It is hard to believe that we have been home over 6 years now. So much has changed… I celebrated 2 years as the local mission pastor at Elmbrook Church, Kellie has been working for 2 years at a local charitable foundation, the 2 oldest kids are in High School, Malachi is in junior high, and we have adopted Hezekiah (now 2 years old) out of the foster system! (This was the year of the #2)
For many years, you prayed for us, supported us, visited us, and encouraged us as we ministered to the Tobo people of Papua New Guinea. We did not leave under the best of circumstances, but God has been faithful to heal the wounds and begin the process of reconciliation. After much prayer and patience, we have decided that at the end of April, Micah and I will be heading back to PNG in order to reunite with our co-workers, the Mankins, and to travel back into the tribe. I have been communicating with Chad Mankins lately, and he is excited to have us visit. His family moved out of the tribe and settled in town where Chad continues to plug away at the translation of the NT, which is going very well.
Our plan is to travel into the tribe with Chad for a few days of conversation and fellowship. I am not certain as to what kind of reception we will have, but after a handful of failed attempts over the past few years, I sense that this is the right time for us to return. The hopes for this trip would be at the very least, to reconnect with old friends, share stories, and put closure to our time there. The best case scenario would be to gather as many of the believers together as we could and see the church healed and reunited. That is asking a lot, but then again, I’ve seen God do more amazing things than that in the past.
Because you were so invested in this ministry, I am writing to ask each of you to pray for us. Pray for a good reception. Pray for healing conversations. Pray for reconciliation. I know that our leaving probably hurt a number of people, so pray for receptive hearts. And most importantly, pray that we would be able to encourage and promote the ministry of the Mankins there in Toboland. They have had a number of set-backs over this past year, and I’d like our visit to be a shot in the arm for them.
Some have asked how they could give a gift towards this endeavor, for this, we would be grateful, but because this is not considered a group mission trip, I will not be able to provide a tax deductible receipt.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for keeping us in your prayers.
His Clay Pots,
Jason for the Knapps
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