Making New Friends

This has been an interesting week. On Wednesday I went down to have my free breakfast and when I had finished eating, there had been a man at the next table who had heard me talking to someone that peak his interest. After I had finished eating, he turned around and joined me at my table. We started talking and shared a little about each other and where we were from and what I was doing on all my travels to so many countries. I told him that I was a Christian and a son of God. He then pulled out a large unniquik silver cross that I had never seen before and he told me he was a Christian also. We talked a little more and then he surprised me with a request for me to pray for him, so I did. It was a powerful prayer right there in the restaurant and then he thanked me with a big smile and then I stood up and said goodbye because I need to catch a ride to an ATM machine to pay for my hotel stay. But before I left him, I place my right hand on thee top of his head and gave him a double blessing. He liked that very much.  As I was leaving thed resturant, a kind young man from the hotel staff started to walk me to the van but as I was going I was attacked by the enemy, satan. I became very weak and my vision blurred and all light areas in my vision became almost blinding. It was scary, but I needed to get money so I pressed on and prayed as the young man helped me walk with every step to get to the van. My vision didn't improve until we got to the airport ATM machines, but I was still very weak and had to rest along the way a few times. I got my money and returned to the hotel and paid for my room. The young man asked ime if I needed an ambulance and I said, no. However, he did walk me to my room which was on the third floor through outside staircases. I thanked him when we finally got there. I had planned on going shopping that morning also, because I was out of most of my food. However, I decided to wait until the next day when I would feel better. When we got to my room I gave the young man all the change I had collected the past couple weeks from my desktop, for all his help that day, which was about K4. He then offered to go with me to do my shopping the next day and take a taxi and stay with me if I needed any help. I accepted. because I felt God had sent this young man to help me during this attack and he showed me a real kindness and thoughtfulness to my every need. He was not expecting anything in return, this was very humbling for me. The next day after I had my breakfast, we went shopping and he called for a taxi to get us to the supermarket. He helped me with my shopping and then got us a taxi to return back to the hotel. He carried my heavy bag of food to my room. I gave him K7 for all his help and had paid the taxi driver K30. These amounts are much less in American money. I invited him into my room and we talked for a while to get to know each other better. I explained my mission and my age when he asked. He also told me his name which is Greg and he was twenty years old, married and his wife is five months pregnant. He gets paid R370 every two weeks, which is about $65 in American or what I have to pay for one night at this hotel. He stays in a dorm with eight other men and his wife stays in another dorm and makes the same amount of money. They have no cooking appliance or refrigerator in their room and have to buy all their food at markets away from the hotel. His apartment next to my hotel which they provide for and the cleaning of their uniforms, that is all, no free meals from the hotel. His father died four years ago, and has a mother whom he tries to visit. He finally asked for a little money which I was glad to give. I came here to help the poor and this is one way that I can do that and I also get the help I need while I'm here too. Greg is a native to this country, but was born on a separate island from this one. He has no religious affiliations, but I believe that will change and I sense he is hungry to know God's love, power and faithfulness. And I believe God will provide for all his family's needs, because Greg is my friend and that is God's desire also.

Unexpected Blessing

I have been in Papua New Guinea for two weeks now and I am still staying at the same hotel that Sharmila and her daughter found online to stay at that was the cheapest hotel available. They also listed a couple others ones that were a little more expensive. I also checked online later for a cheap apartment to rent, but I could not find anything cheaper than where I was staying now. Which is about $60 per night  No one has been able to find me a room to rent with some family that has wifi and A.C. Most people here live without A/C. Temperature here is about 90 degrees and the same for the humidity. In all my travels to different countries I have never stayed in a hotel more than three nights because they were too expensive and I wanted to use the money God gave me to help the poor people. When I was at Ravi's house in Fiji, I wondered where I would find a family that cooked meals for me and became a family that I loved. I was able to help them in a way I had never imagined., even though it was more money than I had spent with others in the past. But I believe it was what God wanted me to do no matter the cost. After all it was His money He gave me to help others. And then when I had to stay in Australia again for three nights in a hotel before my next flight to here, Sharmila spoiled me in a way I could not have thought possible with all her help, food and transportation. What a blessing all these people have been from the very beginning of my journey. Then I wondered about how God would provide for me the next time.After I had breakfast down in the restaurant today, for the fifth day in a row. because I had learned that my stay here also included a free breakfast which is two sunny side up eggs, a different  side of breakfast meat each day, three slices of cucumbers and one slice of tomato, plus a variety of pastries, bread, different sliced fruits, juice and coffee or tea. And every three days I order the House Club Sandwich for K38 which is about $12, that comes with a very large serving of french fries which I make  last for three simple meals. Wow, what more could a person want?. I feel so blessed. This hotel is more like a resort with all its different levels and landscaping. Now they are already decorating the lobby and other areas with Christamas trees, lights and decorations. Oh well, it seems like some things never change, but God is still in control.. When I came back to my room I started thinking about all this. God has provided me with a place to stay, a friendly staff and guests that greet me with a smile and say good morning or evening when I pass them, The room keeper provides me with fresh towels every week, they clean my room, mop the floor and change my bedding. And ask me to let them know if I need anything . Plus they provide me with bottled water and small packets of coffee or sugar. I get free wifi, transportation in a service van to an ATM machine or I can take a taxi when I need to go shopping for extra food to have in my room. However I have to be careful when it comes to taxi drivers. The first one I used was very kind and helpful. He even stad with me when I went shopping and then brought me back to the hotel. He only charged me K55 dollars, but the next taxi driver I use, to go shopping at a closer supermarket, he also saw me give money to a handicap boy, but when I go back to the hotel he wanted a K100 and he had spent less time with me and just waited in the car while I did my shopping. I told him "No" and gave him K50. Then I went into the hotel. As I thought about all this, I began to realize that God was still blessing me even though I am still staying in a hotel and as far as I know I may be staying here until the 17th of November, when I am booked to return to Australia. I even told the staff at the front desk where I pay every three days for my stay, that I still want to help the poor or orphans in the area. But I know that staying at this hotel also helps pay many poor people who work here at very low wages. God knows my heart and if He wants me here in a hotel that meets my needs, then I can live with that and give a smile, love and blessings to all of them. And I still pray for their country. I know God can still change my situation, if He wants to, because nothing is impossible with God. Sometimes I feel a little guilty and sometimes a lot, when I hear about people and missionaries in other countries who suffer and sacrifice their lives to share the Gospel. Yet God knows all His children needs and provides in the way that He sees best for each one., including incredible miracles and visitations at times. So I just thank God each day for His love and blessings no matter the cost for my room or inconvenience or difficulties in serving Him and His children. God is so good.

