An answer to Noah's prayers

An answer to Noah's prayers

The book of James tells us that, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" and I believe this applies to believing children as well.

From the first day that Noah, our soon-to-be 7-year old professed faith in Jesus, he has been praying nightly for a baby brother or baby sister.

Our Father does, indeed, seem pleased to answer the prayers of his people (Matthew 7:7-11;18:19; 21:22; Luke 11:9; John 14:13; 15:7,16; 16:23-24; Philippians 4:6; Philippians 4:19; James 1:5; 4:2;1 John 3:22;5:14) especially the unpretentious prayers of those who follow him as little children, fully trusting in His promises.

When Perpetua was finally born, Noah literally jumped up and down ("YIPPEE! We have a baby!!") and now he always wants to hold and cradle the baby and thanks God every night for her in prayer.

Alethea wants to comb the Baby's hair and fix it up when she gets more hair in, but for now Alethea is content to make togas out of garbage bags.

WELCOMING OUR NEW BABY GIRL

WELCOMING OUR NEW BABY GIRL

PERPETUA FELICITAS JOHNSON

Perpetua, born on 16 September at 0820, weighed in at 3.9kg (8.6 lbs...yes, a big baby) and has very good lungs and doesn't look overly much like an alien.

 

Why the weird name?

 

Okay, here's the reasoning behind the arcane naming:

 

Not only because our last name Johnson is a very common name, but chiefly because we feel that names should matter, we have chosen the names of two early Christian martyrs, Vibia Perpetua and her handmaiden Felicitas, who, at a time when it was illegal to profess faith in Christ, chose not to deny their Lord. Upon the pain of death, they chose their Savior over any of the comforts of this world and suffered martyrdom in the Roman arena.

The Puritans often named their children after the cardinal virtues such as Patience, Constance, Charity, and so we, too, have chosen a name which will constantly remind our daughter of the meaning of true nobility.

Our first son we gave the name Noah, a preacher of righteousness who followed God despite the whole world going astray. Our daughter we named Alethea, the Greek word for "truth" found in the New Testament. Noah and Alethea both gave the names "Rainbow" and "Sunshine" to the two miscarriages that did not see the light of earthly day but woke up only to the light of heaven. Now. we welcome Perpetua Felicitas Johnson.

In an age where honor matters little and many will sell their good name for material comfort, the noble example of these dignified women, who sacrificed all for the glory of God, is a needed reminder to us. Whereas the record of human history is a history of human cruelty and violence, men killing others for mere material gain, may the noble example of Perpetua and Felicitas provide a constant reminder to our daughter concerning the ideals of true dignity and Christian sacrifice.

'In this trial what God determines will take place. We are not in our own keeping, but in God's.'

- Perpetua's diary

-
Hebrews 11
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country...they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

... By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

...Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

 
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

More great pics from our Mamberamo trip

The round hill on the far bank of the river is the subject of Fuau mythology; a flood carried it from Fuau to here, near Dabra, and now only Fuau-speakers can get pigs when hunting here.

Trevor speaking at conference

Alethea Conference pics

Alethea with friends, Alethea getting her face painted, Alethea dancing the Hula and Alethea with her monkey mask.

Another river trip

Waiting for the plane

Teaching when we have the opportunity.

Also, seeing local pets.

Also, we had to drain a little fuel - the kids said that the airplane was peeing.

Visiting a WWII Base

This is where General Douglas MacArthur based from as he chased the Japanese back north in his new Guinea campaign.

At the bottom of the hill was a rest and recuperation place, now called "Hawaii Village" because it reminded American troops of what Hawaii looked like. Some of the WWII Quonset huts are still in use. My grandfather was here briefly, too.

Cerebral Malaria in the village

We are praising God for Ledipena's recovery.

Backstory:

Tuesday the wife of Endiles start seizing up from severe cerebral malaria at 0530. The seizures grew bad, she was unresponsive, very hot and with labored breathing (it was her 3rd day of sickness at that point and the second day of no food or drink).


We live in a very remote region: We found out there was no heli, and the floatplane is in inspection and the nearest is 2 days downriver, and the weather was rain. So, no way to evac! And she wasn't stable enough to tolerate the travel. We felt very trapped.


We started an IV and infused the WHO Standard high loading dose for severe cerebral malaria. For tuesday and Wednesday her breathing was labored and she had many seizures it looked several times as if she was beginning to decompensate and die.

At one point her breathing was becoming more and more labored and her seizures were very frequent and we thought she was dying. I exited the room and told Teresa that the lady was beginning to breath her last - but then the Dani evangelists gathered and prayed... and her breathing actually normalized again as they prayed. Amazing.

Early wednesday morning we ran out of IV quinine and fluids. And this at a very critical time.

NOTE: We have enough meds for most cases of most things, and we had enough iv quinine and fluids to stabilize a patient and get them out to Wamena....but not enough meds to keep and treat a critical patient totally for an extended length of time in the village. So, we were prepared. But it was bad timing to try to medivac a patient from Danowage with no heli or floatplane.

MAF air-dropped the meds (flew low over the village and pushed out the padded boxes containing meds - only 2 iv bottles broke but the rest of the meds were recovered intact). This allowed us to continue the quinine dosing and IV fluids (she was severely dehydrated when he found her). We tried an NG tube to deliver meds another route, but too many seizures and she reacted violently.

UPDATE:

She is now improving!

Thursday the seizures decreased and we were able to put down a nasogastric tube to start feeding her and to open up the possibility of giving other meds besides just Intramuscular injections and Intravenous IV meds.

Friday morning she began to improve, follow us with her eyes. Then she began to cry for her children. Then talk a few words. We continued iv fluids, meds and oralit and oatmeal through the ng tube.

Now she appears to be recovering. Her mental functioning is slowly coming back.

You say papeda, I say pap-a-dah......

Some good jungle eatin' right there......

Not sure if the consistency is more like glue or snot.

Papeda is from the sago palm tree and is a lowland jungle staple here. I try to fit in with the culture and eat what they eat, but....BLECK.....I still hate this stuff!!!

Sunday Morning in the M River Region

The sermon was on the woman who poured oil on Jesus' feet.

The tithe was fish and yams.

And then we prayed for the sick after the service (and told the kid with the cut foot that plastic didn't make the best bandage to keep the wound clean and dry).

Teaching at night

Even at night, locals may want you to teach (though by the pic of the sleepy kid on Danielle's lap it is clear that staying up is a struggle for some).

Crocs

Croc season is upon us.

Plans move forward for new and bigger croc pens.

Another trip into the M River Region

A good view as we take off and leave the airport in Sentani.

Me and Noah listening to speakers

We had our Asia Conference in Bali and here we are listening to a speaker.

Bird Park with the kids and the grandparents

Everybody's gotta have their picture in the customary bird-on-the-head pose.

Noah and Gramma

Eating lunch overlooking Mount Batur and Lake Batur in the distance.

The grandparents came to visit for two weeks.

Another Bali Temple

Vacation in Bali

This is the inside of a temple (note the offerings in the middle between the statues - apparently the gods are vegetarians, I would have ordered a steak).

Bali is a Hindu island.

Pretty freaky to go out to eat and have your waitress interrupt your service to go offer sacrifice out front at the statue.

Alethea bouncing on bungees

Ali loved the Bali Funworld and loved bouncing up and down on the bungees.

Bali Vacation 2

Me and Noah fought the joust (and I lost a few times...for real...Noah's quite the little Knight).

A Bali Vacation 1

We were able to take a week of vacation last month. Here we are at Bali Funworld...lots of padded and bouncy stuff to play on and bungees and ropes to swing from.

Mamberamo River Trip