia and Papua New Guinea for two and a half years. Many of you have been asking me how to do that and I wanted to give you an update on the latest info I have.
All of you who are reading this are a vital part of this great adventure. Finances are a part of me returning to Australia and Papua New Guinea but so is prayer and words of encouragement; You may not realize it but even the smallest things such as following my blog is so uplifting to me. So I thank you for any way that you are able to journey with me.
I am so grateful for all of you who are supporting me and you who have been incredibly kind and generous with your finances and donating to the mission I am embarking on. You are not only supporting me, but you are helping to change a nation by bringing much needed health care and hope to those in desperate need.
Currently, because I will be based in Townsville, Australia, what is donated through YWAM is not tax- deductible. For tax-deductible donations, please write a check to
"Father's Hand Ministries"
and leave the subject line blank (VERY IMPORTANT- DON'T PUT MY NAME IN THE SUBJECT LINE) but attach a post-it or note that says "for Christina" and it will be transferred to me. Then please mail it to:
Father's Hand Ministries
4620 A Bellstar RD
Clayton, WA 99110
If you don't need the tax credit, and/or would like to support me monthly, I have direct deposit, or you can make an online donation directly at www.ywamrto.org/payment
I'll keep you updated as I find out more!
Have a blessed week!
Until next time,
Christina :)
Thank you so much to all of you who came on Saturday to hear and see a wee bit of Papua New Guinea! I was so honored to share my story with you and show you the videos. I had so much fun, and it gets me excited and refuels my passion for what I'm going to be doing when I go back. :)
 |
| Christina speaking to primary school, 300 + students |
 |
| Lack of education leaves many people believing "magic" is the cause of sickness and disease. This poster explains "TB is not caused by sorcery, but by contagious germs." |
Even though I'm working, I am still raising support to go (as a full time volunteer) to Australia and Papua New Guinea for two and a half years. Many of you have been asking me how to do that and I wanted to give you an update on the latest info I have.
All of you who are reading this are a vital part of this great adventure. Finances are a part of me returning to Australia and Papua New Guinea but so is prayer and words of encouragement; You may not realize it but even the smallest things such as following my blog is so uplifting to me. So I thank you for any way that you are able to journey with me.
 |
| Christina with happy PNG baby and mom, being seen for well child check and immunizations. |
I am so grateful for all of you who are supporting me and you who have been incredibly kind and generous with your finances and donating to the mission I am embarking on. You are not only supporting me, but you are helping to change a nation by bringing much needed health care and hope to those in desperate need.
 |
| Poverty is devastating to those who experience it, but we want to bring hope as our ship motto comes from John 10:10 "I WANT TO LIVE" |
Father's Hand Ministries
4620 A Bellstar RD
Clayton, WA 99110
If you don't need the tax credit, and/or would like to support me monthly, I have direct deposit, or you can make an online donation directly at www.ywamrto.org/payment
I'll keep you updated as I find out more!
Have a blessed week!
Until next time,
Christina :)
Friday, 19 October 2012
Hear and See a wee bit of Papua New Guinea!
Hey Everyone!!!
I would love to take you on a journey to Australia & Papua New Guinea...
You won't need a plane ticket or sunscreen....
But join me on October 27, 2012 at the
Spokane Valley Library 2pm-2:45pm
I'll be sharing videos and stories of my exciting adventures abroad, as a nurse working on a medical ship.
Would love to see you there!
12004 East Main Ave
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Questions? Call Christina 370-0623
or email christyp20@gmail.com
Friday, 12 October 2012
Brian's Story
Blog Post 10-10-12
Hello Everyone!
I hope all of you are keeping warm, as
I am writing this in a sweatshirt and a steaming cup of tea. It's
hard to think that less than a month ago I was profusely dripping
with sweat in the humidity of Papua New Guinea, praying for a soft
breeze to sweep by. And I will probably be saying something similar
when I go back in January- Australia's summer. But there's nothing
quite like fall in the northwest, the trees slowly morphing from
green to autumn red and yellow with the crunch of leaves under your
shoes.
I first off wanted to say how blessed
I've been to travel through Oregon (and Washington) on a “farewell
tour” to say goodbye to friends and
family before I leave in
January. I received so
much TLC (Tender Loving Care) while I was
there and the many blessings of meals and laughs- it was delightful.
Thanks also to all of you who have graciously watched the videos and
photos and listened to my stories, expressing interest in what I'm
doing, your prayers, advocacy and generous donations! I CANNOT do
what I do without all of you. THANK YOU SO MUCH for standing with me
and being an extension of what I am a part of on the other side of
the world. God bless you!
So last time I left you, I was living
in our first village (Aroma) for 2 weeks in Gulf Province. We then
hopped in a covered truck (with benches- WOOT WOOT!) and rode the 7
hours to Port Moresby to reunite with the other half of our DTS
(Discipleship Training School) joined up with the Medical Ship in
Port Moresby.
