The Wheeler’s Give Thanks

After serving for three years in the swamps of Papa New Guinea, the Wheeler family are settling back into life in New Zealand.

‘How are you settling back in?’ - the question everyone has asked and it is easy to answer. Good. We are doing well - settling into NZ life is easy. There is good food, couches and carpet! Luxurious lives we lead. Cooking is easy (not cheap) but everything you desire is on hand. 

We have had wonderful help moving furniture and unpacking boxes. I’ve enjoyed many chats with other parents about schooling and what to expect as the kids re-acclimatise. We feel very blessed to have visited here midway through our term because it has helped the kids remember many things. Levi has had most of his ‘memorable years’ in Kapuna, PNG and all his schooling - so there are still lots of things to adjust to.

Have you read ‘The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’? We feel a bit like those kids…we have lived in a different world, with different animal and spiritual adventures, but now we have walked through the wardrobe and back into our previous lives. Some things have changed, but not as much as we have.

We are grateful and blessed to have lived in and been absorbed into the Kapuna community. There is huge need in all areas compared to our world - although the people of faith have a pure and beautiful hope they are desperate to share with others in a dark space. The medically trained ones have a gift they want to share and are encouraged by improved hospital facilities but worry about how they can continue to do so with little funding or support from the government.

We are grateful to God for blessing us with these experiences but also returning us home safely from all the human and animal dangers. We wanted to rely on Him more heavily and we have done so. He has blessed us richly and hopefully blessed Kapuna more through us.

As a family we want to thank you ALL for your friendship, fellowship, prayer and financial support over these three years. We never felt alone despite being tucked so far away in the swamp! New Zealand Church Mission Society supported us amazingly and we are grateful to have partnered with them. We have seen first hand how important it is to have the backing of a good organisation and support people when being on a journey like this.

Ongoing Work:

With the hospital rebuild completed, the staff and community has grown significantly from 70 staff, to 150 and soon 200. This is great and essential to continue to provide a high level of medical care to these isolated peoples - however the growing pains are now being felt in the management space. 

Scott has gradually been called to work in and mentor people at this level and support Gulf Christian Services to get stronger in order to retain and continue to run both the Kikori and Kapuna Hospitals. He has built beautiful trusted relationships from the workshop and ‘tools’ up and has been invited into confidential spaces and asked to support the executive team going forward.

The guys were always surprised at how this 'white man' was so happy to get dirty and work hard with them - in between meetings with the 'Big People'. The buildings in the background of this picture are Kikori Hospital - here they are preparing for the drilling for water.

These hospitals really are a light in the dark. The Gulf Province has many beautiful people and lots we care so deeply for. However in PNG there is a strong cultural following of sorcery and witchcraft - this only ever leads to curses and death. The cultural practices of retribution and revenge can also make life scary and fragile.

The Christian message of forgiveness and grace is refreshing and something people are desperate for. Gulf Christian Services offer amazing medical care for the body but also soaked in prayer for spiritual health. We passionately care for this place and their vision to provide Christ Centered Service to the people of the Gulf. Without roads and easy access these people are often forgotten, especially by education and government support services.

Life in Gulf Province is simple and beautiful but very challenging without roads and endless swampy croc infested water

Photo Credit to Scott

Gulf Christian Services asked us to stay to continue our work there, particularly Scott, with what he has been doing to strengthen the organisation. It would have been easy to stay and keep supporting this amazing place, if it had not been for the schooling stage our kids are at. We have always been a 'family on mission' and this is the time to put their needs first.

After many discussions and discernment with NZCMS and GCS - we are all on board with Scott continuing to work with GCS as a NZ-Based Globally Focussed Mission Partner to restructure and strengthen their management operations. The goal is to enable the hospitals to continue to work as they are without needing to hand over to the government, which would inevitably not end well.

Before leaving Scott has set up communication tools so he can work with the teams online between visiting several times a year to work in person. With review periods along the way, this is a two year commitment at this stage.

NZCMS will continue to pay Scott a living allowance to support this much-need work with GCS, as well as paying for flights to visit several times a year. If you are in a position to continue your support, this will enable Scott to do this much-needed role. We also understand if you are not able to.