Christmas Eve in Buka Island PNG

Michael & I are spending our first Christmas away from home and family, but God has surrounded us with His love and friends here at the centre.  We shopped in town for bread (we got the last loaf), for homemade stuffing, bought a small chicken, and because of all the care packages we will even have homemade chocolate and pecan pie!  The amazing part is His Story!  Not the place we are, or the gifts we have, but the reason He came to earth!  For you and me, His abounding love for All.  

Share Christ love and Good News This season.

Merry Christmas and a Christ filled new year!

We Are Here at Buka Island

It has been a full year that we have been preparing to be here at Buka Island serving the Bible translators,

assisting in Bible translation.

We have visited 6 out of 8 Regional Centers

and are ready to get to work

What a thrill to be able to sit in the co-pilot seat during our travels.
It has been a amazing journey to be in the will of God!





Cheryl  arriving at Buka Island



I am in awe at the creation of the LORD!
This is the view from the Regional Center.  We are about 200 feet above sea level perched upon a cliff.



I sometimes ponder on all His creations.
This is my lovely wife Cheryl.  She certainly makes the flowers blush.



It's good to find reliable transportation on the Island.
I think the alternate fuel may be someones sence of humor.



The center offers many challenges. 
Solar collector for hot water, rain water for drink and shower.

Keep us in your prayers as we transition into our new positions





Impacting Those Around You

 Rain did not prevent us from starting our 5 week stay with the Baye family.  They had taken the time and built us a new home from materials from the jungle.  They live like 85% of the people live in Papua New Guinea...so that's how we lived for 5 weeks; no power, no running water and no screens.  Praise the Lord for all that He did provide!

This was the first moments that Cheryl and I came into the Village of Omuru.

They were excited to see us but unsure of what or who we were.

This is the last day...We were all loaded up.  We made so many friends and formed many lasting bonds

We showed the Jesus Film in Tok Pisin and there were two friends that came and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior

This is our Wasfamili (Foster Family)

Waspapa Mey, Wasmama Gabol

Lessi, Venesa, Marian, Ellison and baby Emily

With rain every night there was plenty of water we had to walk through

The people of the Bolbul were friendly and so encouraging in our Tok Pisin studies

Another night of rain and we had to wait 2 hours before we could cross.

Thank God for the help of villagers

Tired, muddy and ready to get back to POC

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement.

We are ready now for village living which will start this Friday October 5

We will be out of pocket for 5 weeks and will repost November 8

God's best to your all

3 Day Hike Encourages Relational Skills

Three days and plenty of rain made this a remarkable journey into the bush.

Sunday Service at Nobnob

What a mighty God we serve~!!!

Church at Nobnob was a treat here at POC this last Sunday.  We had an opportunity to meet the local people that live on the mountain.  This beautiful church, way atop Nobnob Mountain, was the setting for us students at POC to sing “Dispela De” [This is the Day] and for us men to introduce themselves, wives and their family in Tok Pisin.  Boy was I challenged J

We are learning so much here about the people, their culture and their history.  In Papua New Guinea today most people have outdoor kitchens where meals are prepared.   We are currently building an outdoor kitchen for me and Cheryl.  It is called a Haus Kuk.   I have built the structure using materials taken from the jungle and am now building our table with benches.  This Saturday and Sunday, Cheryl will be cooking all three meals over an open fire in the Haus Kuk.  The kitchen where we normally have our meals here at POC will be closed and off limits so there goes the use of a refrigerator.  The other challenge is to get the food we need from market.  Now normally going to market means going up to Publix and grabbing a roaster from the Deli, but here in the “Land of the Unexpected” Cheryl and I will be hiking down the Mountain…about 4 kilometers and catching a ride on a PMV…[Public Motor Vehicle]  and hitch a ride into Madang to shop…of course we have to come back the same way and hike back up the Mountain…about 2300 feet above Madang and the ocean.  The nice part is that in this culture the women carry all the groceries, firewood and babies, while the men walk with them with a bush knife and protect them.   I’ve promised to protect her and that she won’t have to worry about no baby….just kidding of course but we do have to carry the groceries up ourselves.

Boy I love an adventure.

Keep us in your prayers as we navigate these days in training to learn Tok Pisin

Pray for patience as we adjust to living in community

Pray for the health of the children [28] with 6 under the age of 1

Pray for the staff as they lead us into unfamiliar territory

Great Seeing Family

Wewak was a wonderful place to find ourselves first introduced to the People of Papua New Guinea.  The people are warm and friendly and Keith and Angie paved the way with their ability to talk to the locals.  It stirred in us a keen desire to learn to speak Tok Pison with the local. 

There are more photo's on the way... keep us in your prayers.