(Due to the fact that the ship can only
hold 50 people including crew, volunteers, kitchen staff, etc... at
one time, our school of 24 split into 2 groups and would alternate
locations; Team B in the village, Team A on the ship for 2 weeks,
then switch).
 |
| Brian and his mom in Aroma |
Before I advance to the next adventures
on the ship, I was recently reminded of a tender story I would be
delighted to share with you.
Brian is a 4 year old boy that we had
the great privilege of meeting in Aroma. We first met his mother
during women's fellowship the last wednesday we were in the village,
but we also encountered Brian when our team performed dramas in the
village and played games with the other children along the beach. I
hope you can see by his smile he is a boy full of life, his laugh
reminded me of the squeal of sheer delight of a child embracing the
purity and simplicity of childhood.
 |
| Women's Fellowship, praying for Brian |
The other women in the fellowship
requested we pray for Brian and his mom during our prayer time, as he
was experiencing extreme pain of a suspected broken arm after falling
out of a tree a few days before we arrived. Reports of his condition
concerned us as we were told he wasn't sleeping and would often
scream out in pain being touched or moved. In the U.S or any other
western country, tylenol, ibuprofen or similar painkillers would be
given to ease the pain, however the high cost and limited
availability of the medications weren't an option for Brian.
 |
| Mel, our ER nurse and Brian |
We bowed our heads with heavy hearts
for this young boy in such distress and agony and cried out to God
for His Father's heart to touch this young guy and to help us help
him.
By the second week of our residence in
the village, we began to see more of Brian as his pain was
decreasing. Mel, our ER nurse from Canada, was able to assess Brian
and determine that his arm was almost certainly broken. As a team,
with three nurses, we discussed different ideas of how to help him
and what we could do. Since the fall occurred before we arrived, our
best guess would be that the bone would be beginning to set in
improperly and cause him significant pain and adverse affects in his
future. Therefore we determined he needed to seek further medical
attention, that we were unable to provide for him.
Three days before we were scheduled to
leave Aroma, we arranged transport to travel and reunite with the
ship.
 |
| Team B heading for the city! |
Helen, our leader informed us that since we (as a team) were
paying for transport (it wasn't public) we could invite Brian and his
mom to travel with us to Port Moresby to have an x-ray of his arm at
the hospital! We were absolutely thrilled and delighted to have such
an answer to prayer. It's interesting to note that God knew Brian
would break his arm and need help. And even while we were praying on
the blue tarp that acted as the floor of the church during women's
fellowship, God had already sent an answer: us. We were there at the
right time and had a few nurses to assess the suspected break, and
as a team, the available transport to get him to a proper medical
facility.
Brian was such a trooper and brave little guy; he sat on
his mom's lap for the 7 hour bumpy ride to the city, sleeping
occassionally.
 |
| The bumpy ride to Port Moresby |
We loved having him along and smiled at his delight at
the “lollies” when we shared our oreo rations with him. He was
a particuarly good sport when the trip was delayed by a few break
downs and a tire blowout. When Brian and his mom were gathering their
things to exit the vehicle, I was so thrilled they made it the city
where he could receive the medical care he needed. In that moment,
however, I felt a pang of grief in my heart and tears welled up in my
eyes as I watched them go. This precious little boy who delighted us
with his bright eyes and smile, had charmed his way into my life and
stolen my heart. Even though I'm not a mother, I was amazed at the
capacity in my heart to love that darling boy, wanting to shower him
with hugs and make silly faces together; yet I was facing the stark
reality that I likely wouldn't see him ever again.
 |
| Brian with his homemade sling |
It's so curious to me that I boarded a
plane and traveled thousands of miles, across the world, with the
mindset to help and serve Papua New Guineans. During those two weeks
in Aroma, our team performed dramas, taught health education, led and
spoke at church services- which is all wonderful and much needed.
Nonetheless, that simple act of my team being in the village at that
time, assessing his arm and providing transport was all in God's
gracious plan to care for Brian- and had more impact than any other
church activity we participated in. I didn't anticipate that
assisting a 4 year old child and his mother would impact my life so
significantly. As I reflect upon this event, I realize it was worth
it- Brian was worth it: the mud, the bugs, the heat, the travel, lack
of conveniences.... It was all worth it, for a 4 year old boy to know
that his Father in heaven deeply cares about him and desires to love
him and be a part of his life.
As you can tell from the beginning of
this post, this story wasn't what I was intending to share with you.
But I was reminded of Brian and eager to share this with you, since
so many of your thoughts, hearts and prayers were with me while I was
in Papua New Guinea.
I hope you enjoyed reading this and
that you felt that you were there, that you were a part of this story
because you are: you are a direct extension of what I am a part of. I
cannot do what I'm doing without the love, prayers, and support of
you back home. Thank you!
If you have any questions or would like
to be more involved, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to
email me at christyp20@gmail.com.
Love and blessings to all of you,
Christina
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