Clay Pots ~ Dates

While out here in Madang town, Malachi came and asked Jason if he would take his training wheels off his bike. First try and he was off totally on his own! He later told us that he talked to God and asked Him to help him learn to do it while he still had his bike. All 3 of our kids learned to ride their bikes on this gravel road here in Madang and all on the same bike. I know it is silly but it sure made this mom’s heart smile to get that little hug from God.

We just wanted to update you a little bit…
~We will be returning to the tribe on Friday to say our goodbyes and pack up.
~We will be selling all that we can to other missionaries to cover moving expenses.
~We are in the process of reserving tickets to return to the States in late December/early January .

Many of you have asked how you can help us. We are truly humbled. We really don’t know what our next steps are other than to purchase a vehicle and find a place to call home. Our heart’s desire and passion are still very much in sharing the gospel and in building up the body of Christ. We know we are coming home during a hard time in the economy and are very thankful for our churches and supporters who have said they will continue to support us until we are on our feet again. Our position in New Tribes Mission will not change for at least another 6 months until we know what our future holds.

We have a huge mix of emotions but the main one is peace and yet a deep sadness at leaving the Tobo people. These next 4 weeks are going to be extremely hard but we are so thankful for God’s ever loving arms around us.

His Clay Pots,
Kellie for Jason, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Change

My desire is to explain to you some changes that God is making in our lives. We have been out of the tribe and living in Madang town for the past 2 weeks. As you all know, we have been struggling a lot these past few years. We felt that God had sufficiently healed us during our time on Home Assignment, but my family has been buffeted by the enemy spiritually, emotionally, and physically even since we have returned to Papua New Guinea, and then these past three weeks were even more difficult. We are in a very real battle, and in this battle, we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but we are fighting against a very real and very ruthless, cruel, and inhumane enemy. As the husband, I could keep “fighting the fight of faith”, but I have come to realize that my family is no longer able. My family has been in the battle a long time and are feeling the consequences… they are wounded and need to heal completely. It is not that we don’t want to continue; we do, but they are injured and the Medic of our souls is taking us back to heal. Therefore, because I believe that God has given me this family to shepherd, love, and protect, I believe that He is clearly directing me to take my family back home to the U.S. We are looking at leaving the tribe and returning to the States in January. We are not quitting the team in Madang, PNG and we are definitely not quitting on God or despairing of Jesus love for us. We love everyone whom we have served with and labored with over the years and will miss them all dearly. We are so very thankful for our mission, co-workers, elder board, churches, friends, and family back home who have supported us and loved us through the years and through this decision making process. They are all in agreement with us that this is a wise and loving decision.

We will be returning back to the tribe to close up our home, sell all our possessions, say goodbyes, and leave the church with encouragement and hope. We rest in knowing that the Tobo church is God’s church and He alone will build it and bring it to completion. The Holy Spirit is working in their lives, and we rest in God’s promise that he will complete the work which he has started in them. We count it a privilege to have planted a church, with your support, and we know that this church will grow, be strengthened, and reproduce.

Pray for the Tobo believers that in the remaining time we have with them that they will understand why we are leaving and learn in an even deeper way, to depend on Christ for their all. Please pray for my family, that we can help our kids through this time as they lose their home and friends and as we have few answers to their many questions. Pray for faith for us as we go back to the States with no home or vehicle, and without the knowledge of what God will be having us do in the future. We are following God’s leading, and although we see how he has been preparing us for this over the past few years, we are still walking by faith and not by sight in this decision. We do, however, have complete peace knowing that we are in the hands of Almighty God and that he has never let us down, and he will not let us down this time either. He isn’t done with us yet, and his plans are far better than we can imagine.

We are praying for you. That you will be encouraged in the work that you were and are a part of, and that in this decision of ours, that you can (as our Pastor said) “Remember you are loved without condition, accepted without requirement, forgiven without limit and served without reward – this is grace.”

We will keep you updated as always,
His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Encouraged

This picture was taken while we were out in the town for a week in Madang, PNG for our mission’s annual conference. The sun was warm, the fresh food was in abundance, and most importantly the fellowship and worship was plentiful!

We have since returned to the tribe and yes, things are still difficult; I think that there will always be heavies to deal with. BUT we are encouraged as we see the hand of God moving in his people. We have seen repentance, forgiveness, and a desire to worship, pray, and read God’s Word together. We have seen the believer’s start praying for the ones who have left and encouraging them to return. We have seen 2 believers return to fellowship this week due to the church’s love and prayers! The men and women have started to meet during the week again to pray and review Paul’s words to the Romans which we learn on Sundays. The Tobo church, of their own accord, has even decided to take up offerings to give to those who are in need! It thrills our souls seeing the believers give what little they have and truly sacrificing to help their brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need. That is what the body of Christ is all about!

God will be faithful to complete the work which he started with the Tobo church. He will do it in his time. And we know that whatever he does will be perfect!

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ more

~ We took Malachi to see the doctor on Monday. Thank you to all who were praying about this decision of ours since we were a little apprehensive as to what we needed to do for him. We were assured that, although he will need surgery again sometime in the distant future, as of right now, there is no pressing or urgent reason for us to take him home for surgery. So we get to stay together as a family!

~There have been 3 more deaths in the past couple days. A pregnant lady went into labor and didn’t deliver her baby right away. Five days later, her family took her to the clinic and her baby had already died. She died a few hours later. It was heart wrenching to see her body lying there with the baby still in her stomach. Another lady, an older one from another village, passed away a day later. People are starting to talk… some have asked, “What is going on? Is this the hand of Satan or is God trying to get our attention?” Pray for the believers as they answer the questions of their clan members and that they would have more opportunities to share the hope they have in Christ. Pray that hearts will be softened and the unbelieving will find the hope (Jesus) that they admit they do not have.

~The past few days, we have been approached by a number of people trying to sell us rocks. Someone told them that we would buy rocks and give them $ for it. It is a thinking and belief most probably associated with the cargo cult. Strange, but still it has been a good opportunity for both Jasons to tell them again that we are here to tell them about Jesus… and ONLY about Jesus, because HE is life and peace.

Some days you go to bed at night and wonder what was accomplished… Only God knows. We have only been back for 6 weeks and I feel like such a failure because I am already spiritually and emotionally worn out. I was hoping it would take a couple years for me to get to this point. But God! I am learning that in him and in him alone I can find joy and peace because I know that he loves me and accepts me.

Thank you for your prayers!
His Clay Pots,
Kellie for Jason, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi