Martins' Memos News Briefs |
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| Ukarumpa | Papua New Guinea |
March 17, 1997 |
"Mom is not doing well at all and is not expected to live more than a few hours…" said my brother Jon on the somewhat awkward satellite phone connection. With that I began making plans to return to the USA. Lenore and Jason would remain in Papua New Guinea, while I would go back to attend the funeral and help my brothers settle her affairs. Lenore packed my bags while I worked with the Director’s Staff and Aviation Staff to make travel plans. Since it was after 6pm, and all travel agents in PNG were closed, I had to make my bookings for international travel by satellite phone to Sydney Australia 2,200 miles away. By God’s grace it all came together and I was off to the capital city Port Moresby in less than 12 hours. There I picked up my airline tickets and flew to Cairns Australia where I spent the night. The next morning I flew on to Sydney where I made connections to Los Angeles.
The Lord was very close and my source of comfort during the long plane rides back to the USA. Upon arrival in Los Angeles it was not a surprise to find out that my mother, Jaudeen Martin, had died the previous morning in Phoenix while I was making connecting flights through Australia. She had gone into the hospital on December 12th due to abdominal pains. 33 days later, and after suffering adverse effects from two abdominal surgeries, she died and went peacefully to be with the Lord she loved. I don’t know of anyone who was more prepared to leave this life and go to be with her Lord than was my mother. Even though her illness took her by surprise, she was fully prepared and had all her affairs in order.
We had the funeral on Saturday January 18th in Bellflower, California and the interment at Rose Hills. Joel was able to fly out from Indiana to California to attend the funeral. Even though Indiana was under a "snow and ice emergency" and all roads were closed, his roommate was able to drive him the 90 miles to Indianapolis where he caught his flight to Los Angeles. It was so-o-o-o good to see him again, even though it had been only 5 months since we last saw him in Dallas Texas.
Each time we have prepared to go back to PNG, we have always said our good-byes to my mother knowing that it could be the last time we would see each other on this earth. In the Lord’s divine appointments, that good bye was made back on September 7th just before we returned to Papua New Guinea. I feel so grateful to have had a godly mother who not only gave me physical life but also led me into a living and vital relationship with the Lord Jesus. That is an inheritance that will last for all eternity!
All together, I was in the USA for about a month, taking care of some of the details of her estate. After a few days in Phoenix, a week in Dallas, and more time back in S. California staying with friends and relatives, I returned to Papua New Guinea on February 14th. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see everyone or call everyone that I wanted to while in the USA, but I felt that the trip was very worthwhile. It was clear that the Lord had a limited number of divine appointments for me to make there during that month.
Back here in Papua New Guinea, Lenore and Jason seem to have survived well. It was sure good to get back with loved ones in PNG again!
National translator Charles Kowak delayed his coming to Ukarumpa for about 5 weeks due to my trip to the USA. We expected him to come last week, but there was a strike and the ship he was traveling on was delayed in leaving Manus Island. We are now expecting him to arrive here in the next few days to continue translation work, although sea conditions have been treacherous due to high winds from two typhoons in the South Pacific. We know that the Lord has good reasons for the delays and the rough seas (i.e., more "divine appointments") and we simply trust Him to help us to be faithful in the circumstances he has ordained for us.
As you pray please remember the following praise and prayer items:
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Bill Martin (for Lenore and Jason).