HEIDI'S HAPPENINGS

Heidi and Dena's Quick Year In Review

2010-01-09T20:59:00.001-08:00

This video has been created as an opening for Community Bible Study in Bozeman, MT. Dena and I hope you enjoy listening to the quick overview of our lives over here in PNG!!! May God bless you in 2010.
Love,
Heidz

EQUIP TRAINING HAS BEEN COMPLETED!

2009-07-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

ONE MONTH BEFORE THE BIG DEPARTURE!!!

LORD WILLING, MY VISA AND FINAL SUPPORT WILL COME IN WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AND I WILL HAVE MY TICKET PURCHASED FOR PNG! IT IS ALL HAPPENING SO QUICKLY--IT IS EXCITING AND OVERWHELMING ALL AT ONCE! :)

I THOUGHT I WOULD POST A FEW PHOTOS FROM MY LAST TWO WEEKS OF EQUIP TRAINING. ALL 23 PARTICIPANTS ARE OFFICIALLY "EQUIPPED" FOR PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. I AM SO EXCITED TO GAIN 'INVESTING' PARTNERS INTO MY MINISTRY WITH WYCLIFFE THAT TODAY WHEN I WAS VISITING WITH GRETCHEN AND MOM OVER SKYPE, GRETCHEN THOUGHT I WAS ASKING HER AND CHRISTIAN TO MOVE OVER TO PNG WITH ME!!! IN REALITY I WAS JUST ASKING HER IF THEY WANTED TO FINANCIAL PARTNER WITH ME AND INVEST IN WHAT GOD IS GOING AROUND THE GLOBE! IT WAS PRETTY FUNNY AND SHE WAS VERY RELIEVED WHEN I TOLD HER SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO START PACKING!!! :)

I HAVE ONE MORE WEEK OF TRAINING IN ORLANDO! ENJOY THE PHOTOS!

LOVE,

HEIDZ

BOB CRESON (THE PRESIDENT OF WYCLIFFE) AND HIS WIFE, DALLAS, HAD US OVER FOR DESSERT!

SHARING MY STORY WITH WYCLIFFE STAFF ABOUT HOW I ENDED UP WORKING WITH WYCLIFFE AND GOD'S HAND THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.LUNCH AT THE CAFE!MY IDENTICAL "PERSONALITY" TWIN IN CLASS - JESSIE! NEITHER ONE OF US CAN REMEMBER ANYTHING! AND....LOVE TO PLAY THE, "WOULD YOU BE MY FRIEND, IF" GAME!!! :) GREAT ART (3-D & 2-D) IN THE WYCLIFFE USA HEADQUARTERS OFFICE BUILDING! THIS IS A PAPUA NEW GUINEA MAN. DOESN'T HE LOOK NICE? :)
ME PRACTICING PHONE CALLS WITH A BANANA! JESSIE AND I DIDN'T HAVE TOO MUCH TROUBLE. WE HAVE MORE TROUBLE KEEPING OUR MOUTHS SHUT AND LISTENING THAN TALKING ON THE PHONE WITH FUTURE PARTNERS AND DONORS! MY KIND OF ART. MAYBE ONE DAY I WILL HAVE A PIECE OF ART HANGING IN THE WYCLIFFE BUILDING!
WE SAW, "FLUFFY" THE LOCAL ALLIGATOR, SWIMMING IN A NEARBY POND. THIS POND IS ON MY REGULAR ROUTE FOR MY MORNING RUN....NEEDLESS TO SAY, I CHOSE A DIFFERENT PATH THE NEXT DAY! YIKES!!!

THIS WAS THE LARGEST GRASSHOPPER I HAVE EVER SEEN. YOU CAN'T TELL IN THE PHOTO, BUT HE WAS LONGER THAN MY POINTER FINGER! VERY COOL LOOKING! HE WAS HANGING OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT DOOR ONE AFTERNOON.