Road Trip Papua New Guinea Style

83 miles out and 83 miles back we went out to deliver supplies and people to the Island of Bam.  Captain Keith, Cheryl's brother and Lauren, our niece start out on this epic voyage.  Volcanicly formed these islands and with little beach and the people come out to gather our goods

The journey home brings the most unexpected friends into our lives

For about an hour this family of dolphins played about our boat.  To watch them jump and dive and swim helps me understand the wonder of what God is doing in our lives.

First Look at Papua New Guinea

                                Beautiful blue water give way to smoky dry jungle as we settle down to Port Moresby.
                           Here in Port Morseby it is their dry season and a time that the fields are burned for planting.

We Made it to Wewak

On our way to Church in Wewak with our niece Lauren, Cheryl's brother Keith and Angie, Layla and Lexie

Onward to Las Vegas to be with Family

Brother Timothy, Sisters Michelle and Holly and my mom, are pictured here at mom's home in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It was great spending time with everyone. 

My sister Michelle and my mom have been major supporters of Cheryl and I as we prepare to go to the mission field. 

Pastor Matt Smith of Mountain View Baptist church, was gracious in his encouragement to Cheryl and I.  Their church actively supports missionaries all around the world.

Las Vegas is like a lot of places...filled with people who love and walk with the Lord.  It is also a place that offers all that the world has to offer.  It is a place where grandchildren die and where good people lose there way.  Praise the Lord that He calls each of us to walk with Him.  Praise God that He redeems the lost.  Praise God that the mission field is next door...down the street and across the world.  Not trying to be too deep, merely reflextive.
Las Vegas is a huge mission field, filled with a cross section of America.  Praise the Lord for people like Pastor Matt who have a heart for the lost and the wisdom to disciple them.

Pray for us as we continue our journey.

First Stop Montana --

How much should we love?

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Stepping out in faith only happens when we give up our own authority.

Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

How much should we love?

August 5th we will start our Pacific Orientation Course

PRAISE THE LORD!

Praise the Lord our Visa's were received on May 31st!  On our day of fasting and prayer!  We are approved for service in PNG through April 2015.  Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!

He alone is worthy to be praised!

Psalm 48:1  "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised"

There Was a Man Sent From God, Whose Name Was John

This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  John 1:6-8

Papua New Guinea is a very dark place...but the light is beginning to shine in that place. God's Word is being translated into the heart language of the people that live in PNG. There are still many who do not have a single verse of Scripture.

Cheryl and I are still looking for Partners in this great adventure.  If you know Christ and would like to grow in Christ and to show Christ love, we want to invite you to join us.

Come and be a part of Bible translations by praying for us, by financially supporting us or by becoming involved in mission work with Wycliffe Acssociates.   Come be a part of what God is doing. 
www.wycliffeassociates/links/donatenow

Please continue to pray for us!  God is moving Mightly!  

II Corinthians 5:15
"and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for HIM who died for them and rose again".

Click on the link below to read a recent article written about God's call to His Ministry!

 Allvoices.com http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12129249-missionary-couple-from-plant-city-florida-headed-for-papua-new-guinea 


Going for HIS Glory!

And The Birthday's Just Keep Coming

It's a strange realization when you begin to only see the fire instead of the cake.  So much wasted time in my life that I know I will be held accountable for...but He redeems the time when you finally turn and give your life to "The One Who Is Worthy", Jesus Christ.
It is only because of His sacrifice that we even have life.  I can truthfully say that I was dead. 
And He gave me life.  So, what I have left I give to Him.  
We are so excited to serve the missionaries in Papua New Guinea in a tangible way that furthers Bible translation.

...I have purposed it; I will also do it Isaiah 46:11

Each day as we pray seeking to raise up His Will and Ways in our life, He knows the plan.  He wrote the story, we are simply asked to TRUST HIM ALONE!  

Isaiah 46:9-11 

Remember the former things of old, 

For I am God, and there is no other; 

I am God, and there is none like Me,  

Declaring the end from the beginning, 

and from ancient times things that are not yet done, 

Saying,  "My Counsel shall stand, 

And I will do all My pleasure," 

Calling a bird of prey from the east, 

The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. 

Indeed I have spoke it; 

I will also bring it to pass.

I have purposed it;

I will also do it. 

HIS purpose, HE will also do!  What a fantastic promise!

Buka Training Center and Kitchen

What are you going to do on Buka Island?

From: DO-DARC Div Admin Reg Centres (Mark Van Rossen)
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 10:28 PM
To: Michael & Cheryl McDaniel
Cc: DO-DARC Assistant (Lorene Van Rossen)
Subject: RE: Hi to you from Ukarumpa

We are also praying for you as you do your partnership development, and Lorene and I have committed to praying for you and Michael, and for all of the PNG Regional Centres, managers, staff and incoming managers every morning before we start work.

