Its been awhile......!

It has been awhile since we’ve sent an update out so we just wanted to write a quick note to let you know how the translation is going. We’re actually a week ahead of schedule which is amazing! We started trying to increase the number of verses we were doing each week and ended up totally exhausted last week so we had to slow down a bit, but we are now translating our second last book of the New Testament which is the book of John and the last book left to translate after this is Matthew.

Our goals for this month of September are to finish up to and including John chapter 5. There are long chapters in the book of John and lots of details that are not in the other Gospels – we are loving our study of this book as we work on the translation. How privileged are we that God has entrusted us with this work!

This month is full of family excitement for us: Jubab turned 18, he graduates from High School on Sept 22 and has no more classes after that…..just preparation at home for his HSC exams.

Preparations are getting underway for the end of the year when we are planning to take Jubab to Bible School and then to head back to the field. Boxes are being packed, things being sorted……it is an exciting new step in our lives as missionaries because 30 years ago, God took us to the field to start the work He had for us and now He is taking us back for a new and exciting stage. These next years will fly by as Lord willing we finish and print the Tala-Andig New Testament, travel amongst the churches strengthening and establishing the church leadership and help them work through the increasing changes of the times like internet, facebook, paperwork and many other new things that are quickly coming into their lives.

Well, the translation team in Lapoc is on skype, we have to go and focus on today’s portion of John. 

WE LOVE YOU – our team, our partners in the Gospel, our prayer warriors, our fellow-labourers…….you are just so vital to the work God has chosen our team for over in Lapoc, Cauyunan, Tumpagon, San Aquino, Ricodo……and all the other places. 

32 Years!!!!

Paul and Deb – 32 Years

On June 17, 1982 Paul came to the Bagley house selling encyclopedia Britannica!!! Just fresh from the outback! Buffalo Shooting, Horse Breaking and a host of outback work and just off drugs.

 Paul didn’t know what was ahead of him but GOD did and GOD had a plan! Paul began selling Encyclopedias and sold to a family who didn’t really need them or want them and in the times that followed He got to meet Jesus and gave his heart and life to the One who does not have an origin or beginning, but yet died for us!!

He met Debbie during this time also and began to tutor her in Math’s and Biology and “fell in love” with the girl that

“Grew up in the Jungle”

A tremendous romance began and God set fires in the hearts of these 2 young people for each other!

We were married on August 25, 1984 and O what a life it has been for Debbie and I. It has been “Mainly Good” times with a few rough patches mixed in but God has grown our love beyond our wildest dreams as we have sought to serve and follow Him.

Debbie --- you have stuck it out with me and I love you!! And this morning I wanted to share these memories with those who love us, pray for us and partner with us in Our Great God’s work.

Ps. Debbie does not know that I have written this letter about us  --- But she will see it in her in box when she wakes.

Lots of good news.....!

There’s a lot of good news on all fronts!  Paul’s stepmom is out of hospital, the surgery to remove the lesions from her brain went well and she is making an amazing recovery. The lesion is an aggressive type of cancer but radiation and chemo treatments start soon and Mom is facing this very positively!

My Dad is also out of hospital, has finished his radiation treatments for the tumour pressing on his spinal cord and the pain is manageable now as he is on a good pain management regime. Tonight he is even leading a bible study again in their home!!

We will see in Dad’s next scan if the radiation had the effect that the doctors were hoping to see. We have been so thankful for your prayers and the support and love we have felt through this time has been and is just amazing!!

Ronnie whose wife Aling died last year, and JingJing whose husband Rey died seven years ago, were married in a simple ceremony in Cauyunan last week!

Both of them went through a prolonged sickness of their spouse, both went through loss and grief, both have spent many years in ministry – so they have a lot in common and it is so good to see how God has given them this joy and has brought them together to start a new family.

 Jovanie Cole has a new co-trainee!! The Tumpagon Church sent ChrisJun Daguing to Lapoc last month to join Jovanie in missionary training. Please pray for these two single men, both keen to serve in missions, that they will be equipped and prepared through their time in Lapoc.

Praise God with us that we met our goals for the month of July with the translation – the book of Revelation was completed up to chap 22:10 and this month our goal is to translate Revelation 22:10-20, revise the book of James, start translating the Gospel of John and finish up to the end of chapter one.

We are so, so thankful for your prayers for us – please keep praying as we are seeing God do HUGE things!