THE CAUSE, MY CALL, AND YOUR CHALLENGE

2009-06-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEK AT WYCLIFFE'S EQUIP TRAINING WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING SO MANY NEAT TOOLS FOR SHARING GOD'S WORK AROUND THE WORLD WITH OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY HERE IN THE STATES! THIS IS A FIVE MINUTE SPEECH I WROTE THIS WEEK AND THOUGHT IT WAS A PERFECT WAY TO SHARE THE VISION! SOME OF YOU WILL RECOGNIZE A COUPLE PERSONAL STORIES FROM MY CHILDHOOD! ENJOY!

LOVE,

HEIDZ

Wycliffe Bible Translators was started by a young American named William C. Townsend. In 1917 he was attempting to sell Spanish Bibles to the Cakchiquel people in Guatemala. During his time selling, he came to the realization that many Cakchiquel people did not speak Spanish, they had their own language. These precious Bibles he was selling didn’t have the impact they could have had if they were in their heart language. In 1919 Townsend and his wife began translation for these people. Ten years later the first book ever published in their language was the New Testament.

Capturing the vision for Scripture in the heart languages of all people, Townsend founded the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) in 1934. In 1942, WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS, a sister, “sending” organization, was established to engage and inform the church back home for involvement in SIL’s work on the field. Our goal has always been to provide at LEAST the New Testament in every man’s heart language.

God has allowed us to live in an exciting generation. Today, there are nearly 6,900 living languages in the world. Out of these, nearly 2,400 still do not have any portion of God’s Word in their language. This represents 200 million people across the globe without the opportunity to read the powerful transforming Word of God in a language that speaks to their heart. But, Wycliffe Bible Translators are on a mission. Vision 2025 is the goal that translation work will be STARTED in each of these languages by the year 2025. For the first time in HISTORY, the number of translations remaining is decreasing. This is occurring because of new technology and fewer language groups being discovered around the world….this goal of seeing Scripture in EVERY language is in reach. You can be a part of HISTORY and see the last languages come to know our personal LORD and Savior through the power of the living and breathing Word of God, through your partnership with Wycliffe.

Do you think God might be leading you to a ministry in Bible translation? The work needs not only translators, but people who are skilled in other jobs as well. Wycliffe provides the necessary training. Right now we could place people with just about any skill or training. I have the unique opportunity to be sent by Wycliffe to teach missionary children in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea. This calling did not just fall from the sky. The LORD has been preparing my heart for oversees missions since before I became a Christ Follower five years ago.

I have always been an adventurous type. When I was little I used to climb out of second story windows to escape naptime and play with the boys in the dirt pile outside my house. As I graduated from college I discovered my love for travel and have had many opportunities to travel to foreign lands, discovering different cultures and diverse needs around the world. In 2006 I went on my first mission trip Tanzania, Africa. After two weeks of construction work, “steeling the guy’s tool belts”, I realized I could have stayed. Life in the jungle was exhilarating and very relational—even if I didn’t speak much of the language.

Shortly after I returned to Bozeman and started filling out an application with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Halfway through I got scared and threw the application away. Following that decision I bought into Bozeman Broker Group and continued selling real estate and going on trips around the world AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE! I knew I was willing and able to GO, but because of my adventurous spirit I wanted to make sure it was God calling me to the field, not my own calling to bring adventure into my life. SO I PRAYED. For two years I prayed for the LORD to show me loudly and clearly that oversees mission work was where He wanted me.

In 2008, following my return from Israel, I received my answer! Although my love for people and relationships had not dwindled, my passion for selling real estate was gone. The LORD opened many doors on a daily basis, sometimes minute by minute, that lead me out of my business partnership and into Wycliffe. It was an exciting time, but not always comfortable.

The need for teachers around the world is immense. Bible translation can not take place if translator’s children do not have education available where the work is taking place. The lack of education for their children is one of the top reasons missionaries leave the field today! Most likely I will be teaching Art at the Ukarumpa International School’s primary campus. There is a great possibility the need for a regular classroom teacher will be greater and if this is the case, I will be more than willing to fill the roll of a primary multi subject classroom. I hope to leave early August of this year and cannot wait to see how God is working in the lives of many souls around Papua New Guinea and continue to allow Him to transform my own heart for His glory.

