It’s amazing how much different things can feel depending on your perspective. Things that feel huge today can seem so small in retrospect. Time gone by can serve as that perspective-changer…but an important part of life is learning how to live with a proper perspective on TODAY. How do we deal with the perceptions and feelings that seem all encompassing right NOW?
We all need to keep growing in this, don’t we? As parents we’re trying to teach our kids how to align their thinking with what is actually true; even when feelings about that one, specific, utterly important dress (we definitely have girls!) seems like the only that matters in that moment. Regardless of whether it’s an 8 year old or an 80 year old, the decision is the same: are we willing to submit our feelings and perceptions to what is actually true?
All that to say: we are constantly needing perspective-adjustments as we trust Jesus to establish His church in Konomala. We are seeing amazing things happen in some peoples’ lives. The joy we feel as we see people choose to live in truth is mixed with the sadness and empathy that we feel as we see some others really struggle.
This new life that Jesus is offering is characterized by freedom, grace, and dependence. But to those living in independence and pride, Jesus’ way can seem silly and sometimes outright repulsive. As a church we are in a season of social tension. Some people within the church are feeling a lot of tension because of pressure from within their own family. Others are pulling away because they fear the social repercussions of breaking ties with their old religious circles.
Real life is messy. There are seasons of growth and seasons of struggle. Whether we are the ones struggling or we’re alongside others who are struggling, we have to learn to recognize and submit our thoughts, perceptions, and feelings to the truth. Only as we grow to know God more will we experience the eternal life that He is offering . In faith we can choose to see things from the perspective of eternity.
That’s the choice before us personally as we struggle with our own self-centered independence, and it’s the same as we help other people. We all need to recognize and embrace that Jesus is the only one who can offer true life.
Keep Praying
Pray that we continue to personally humble ourselves and choose to embrace what is true in Jesus.
Pray that our brothers and sisters in Konomala would recognize what is happening in their own hearts. And as they recognize what’s at stake, pray that they would rest in Jesus as their only possible source of life.
Pray that God would give us wisdom as we point our kids and our friends towards things that are true.
KONOMALA 
Hey y’all,
Thanks for the update… good perspective on perspective! Thinking of perspective, we just graduated 50 students from the two Perspectives courses my wife directed here in Phoenix.
Great to hear what’s happening with the Konomala church. Thankful the 81 y.o gent knew Jesus –to think there are Konomala in heaven… that’s goosebump happiness.
Yeah life is messy, life is real –no escaping that but keeping your sights & motivations rooted in truth makes the walk doable no matte how difficult life can be. We were meant to walk although there’s times it feels like a crawl.
Fun seeing your pics. So Hodgdons are headed stateside. Trying to figure out how long you guys have been there –been a while, huh?
We continue mobilizing –whole different game here in the Southwest but things are moving along in our efforts: lots of mentoring, consulting & networking. We’re 47 years in the thick of ministry (43 in missions).
Continued prayers for you guys –Thanks for keeping at your work.
Now here’s wishing you a fabulous day filled with the freshness of God’s faithfulness.
Dave & Joyce Hilt
Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg ________________________________
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We give thanks for your service to our Lord as you work to build His Church in Konomala.
I will use your letter as a guide to pray for all of you as well as the church, God’s children.
Numbers 6:24-26.
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Such cute pictures of the kids!
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Perspectives – so very true! Keep on keeping on with the “big” perspective. Thanks for another great update. Love all the pics & the kiddos ❤
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Thank you for your faithfulness in updating us. We are praying for your families, and also for your friend who is ill. Trusting in our Great Physician!
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I really enjoyed your post ( as always) on living life in the truth. The plain truth is that (truth) is what gives us freedom & hope in eternal life. Enjoyed the pics also…your youngest daughter seems to favor your (Seth’s) mom a little bit. Beautiful family !! God bless you guys !! Love ya !!
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Would it be alright with your guys if I shared the paragraphs below on the NTM PNG social media? And I’d need a photo to share with it, if the photo of Bonnie would be okay? Or I could find a different one or use a different one that you send to me.
Thank you, Summer
“We are constantly needing perspective-adjustments as we trust Jesus to establish His church in Konomala. We are seeing amazing things happen in some peoples’ lives. The joy we feel as we see people choose to live in truth is mixed with the sadness and empathy that we feel as we see some others really struggle.
This new life that Jesus is offering is characterized by freedom, grace, and dependence. But to those living in independence and pride, Jesus’ way can seem silly and sometimes outright repulsive. As a church we are in a season of social tension. Some people within the church are feeling a lot of tension because of pressure from within their own family. Others are pulling away because they fear the social repercussions of breaking ties with their old religious circles.
Real life is messy. There are seasons of growth and seasons of struggle. Whether we are the ones struggling or we’re alongside others who are struggling, we have to learn to recognize and submit our thoughts, perceptions, and feelings to the truth. Only as we grow to know God more will we experience the eternal life that He is offering . In faith we can choose to see things from the perspective of eternity.
That’s the choice before us personally as we struggle with our own self-centered independence, and it’s the same as we help other people. We all need to recognize and embrace that Jesus is the only one who can offer true life.”
Summer Zimmer
Communications Manager
New Tribes Mission
Papua New Guinea
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I so hear you, Seth, Kaitlyn. Real worldview change is a slow process.
Thank you for hanging in there and plugging away even after the initial emotion of the birth of the church. It’s part of the process. Each individual is another battle with the Stockholm syndrome; they were under the enemy’s power for a long time before being set free. But it’s a whole new world out there for them; old familiar ways can be a real pull after the initial emotion. As the baby once “said” of his dirty diaper, “It may be stinky, but it’s warm and it’s mine!” ☹
Un abrazo!
Wayne, for Becky too
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