The Adventure Continues Pt. 2

When I arrived in Papua New Guinea we had to wait about a half hour before departing the plane. because of the weather. I had been seated at the back of the plane so I was the last to get off. When I exited the plane I was hit by a heat wave of humidity, but thank God He provided me with transportation without me even asking. so I didn't have to walk all the way through the airport to get my luggage. A young lading was given to assist me past all the other passengers waiting in line to get through security and immigration. I was treated like a VIP and went through every spot with just a wave and then we waited for my luggage. She helped me with finding and loading my luggage and then made our way out of the exit doors. I showed her where I was staying and she told me to wait there at the curb, where there were taxis and vans picking up people to take to their destination. When she came back we waited for a little while and then a van pulled up that was shrink wrapped with a large Hideaway Hotel ad. She motioned for me to get in as the driver was loading my luggage in the back of the van. I was so happy I didn't know what to say other than to thank her and bless her and give her a nice tip for all her help. I did not have to pay anything for the ride when we got to the Hotel.. Everything had gone very well up to this point. But, that was about to change. When I asked to stay for three nights I was shown a fee much higher and the quote given on line back in Australia The manager came up and I explained and then he honored the quote. That fee would be about $75 per night, which was better than other hotels in the city. But, when I went to pay with my bank cards they didn't know how to complete the transaction. So I offered to pay in cash for one night until I could go to an ATM machine the next day and that was fine with them. My room was on the third floor again but it was not like a regular hotel, but a maze of rooms with outdoor stairs going everywhere and tropical plants and tall trees along the way spread over a large area and there was a swimming pool on the ground floor and a restaurant off the main lobby. My room was nice with an old wall mounted AC but there were no towels in the bathroom. I immediately turn on the AC. I had not experienced this kind of heat before. I had brought some food with me and also had what Sharmila had sent with me. So I was set for a few days. I also asked those at the front desk if they could help me find a room to rent at someone's house and explained my ministry to help poor people. The next morning about 8:30 I was taken back to the airport with a staff member to help me find an ATM machine. But when we got to it had a sign saying no cash was available so we went to another one in the airport and that ATM said the same thing and we talked to a bank guard standing there and they said money would be would be there the next morning. So we went back to the hotel and he explained and I told them I would be staying at least another day longer and would pay when I could get more money and that was fine with them. The staff and house keepers are all very kind and friendly. However, earlier the next morning there was a knock on my door that woke me at 5:46 When I poked my head around to slightly opened door and there was a male staff member with a big smile on his face and I told him to wait just a minute so I could get dressed, but when I open the door again, he was gone. I actually swore, I was so upset. Later that morning, a young female staff member went with me to the airport ATM machine and I was able to withdraw money on both my debit cards and now I had enough money to stay ten days if necessary. I have been sleeping better, and I watch programs on Youtube about people serving God in very difficult situations and at great sacrifices and incredible miracles of God stepping in at the last minute to display his love and power. However, maintaining wifi connection here at the hotel is very challenging, plus I have to enter a new access code every two days. With God's help I will get through all this. because He is faithful and always with me and He has plans for me to fulfill here in the country and all that I go to. I'm just glad to be a part of it despite the challenges, frustration and any other circumstance. It is all meant for our good and He is in control over every aspect of my life and I thank Him everyday and I will continue to trust Him with all my heart and life.