John Piper says, “There are three types of Christians: The Going, The Sending, and the disobedient. Is God calling you to step out in faith and GO? Wycliffe has over 300 teaching positions alone around the world. Pray about where the LORD may be leading your or your family to serve oversees. Maybe God is calling you to SEND the willing and able around you. Wycliffe members such as me are supported by individuals and families just like you. Most importantly, I need prayer warriors behind me. I am not willing to hop on that plane and head to Papua New Guinea without friends and family praying for me on a regular basis, if not daily basis. I am currently at 85% of my monthly monetary needs. I am still looking for $300 per month to reach my goal. I am so close I can almost feel my plane ticket in my hand. Please pray about how the LORD may be prodding you to support Bible translation on a monthly basis. Every dollar you surrender is an eternal investment to furthering God’s Kingdom. Only two things in this world will last for eternity; God’s Word and people!

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

ANOTHER AWESOME ROOMATE!

2009-06-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

OK, SINCE I LAST BLOGGED (OR AS LOIS CALLS IT, BLOBBED :)) I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A SECOND ROOMMATE! HER NAME IS CRYSTAL AND SHE IS HEADED OVER TO TANZANIA TO TEACH AT THE END OF JULY!!!!! HER CALENDER IS EVEN TIGHTER THAN MINE. WOW!!!!! WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU CRYSTAL--THAT THE "TRANSITION" GOES WELL AND GOOD BYES ARE NOT TOO HARD!

SO, AS YOU ALL KNOW....I DON'T DO WELL WHEN FRIENDS ARE AROUND IF I AM ASKED TO "FOCUS". APPARENTLY ELLEN AND CRYSTAL DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM STUDYING IN THE DINING ROOM. ACTUALLY THEY ARE SUCH GREAT STUDENTS THEY SET UP A STUDY HALL ON SUNDAY NIGHT TO GET THEIR HOMEWORK COMPLETED BEFORE CLASS. I HAD TO SEND MYSELF INTO MY ROOM IN ORDER TO FOCUS LONG ENOUGH TO STOP TALKING AND READ MY ASSIGNMENTS. :)

HERE IS A PICTURE OF OUR APARTMENT STUDY HALL!!!! SUCH GREAT STUDENTS. THIS WAS NOT A SET UP...THEY DID THIS ON THEIR VERY OWN!!!!

THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN BEFORE I SENT MYSELF TO MY ROOM TO FOCUS. :) THIS IS ME AVOIDING OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS IN ORLANDO. INSTEAD I WILL SIT HERE ON THE COMPUTER AND EMAIL EVERYONE BACK HOME, PRETENDING THE DAY WILL NOT COME THAT I HAVE TO SAY "GOOD-BYE"!!!!! YIKES!!!!!!

WE ARE LEARNING A LOT DOWN HERE ABOUT TRANSITIONS--MOVING, SAYING GOOD-BYE TO PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS, NEW FORMS OF RELATIONSHIPS (LONG DISTANCE ONCE), ETC. CLASS HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL SO FAR AND I AM EXCITED TO START SPENDING TIME ORGANIZING OUR "SYSTEMS". I HAVE ABOUT FOUR DIFFERENT SOFTWARE PROGRAMS KEEPING MY CONTACT INFORMATION SAFE....MY GOAL IS TO NARROW IT DOWN TO ONE SINGLE SYSTEM!!! IT WILL FEEL SO GREAT WHEN I AM FINISHED ORGANIZING.

PRAYER HAS BEEN THE MAJOR FOCUS DOWN HERE IN ORLANDO! GOD HAS KNIT OUR HEARTS TOGETHER ALREADY AND WE HAVE ONLY KNOWN ONE ANOTHER FOR TWO DAYS!!!!! THERE ARE 23 PARTICIPANTS (7 SINGLE WOMEN AND THE REST ARE MARRIED COUPLES WITH AND WITHOUT CHILDREN). WE ARE ALL OF THE SAME MINDSET THAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO SERVE FULL TIME WITH WYCLIFFE, SO WE RELATE SO WELL WITH ONE ANOTHER! ENCOURAGEMENT AND SHARING OUR STRUGGLES HAS BEEN REALLY POWERFUL.

THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND PRAYERS. I PLAN ON GETTING A PRAYER LETTER OUT BY THE END OF THE WEEK. LOOK FOR IT IN YOUR INBOX.

LOVE,
HEIDZ

THREE MONTHS LATER!!!!

2009-06-19T18:56:00.001-07:00

HI EVERYONE! FIRST OF ALL....HAS IT REALLY BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE I LAST UPDATED MY BLOG?!?!?! WOW, HOW TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN SERVING THE LORD.

I AM CURRENTLY IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA GEARING UP FOR EQUIP TRAINING AT THE WYCLIFFE USA HEADQUARTERS. I GET TO STAY IN A CUTE LITTLE THREE BEDROOM TWO BATH APARTMENT WITH ONE OTHER SINGLE GAL. HER NAME IS ELLEN AND SHE IS ALSO A TEACHER, SO WE WILL BE HERE AS ROOMIES THE ENTIRE THREE WEEKS. :) ALREADY, SHE PROVIDED DINNER FOR ME TONIGHT. GOD IS GOOD...NO MATTER WHERE I LAY MY HEAD, SOMEONE IS ALWAYS FEEDING ME! :) ELLEN IS SUPER GREAT AND I CAN TELL WE ARE GOING TO GET ALONG SUPER WELL. PRAISE THE LORD!!!! ONE ANXIETY OUT OF THE WAY ALREADY!

WE DO NOT START TRAINING UNTIL TOMORROW EVENING, SO I WILL BE SLEEPING IN TOMORROW MORNING, SINCE I HAVE HAD VERY LITTLE SLEEP THIS WEEK PREPARING FOR MY MONTH AWAY FROM BOZEMAN. BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF SLEEP I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE VERY PRODUCTIVE THESE PAST SEVEN DAYS. I PACKED UP MY ENTIRE HOUSE (WITH BECKY, ANTHONY, AND ARNIE'S HELP), RECEIVED MY WORK PERMIT AND PERPARED MY VISA PAPERWORK, BUILT CLOSER RELATIONSHIPS, :) PACKED FOR FLORIDA, DROVE TO ROCHESTER, FLEW TO ORLANDO, UNPACKED, PAID BILLS, WROTE THANK YOU CARDS, ORGANIZED EMAIL, VISITED WITH FRIENDS, READ THE BIBLE, AND NOW UPDATED MY BLOG FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE MONTHS. WOW!

HERE ARE A FEW PHOTOS OF THE APARTMENT. I WILL BE TAKING PHOTOS THROUGHOUT THE WEEKS, SO STAY TUNED FOR HIGHLIGHTS AND NEW "FRIEND" PHOTOS.

Disaster in Downtown Bozeman

2009-03-05T13:18:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone!

I wanted to share a photo from our Downtown Bozeman disaster. A gas explosion occurred around 8:12 this morning (March 5, 2009) at Boodles. The longer you study this photo the more likely origination of the gas leak and explosion was in the art gallery (Montana Trails) next door to Boodles. It is still unknown exactly how it happened and where it originated. Almost all of the downtown businesses have lost their windows and Main St. is closed from Rouse (east) to Willson (west). The R Bar, Boodles, and the art gallery are completely demolished and there is water and fire damage in multiple areas surrounding these three businesses. At this point there is one individual missing, but very little is known at this point in time.

It's a miracle not more people were hurt or killed. Close friends of mine, Rick and Carla Radovich own Phillips Bookstore (one block to the west of the explosion). Rick was seconds away from the explosion when it occurred. He stopped at Kagy Corner to fill his gas tanks up so he could snow blow in front of the store. (We received about 6 inches of very wet snow over night and the roads have been very slippery and dangerous--many people have been in the ditch and this too has caused difficulty getting around town this morning). As Rick was on his way downtown, he was stopped at a red light on Rouse and Main. If he had not been the first car stopped at the red light, he would have been directly in front of Boodles, with multiple cans of gas in his van, when the explosion occurred. God is sovereign and in control of ALL THINGS and the LORD definitely had HIS hand on Rick and their family this morning. PRAISE HIM!

Be praying for the workers and families that have been affected, the police, fireman, and city workers who have been doing everything they can to handle the situation as best they can. Grace Bible has been set up as the Red Cross location for those who have been displaced (apartments above the shops, etc.).

