After nearly four years away in Papua New Guinea, and more than 100 hours of return travel Chris and Ingrid Hughes with Jonathan and Lydia are back in the UK. There are a lot of happy blessings especially being with family and friends. They have been enjoying garden centres, smooth roads, lightning-fast Internet, paper books and not least that good food is easily available at a reasonable price and all in the same shop. The kids love toy shops and the new trampoline that they were given!
Chris’ mum and dad took them to Wales for a few nights together and Ingrid’s mum was able to visit from Norway for a week. Recently, Chris attended a beach mission reunion and was hugely encouraged by being around people with such an infectious love for the Lord.
Settling in takes time, their house took a bit longer to set up than expected and they are still working on getting good routines established. Part of the challenge is that their paved backyard is very small. At Hoskins Jonathan and Lydia could run outside to play with all their friends in a safe, gated area whenever they liked. It is a tough transition, and they miss their friends. Chris and Ingrid are realising the need to come up with things to keep them occupied much more than they were used to. They are still homeschooling for continuity and flexibility, which they are grateful they can do, but it does mean they are together almost 24/7. Pray for good ideas and lots of grace for each other.
Over this next year, they hope to get to the point where they are encouraged, refreshed and excited to go back to PNG. Pray for guidance for how to rest and recover from what has been a tough term. Pray for opportunities for them as a family to process what they have experienced in good ways.
One of the things they are looking forward to the most is visiting churches, youth groups and Bible study groups. In fact, few things energise them as much as teaching the Bible and sharing about what God is doing. Pray for them to know how to divide their time. Chris has always wondered about building on his NTM training by studying online at a Bible school or seminary – this could be helpful both for translation and teaching in the tribe and would prepare him well for any future teaching ministry. But they need God’s clear guidance – is this is what He wants for them this year? If so, where should they study? Which course? Or is there some other ministry God would like them to be involved with? We don’t know, but the Lord does. Pray that they see His hand leading them.
PRAYER & PRAISE:
- Praise God that they got back safely.
- Praise God for the many blessings of life in the UK, especially being with family and friends.
- Praise God for providing for them as they have set up home again.
- Praise God for the encouragement of being at the UBM reunion.
- Pray for help to settle into good and helpful routines.
- Pray for wisdom in and help to rest and be refreshed during this home assignment.
- Pray for opportunities to process the last term.
- Pray for clear guidance about what to do with any extra time they have this year.
Chris and Ingrid are so grateful for your prayers and fellowship in the work.