Mibu Project - Short Term Project Summation

Dear Support & Prayer Team,

We're finally back in the States and are glad for that. The trip was a wonderful success! We completed more on the building that we had hoped (see attached pics). God blessed every aspect of the trip, from all of the travel (going through Customs/ making connections etc.) to working as a team and melding with Joey and Brooke and the Mibu people. The experience will prove to be truly a life changing event. We made friendships with many of the Mibu people and really got to know Joey and Brooke and the kids and the Walkers as well.

We experienced many aspects of the Mibu culture from daily life events and sharing some of their home grown foods to witnessing their "Sing-Sing", a ritualistic dance where they dress up in hand prepared leafy/flowery elaborate costumes and strut in circles chanting and drumming (all night long). The Mibu men both young and old participated in the construction of the Language Learning Center (LLC). They learned new skills very quickly and showed each other as opportunities presented themselves. They were good at anticipating what you would need next and were always eager to jump in whenever the immediate task was something that they could do. Thay were sensitive to when we were thinking through a problem and patiently waited until it was apparent that work could resume. I suppose that, in all, the Mibu people did 40-50% of the entire work. They are truly great helpers and workers.

I want to personally thank each of you for your prayers and support for this important project in Papua New Guinea. Even while we were there, a delegation from a neighboring tribe (two tribes away/day and a half hike) came to meet with Joey to ask for help. The need there is truly immense. This LLC will advance the work in Mibu by providing much needed seclusion with translation helpers and fellow team members. We all know that when you can focus, you can finish the task much sooner. Their task there is almost overwhelming, but when it is for God's glory, you can do things that seem impossible. I eagerly await the time when the Mibu people can understand the Gospel and choose life.

Jim Ellis