Thanks for your prayers. It is still too early to know all the details--but it definitely looks like a bomb went off downtown.

Love,
Heidi

RANDOM PHOTOS AND EVENTS

2009-02-28T22:02:00.000-08:00

Hey there everyone! I thought it would be fun to put a few photos on my blog from the exciting week I am finishing up here in Bozeman. :) Mom celebrated her 61st birthday this past Thursday, so that was exciting and we all got together to help her celebrate. Dad made delicious steaks, Erin made a wonderful salad, and I made asparagus and Lava Cakes. The lava cakes were a bigger "hit" than the asparagus even if we had to wait an hour to eat them! :) YIKES, mom's oven was acting up, so it was similar to past Thanksgivings waiting for the deliciousness to come out of the oven so we could devour it.

Tonight (Saturday) I had Anthony Summitt (a friend from church), Pastor Bryan, Bev, and Jeff & Nancy Macpherson over for dinner. It was filled with sweet fellowship and the meal I made even turned out!!!!! Amazing, Dena is usually the one doing the cooking while I set the table and clean the house. :) It was super fun.

After dinner we decided to take a photo of us waving so we could send it over to Dena via email. I have included this photo as well as a couple from our lovely dinner.

Prayer requests for the week:

1. Please pray that I am able to re-send my work permit paperwork over to PNG. I sent it over on Friday, but the file was rejected because of it's size. SO....I will need to re-scan the documents into multiple files and send them separately instead of ONE LARGE FILE. I pray this will take place on Monday morning.

2. Pray for my Partnership Development to continue and that through the time the LORD gives me to meet up with people individually that I would know how to serve their needs and be able to pray for them with a servant's heart.

Have a GREAT week. I plan on handing in my final "CARDBOARD" art project (3 of 3) on Monday, so I will let you know how it turns out. Maybe even post some photos. :)

Love HG

GENO

GENO AND ME

THE PARTY, MINUS DAD! I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE WAS! I'M TAKING THE PHOTO.

DAD--SHARPENING THE KNIVES BEFORE CUTTING THE YUMMY STEAK!

MOM ON THE PHONE WITH ANNA. WE WERE MAKING SURE MOM STAYED OUT OF THE KITCHEN AND STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS HER BIRTHDAY. SO ANNA CALLED HER AND VISITED DURING DINNER PREPARATION TIME. :)

"HI DENA!!!"

JEFF AND NANCY MACPHERSON

BRYAN AND BEV HUGHES

HEIDI GRAF

AND

ANTHONY SUMMITT

A SUPER DELAYED UPDATE

2009-02-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

I'm finally making time to get back on my blog and update you on what's HAPPENIN' in my neck of the woods. In my last post I mentioned that Dena, my favorite friend, had safely arrived in PNG. Well now over three weeks later, she is doing well and learning a ton. Feel free to visit her blog. There is a new post directly from PNG that fills us in on a small snip of daily life for Dena. Her blog: http://www.denaarchibald.blogspot.com/

Most of you probably already know this....but for those who do not, here it goes. :) I was able to get my first "partnership development" letter stuffed and in the mail.

I found out this week that I might get to drive a MOTORCYCLE around Ukarumpa while I live there. Can't you just see me now....zooming around the missionary village waving at everyone I pass and saying hello in "Hawaiian Pigeon" HEHE

Well, maybe it isn't quite this dramatic, but doesn't it sound fun?!?! :) Jan Jenkins and I sure think it sounds like a "riot". :)

This past week, my Art 111 Collaborative Cardboard project was due. I had a such a great team, I felt blessed to work with, the project went over with a bang. Here is a photo of our 6'x4'x3' SCORPION made out of nothing but cardboard (there wasn't even any glue to hold it together).

Part of our grade was the presentation of the cardboard sculpture, so we built it from scratch, while reading a 100 year old story from the New York Post about a Scorpion, a tarantula, and a cobra, and played some great African music in the back ground. It was super fun.

