About a year ago, Scott and Nikki Wheeler from our Karori whānau were confirmed as new mission partners with NZCMS, destined for Kapuna in Papua New Guinea.  But COVID-19 put a stop to all of that, throwing them into a year of waiting and wondering what might lie ahead.  Now, their departure date has (almost) been set, and they're nearly ready to go.

Despite the delays, the Wheelers know that God has been at work preparing them all this time.  "We were supposed to leave in May 2020 but the delay has had many fruits for our family too, being here for the passing of my grandfather and other special times with family," Nikki said.  "Living in limbo for the best part of a year is tiring in many ways. We have peace about it, and don't get frustrated with delays or challenges because we know it is part of a plan. We need to keep praying for God's protection and blessing - so that any delays we know are in his hands, and nothing else is working against us."

Some of the challenges they need to face include the complexity of booking international flights in the time of COVID-19, and facing the prickly end of a vaccine needle several times.  Flights to PNG require transit through Brisbane, which sometimes requires quarantine and sometimes doesn't.  And some of the vaccines they require have to come from Australia with limited international air freight capacity, so life has become a tightly scheduled array of puzzle pieces for the family.

"We trust that God has this journey all mapped out for us, so we are just taking it day by day, decision by decision as we have been to date," Nikki said in their update to supporters, "But all our actions are pushing us towards a departure date of February 23rd. One of my current challenges is keeping the house in showroom condition for potential tenants, while also painting it and packing it up. Thank goodness again for good weather!"

When they finally get there, Nikki will work as a physiotherapist in Kapuna Hospital, plus whatever else needs doing, and Scott will be a Projects Officer for the hospital rebuild, plus whatever other health projects are needed once the rebuild is completed.

The Wheelers are currently looking for people to join their support team. If you’d like to support them financially and/or in prayer, please go to nzcms.org.nz.