Koen and Anne-Laure Verdonck, who serve at NTM-PNG’s support base, are glad to report that the construction of the new hangar is going well. They prayed for dry days so that the cement floor could be poured. There had been a lot of rain before, but on the crucial cement days, the weather stayed dry, an answered prayer! Thanks to a fantastic team, the work has progressed well. Everything is now ready to begin the actual construction of the hangar. A special team recently arrived to take on this project. If everything goes according to plan, the new hangar will be completed in March and ready for use in April. What an exciting prospect!
On a different scale, but annoying, Koen and Anne-Laure had a problem under their house, a clogged drain. They dreaded the repairs, as it meant dismantling their porch roof and digging under the cement floor. Once again, they received the unexpected blessing of sunshine. Thanks to the dry days, they could work without additional complications. Moreover, they discovered that the problem was a broken drainpipe just before the house, making the repair much simpler than expected, what an answer to prayer! Koen still had a few days of work to restore the porch roof and cement floor, but they are incredibly grateful for the smooth outcome.
In March, it will be 75 years since NTM arrived in PNG and began its work. Over these years, 80 language groups have heard the Gospel through the mission, a cause for great gratitude! On March 21 a celebration is planned with former missionaries and local people.
Koen and Anne-Laure’s plans for their return to Belgium is becoming more solid. Yet, it still feels surreal that it is truly happening. The big cleanup has begun – sorting through 31 years’ worth of belongings. Their son Josh and family will move into their house. On March 30, they plan to hold a thanksgiving service. God willing, they will fly from the capital to Belgium in early April.
They will deeply miss family in PNG. They will miss the work, their home, friends, the PNG community, the mountains, and the beautiful weather. They are grateful for the 31 wonderful years spent in PNG.
Continue to pray for Koen and Anne-Laure in their new ministry: “Mission in Belgium” through Connect.
Thank you all for your prayer support over the years.