Gen 28:15 – I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Many Bible verses show that God is with us, that He hears us and does not leave us alone. Much has happened, and some things turned out differently than Koen and Anne-Laure Verdonck expected. They share “How quickly the heart turns to thoughts like: Could it be that the Lord is not pleased with us? Where did we misunderstand Him? or What did we miss? But those are all fabrications, because the Lord says again and again in His Word that He loves us, and that nothing changes that when we are walking with Him. All we need to do is trustfully believe what He says. Surrender.”
Just before their departure from Papua New Guinea, Koen and Anne-Laure saw the hangar they had prayed for so long finally standing before their eyes. What a milestone! There is still a few finishing touches needed, but they hope everything will be completed this year.
There is also good news about the fuel supply: a large 55,000-litre aircraft tank has been purchased – and paid for in full. On top of that, the Lord provided for transport from Australia to PNG and… for the tank to be filled. What a provision. join them in giving thanks!
The past few weeks have been intense, but also full of blessings. Their departure from PNG went smoothly. Packing, saying goodbye, and handing over their responsibilities all went quickly. During the “Thank You, Lord” service, they were able to look back together with gratitude. After a good journey, they landed safely in Belgium, and to our great surprise, were met by family. What a warm welcome!
For now, they have moved back into an apartment at “Connect” the same place as last time. It felt familiar right away. The beds were made, flowers were waiting, and their children had filled the cupboards with what they knew they would need. The jetlag was manageable too!
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as expected afterward. Ten days after arrival, Anne-Laure fell while trying to turn her bike around. She lost her balance and ended up in the hospital. Three days of admission, a custom-made brace, and then lots of rest. She is already doing much better. They are learning once again what it means to trust.
In the meantime, they have been officially “accepted” again administratively in Belgium – that process took about three weeks. Their insurances are all in order, the new driver’s license has arrived, and they were able to borrow a car, and subsequently managed to purchase a used car. What a provision!
They are now taking a period of rest to settle in and catch their breath. After the summer, they hope to actively participate in the “Connect” project. They plan to organise an information evening about PNG and “Connect” in the autumn.
Koen and Anne-Laure want to sincerely thank you for your prayers, it is so encouraging for them to know that they are not doing this work alone, but as a team. Thank you for journeying with them.