Well, I hope this helps keep you all in the loop a bit more with what is going on in my life.
Here is a copy of my first prayer letter just in case you didn't get it in the mail this week. :)

Have a GREAT week and we will be talking soon. Love, Heidz

Dear Friends and Family!
How do you like the new look? I loved the Bozeman Broker Group logo and colors, but the LORD called me into full time ministry with Wycliffe Bible Translators. The nice thing...I still get to have my favorite color combination (Red and Black) in my logo! :)
I have not communicated with many of you since I moved out of my office and started the application process with Wycliffe. Within these past three months I have: completed the ten page application, passed the Bible Knowledge test, found the “perfect fit” for my overseas assignment, and was accepted as an official Wycliffe Member, January 14, 2009!
Wycliffe is committed to providing access to Scriptures to everyone in the language they understand best. I will be helping Bible translation move forward in Papua New Guinea (PNG) while teaching children whose parents are Bible translators and/or support staff. I am slated to be the Elementary Art Teacher with the possibility of filling greater/more pressing needs in the regular classrooms as they arise (ie. Third Grade).
I am shooting for a departure date of mid August 2009! Between now and then I will be spending my time in: partnership development, completing an MSU Art class for my teaching credential, participating in two Montana Bible College (MBC) classes, and of course my beloved BSF and CBS Bible Studies.
You may be asking, “What is partnership Development?” This is where I get to share Wycliffe’s vision and my part in the fulfillment of this vision with my friends and family. While spreading the vision William C. Townsend started in 1942, I am asking individuals and families if they want to be part of the exciting adventure of Bible translation across the globe by partnering with me in this ministry.
I will be teaching at the Ukarumpa International School in Ukarumpa. www.ukarumpainternationalschool.org Ukarumpa is located in the eastern highlands of PNG (elevation 4921 ft.). The current population of Ukarumpa is approximately 1,000—consisting of a variety of Christian workers, their families, and employees. The function of Ukarumpa is to serve as an operations base for translators, linguists, literacy specialists, teachers, and other professionals.
I would love to have you join me in this endeavor. There are two ways you can involve yourself.
First, you can pray for me; becoming a prayer partner with Wycliffe and myself. Pray that my time management skills would be glorifying the LORD! I will be desiring to spend a lot of time in God’s Word, growing more into His Son’s image, continuing to fill out paperwork for Wycliffe, get my visa and work permit completed, complete my art assignments to my best ability, keep up on reading and writing assignments for MBC, and of course my favorite—(and often the reason I need prayer for better time management) continue building relationships with friends and family while bringing glory to GOD!
Second, you can send a financial gift; becoming a financial partner with Wycliffe and myself. Your offerings will allow Bible translation to continue moving forward around the world. Just think...with your financial sacrifice, it will become possible for God’s Word to be in people’s hands who have never known how to read and write, let alone have the opportunity to read Holy Scripture! It doesn’t get any better than that!
I have included a brochure with my letter. Please look over it and if you have any questions about anything, please do not hesitate to call or email me. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for our up and coming championship TEAM!
Love, Heidi

THE HOUSE IS SURE QUIET!

2009-01-24T19:33:00.000-08:00

Hey there everyone! I thought I better give you an update on the home front. Class this week was fantastic! I am really enjoying all three of them. I am already behind on my reading in all three. Sitting at this computer updating my BLOG is not helping! :)

I received my official invitation with Wycliffe in writing this week. Our departure goal is August 15, 2009! This is just around the corner since I will be applying for a Visa, renewing my Passport, and raising my support. I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running this coming week.

The house is quiet because Dena (my favorite friend) has successfully arrived in PNG for her assignment. I heard from her by telephone tonight and she sounded wonderful. The trip took 35 hours. YIKES! She left Bozeman at 7AM Friday and didn't get to Madang, PNG until 6PM, MST on Saturday. She didn't even sound tired.

I cried a little bit on the phone, but now that I heard from her and know that she is super excited and that the flights were basically uneventful, I feel better. It's hard saying good bye to your FAVORITE FRIEND! But, LORD willing, I will see her in PNG in just seven short months.

