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What lies in store for us? Timothy peers into the Mission House upon arrival in Goroka.

Richard & Andrea Carver

Latest AIM Newsletter:

November 1st, 2007

To all of our dear friends and supporters,

Greetings from the Highlands town of Goroka, Papua New Guinea. Yes, we are actually here, on location, in PNG. After many months preparation and anticipation, the time has arrived. I am sitting in my new office in the Headquarters and Mission House complex, surrounded by paperwork, and immersed in the burden of the church in Papua New Guinea.

We arrived here last Saturday, and were greeted by a crowd of welcomers at Goroka airport. After greeting the people, Bro Koko drove us back to the Mission House (the residence above the HQ office), where we were welcomed with banners and streamers saying "Welcome to Goroka HQ Office - Thank you for coming" and "Welcome Home the Carvers to Mission House". The people have certainly made us feel at home, and are deeply grateful for our prescence in the country.

We too are deeply grateful for all who have made it possible to get this far. Thank you for your prayers and your thoughts, which are a comfort during times of loneliness and isolation. We feel certain that we are in God's will and doing His work. There is truly so much work to be done in PNG, and it is a very overwhelming feeling. New Guinea could easily use 10 missionary families, and more, without duplication of duties or redundency. Truly it is a large field, white and ready for end-time harvest.

Laura & Timothy with two friends they made waiting for the airplane in Port Moresby

The Mission House is actually the house where I grew up, in the town that I grew up in, opposite the Hospital I was born in. There is a story behind it all, which one day hopefully you will read when my Mum & Dad write a book (yes, they want to...). So in many ways it is a homecoming, seeing again some old faces I knew as a child. But in other ways it's different; the church has progressed, and sincerely grateful for my sacrifice in leaving behind the familiar, and stepping out into the unknown. It reminds me of the sacrifice that my parents made over 34 years ago in coming to New Guinea. I am only now learning of the enormity of their efforts in pioneering the field, and how easy it has been for me in comparison (yes Mum & Dad, write that book). I am simply another worker in the chain of missionaries that God has used for Papua New Guinea: Richard & Margaret Carver (1973-1987; 2004-present), Brian & Esther Henry (1990s-2002), Peter & Robyn Gration (2002-present).

Andrea and the children have quickly adapted to life in New Guinea; Laura & Timothy seem to notice no difference, and are just as playful and energetic as ever. We went to church on Sunday, and Timothy couldn't keep still on the platform, wriggling and turning, not realising he was in the adoring eye of many adoring PNG ladies. A lady (who actually used to look after me as a child), came and got him, and took him to sit with her, and boy! did that quiet him down! He sat there as quiet as a mouse for about 15 minutes, until the tears silently poured freely down his cheeks, and she brought him back to Mummy. He was good after that, and fell to sleep on Andrea's lap.

Andrea is quickly picking up the language, and already can understand and speak a few words. She is getting used to the different variety of foods and shops, and is enjoying the range of tasty tropical fruit: Banana, Guava, Pineapple, Tamarillo and Passionfruit to name a few.

Bro Koko welcoming us: "Welcome to Goroka UPA HQ Office. Thank you for coming"

It will take us a few weeks to settle in, and receive our shipment of goods from Australia. In our shipment is much of what I need to assist the HQ office, Bible School, and Bookstore in the administrative tasks as per my job description. Once we receive these, then I can begin in earnest the administration work.

We value your prayers, and ask that you would also remember in prayer:

• Mum & Dad, who are returning to Australia from Deputation
• Bro & Sis Gration, who are currently travelling the USA on Deputation
• Lismore Church and the VanSants
• Cairns Church and the leaders there

May God bless you,

- Richard & Andrea Carver, Laura & Timothy

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