As for a brief bio on the role of a Regional Centre Manager, where do I start without scaring you away?  The Regional Centre Manager is EVERYTHING!  If the Plumbing breaks, the hot water system fails, the gutters rust out, the water pump breaks down, the tap washers leak, the drains get blocked or the septic overflows, you are the person people go to.  If the Computers break, the email is down, the server crashes, the anti-virus definitions are out of date, someone needs a new laptop or the computers need upgrades, you are the technician (or you know someone who is).  If the Electricity fails, the light globes blow, the solar water heater fails, the backup generator fails (or needs servicing, fuel or parts), people look to the Regional Manager for a solution. If the staff, students, teachers, guests, translators or visitors have a problem of any kind, the Regional Manager is the go to person – day or night (usually night for some obscure reason – I’m sure they secretly plan it).  If there is a security incident, a vehicle accident, a military / political coup (just had one two weeks ago), or a medical problem ranging from headaches and childbirth to broken bones and funerals, the Regional manager usually finds out first and is the person everyone expects to have all the answers.  If the vehicle or vehicles break down, the Regional Manager is the one they call on, for repairs, rescue or towing.  If a translator, literacy team, survey team or one of our partner organizations needs supplies sent out to their village, the Regional manager is the person they call on.  From buying fan belts for ancient German lawnmowers to mow the airstrip so the plane can land, to buying enough supplies and materials to build a complete three bedroom house – the Regional manager does it all!  If there is a tsunami alert, an earthquake, a cyclone, fire or flood, the Regional Manager is the go to person and has a contingency plan for evacuation or relocation.  The Regional Manager is the Bank Manager, the Accountant, the financial consultant, the debt collector and a clerk.  The Regional Manager is a teacher, a counselor, a chef and a dishwasher, a veterinarian, a gardener, a guard and a friend.  The Regional manager refuels helicopters and planes, loads trucks and boats and communicates by phone, HF radio, email, Skype, 2 way radio and standard mail.  Regional Managers are integral to the work of Bible Translation in PNG.  Translators and Language teams depend heavily on them.  Regional Managers take care of all the details so the Translators and Literacy teams can focus on the work of Bible Translation.

 I hope that helps you to be able to communicate to your friends and potential supporters what it is that you will be getting yourselves in for.  I hope that didn’t scare you at all – all of those things (and more) that I listed above my wife and I experienced in our 5 years managing the Lae Centre.  You don’t have to have all the answers; you just need to know where to look.  It’s the most exciting job around – helping people gives us a buzz and that we can do that in support of Bible Translation gives it so much meaning!

If you have any more questions or need anything from us, please ask – we love this work and will take any opportunity to tell others about it.

 With you in His service,

Mark

How important is God's Word?

Pastor Michael Lewis, Dr. Gary Williams, J. Myrle Henry and Bob Westlake
These men are the bedrock in Plant City and Eastern Hillsbourough County.  Bringing the Word of God to the believers heart.

Praise the Lord!  

I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17

Cheryl and I have reached the midway mark in our Partnership development.  Many have indicated that they will be joining us as financial partners by supporting us monthly.  It is not too late to join us in partnership.  We will need to have 100% of our support by the end of May.  Come join us as we assist in sharing the Word of God to unreached people groups.

April went out with such a BANG.  Cheryl and I had an opportunity to share in Tessera on Wednesday where many joined us in partnership.  We were honored to speak Friday at the Evangelistic University and Seminary’s Fund Raiser and on Sunday we shared with the Young Adult Sunday School classes that meet in the second hour.  God has been so good to us.  He has called us to share about Bible translation and continually equips us and provides for our needs. 

Do you have friends that would like to hear more about the lost in Papua New Guinea?  We would love to share what God is doing to reach the least reached with your Sunday Scool class, church, and civic organization.  Email mcdaniel.png.wa@gmail.com and we will set time aside for you.

Buka Island PNG

What a wonderful opportunty to share in the House of Prayer last night.  So many have expessed their hearts for the people who do not have a single verse of God's Word in their heart language.  Keep the people of Papua New Guinea in your prayers and remember it was only the 1600's that we were blessed to have the Bible in our own heart language.    God's best for you!

Going for God's Glory!

God has called Cheryl and I to a unique island in Papua New Guinea to serve with Wycliffe Associates in full time mission service.

Please pray with us for:

•      Visa process - approvals
•       The continued sharing of God's work in PNG and how others can join in HIS mission to reach the unreached in PNG with the GOOD NEWS!
•      All the many details of liquidating all of our household items, vehicles, etc.
•      Pray for the right people to take our current work positions.

God is faithful and he reminds us continually of HIS love for all..... so that every tongue and tribe shall hear... we serve HIM alone!

God Bless You!