Thanks for your support! Have a great week! Love, Heidz

PAPUA NEW GUINEA PHOTOS

2009-01-15T22:21:00.000-08:00

Natives dressed up for a special celebration. I don't know how often the have "special" celebrations. :)

The terrain! There are apx. 900 language groups in PNG. Partly there are so many languages because of the torturous terrain between villages and tribes. As you can see in this photo there is very heavily forested and very steep mountains. The highest peak in PNG is Mt. Wilhelm at 4509 meters (14790 ft)!

The Native People and the tropical climate

Their flag

Ukarumpa is in the highlands close to Mt. Hageno

I thought it would be fun to share a few maps and photos of PNG with you guys. These include a few landscape, native peoples, Ukarumpa-where I will be teaching, and a couple photos of Madang where Dena will be located at the "Pacific Orientation Course". I will also be located in Madang the first 14 weeks of my service for Jungle Training.

I hope you enjoy the photos.

Love, HG

STUDENT UPDATES AND MY ASSIGNMENT

2009-01-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

OK...so a lot has been organized and put into place this week. Wednesday morning after finding out about my accepted application with Wycliffe I hoped into my truck and headed up to MSU. I had not yet received word that my graduate application had been accepted enabling me to attend the Art class I planned on taking for my teaching credential. SO, I decided to just go up to the Registrars Office and ask! THE GOOD NEWS....I was all set up and ready to register for class. All I had to do was attend an Art Studio for 3-D Art Fundamentals.

There are six studios. Within these six studios there were only three open spaces left. Each class allows 20 students. The Monday/Wednesday afternoon studio had ONE space. I arrived to class 25 minutes early like a good "OLD LADY" does :) and thought maybe I could make a good "first impression" with the instructor if she was there early. Sure enough she was there, but so was another guy that wanted to add the class. By the time class started 25 minutes later ALL 19 students previously signed up for the class had arrived and an additional Art Major wanting to sign up for the class (Art Majors get precedence in registering). So, my chances were slim....I was number 22 on the list that only allowed 20! But, I stayed for class and hoped it would work out by some small miracle! :)

At the end of the class the other non-art major had realized the class wasn't going to work out in his schedule after all because of the Friday recitation, so now it was totally up to the instructor whether or not she was going to allow an extra body in the class and push the envelope with 21 students enrolled. I went up to the Art Director's office, talked with the Art Counselor (who wasn't nice at all). She sent me right back out of her office stating the classrooms were too small for extra students and that it was completely up to the instructor if she wanted to let me in the class. I went back down to the classroom and YIPPIE, she let me add. Who knows why, but she said she felt like I was going to be a nice addition to our class! :) I don't even know the girl, but I sure did love her at that moment. SO...after that very long winded story, I am in the ART CLASS!!! YAH!

In addition to my MSU Art class I am all signed up for a Church History Class (1400-Present Day) and Spiritual Warfare in Missions up at Montana Bible College. Classes there are Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I am very excited about these classes, but there is a TON of reading, so I am going to have to set some time aside each week for reading time.

THE BIGGEST NEWS YET!!!!

2009-01-13T18:47:00.000-08:00

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!! MY APPLICATION WAS ACCEPTED WITH WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS!!! YIPPIE!!!! :)

I received a phone call this evening from Dave Lackey, my advisor through the whole three month application process. He shared the good news that my application was accepted and that I would start receiving my pre-field information very shortly. His wife, Linda will be my Pre-Field Advisor. She will help me with my support raising and Visa application. I look forward to meeting her and starting a new friendship.

TO TOP IT OFF!!! Dave also heard from Papua New Guinea this afternoon. They would love to have me for any of the three positions I inquired about last week. I let Dave know that my preference is the ART TEACHER position, but that I would be willing and flexible to fill any of the three open positions once I am on the field.

Thank you so much for your prayers! This has been an amazing experience so far!

UPDATE ON MY WYCLIFFE APPLICATION

2009-01-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

Howdy! I have new news from Wycliffe. As of last night I have been moved up for applicant consideration. Instead of January 28th it is now going to be January 14th!!! YIPPIE!

I have applied for Non-Degree Graduate status at MSU and hope to sign up for class early next week. Classes start on Wednesday, so I will probably be registering the day of class. Strangely enough I am nervous about it. I'm just an old lady up there you know! :)

The other good news I found out yesterday was this: First Lutheran Church would like to find a time where I could possibly share my ministry with Wycliffe with their congregation. I met a couple ladies at BSF and they mentioned the idea...PRAISE GOD! Also, yesterday while I was checking my email I was asked to be interviewed by the Gallatin Association of REALTORS for their April issue of "Realty Review". Isn't this all very exciting!?!? God is working in circles within our Bozeman community that I wouldn't even think about. AWESOME!

Have a GREAT day and I'll be in touch. Love, HG

The New Year--2009!!!!

2009-01-06T20:50:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone! I'm back and I have quite a bit of news for you.

I had a wonderful time with Anna and the kids (Elly, Marvyn, Anthony, and Rico) over Christmas and the New Year. The three big kids stayed with me and we played more games than I think I can ever remember playing in my life. IT WAS A BLAST!

They left on Saturday first thing in the morning, so I headed home from mom and dad's and took down all of my Christmas decorations. Setting up and decorating for Christmas is SO much more fun than taking down, but after about three hours I had everything put away and the whole house cleaned, including the bathrooms. :) GG and Anna will laugh at what I did next.....I re-arranged my living room furniture. It was about time. I get bored with it one way for too long and it had been the old way for about three months already. :)

On Monday I got down to business finding out what I was going to need to do to get my Montana Teaching Credential re-instated/activated so I can go over to PNG (Papua New Guinea) and teach in Ukarumpa. I was a bit worried about it, but GOD IS GOOD and HE has made it very simple....all I need to do is take four semester credits up at MSU and pay $30.00. I can get that banged out this semester....SO OFF TO SCHOOL I GO! I will let you all know what classes I end up taking, but I am hoping to take some upper level administration/leadership courses within the Education field.

I just got off the phone tonight with the Wycliffe Education Advisor/Recruiter and we are going to inquire about three different positions at the Primary School in Ukarumpa, PNG: Art Teacher, P.E. Teacher, & Third Grade Teacher. Right now my skills probably fit best with the Third Grade teaching position. Although the Art position sure does intrigue me. We will see what GOD has planned. I will be praying about it and let you know more soon.

LORD willing my application will be accepted January 28th and I will be able to start "officially" raising my support. This too I will keep you up to date on, as it approaches.

Thanks for checking in and I will be in touch. Love, HG

December 29, 2008

2008-12-29T15:13:00.000-08:00

Howdy everyone! Anna reminded me this morning that I haven't added to my BLOG since I set it up.....YIKES! I guess I haven't taken this blogging seriously enough! :)

Well, Anna and her kids joined us for Christmas and a TON of snow! It has been nice having kids around to work on the shoveling! Elly, Marvyn, and Anthony have been staying with me for the past week and I have had a blast with them. I'm not getting as much sleep as usual (we've gone to bed around midnight every night) but it is worth it!

The last I heard from Wycliffe Bible Translators was this morning. They are going to try having my application processed by January 7th. This means I will be an official member of Wycliffe and will be able to start building my support team before heading off to the mission field. I AM SO EXCITED! I will keep you in the loop---until then, enjoy your New Years Eve and we will see you in 2009!!!! Love, Heidz

MY FIRST BLOG

2008-12-20T22:47:00.000-08:00

HELLO EVERYONE! I WAS AT A CHRISTMAS PARTY TONIGHT AND A VERY FUN COUPLE (JOHN AND SUE) GAVE ME A GREAT IDEA....START A BLOG THAT WORKS AS A JOURNAL ENTRY FOR EVERYONE TO SEE AND READ! SINCE THE REST OF MY FAMILY ALREADY HAS A BLOG SET UP AND USER FRIENDLY, I GUESS IT IS MY TURN TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN!

ONE OF MY GOALS FOR 2009 IS TO KEEP A JOURNAL AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO SO THAN SHARE MY DAILY ADVENTURES WITH ALL OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS AND FAMILY?!?! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR AS I SET OUT TO JOIN WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS IN THEIR MISSION TO TRANSLATE THE BIBLE IN THE REMAINING 350+ LANGUAGES OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA! LOVE, HEIDI