Growing up, I lived in the same house for 17 years! My parents built the house when I was just over a year old, and moved out when I went to college. I loved that house, and think it will always be my favorite. I lived in that house for so many memorable experiences in my life: first slumber party, adopting my brother, and all of 1-12th grade (literally in the house!) are just some things that come to mind. What I love most about that house is that it was truly home. It was were my family lived, but also the place that I always came back to: after a missions trip, after camp, after my grandfather died…it was a constant in mine and my family’s life.
This is our tiny house in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea, but it is home. We only paid $7000 (USD) for it, can you believe that?
Things are quite a bit different for me now. Our ministry requires that we travel a lot, both in the United States and Papua New Guinea. While in Papua New Guinea, we travel back and forth from our “home” base in Ukarumpa and our village where we translate the Bible. And while here in the U.S. we have been traveling to many different states to speak at churches and with people about how they can partner with our ministry.
Annie being a cool chic as we go to speak to another church.
Traveling like this often gets quite busy! As we are planning what our last few months in the U.S. are going to look like, I am slightly surprised by the realization that we probably won’t be staying anywhere for more than a week at a time, including our “home” at my parents house.
“For I the Lord do not change;
therefore you, O children of Jacob,
are not consumed”
Malachi 3:6
As I am preparing Matthew, the girls, and myself for all our traveling, I know that it can very well take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. I am reminded that with our ministry calling, our surroundings are not going to be constant. Yet thankfully our God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). When I am feeling like things are always in a disarray between packing, traveling, and just everyday life, God is still the same. He is still my savior, my provider, my sustainer, and my source of peace.
The Woods' Walkabout 
Hi Matthew and Rachel,
Really great letter – well done.
How is the partnership development going? Your return date is a month and a half away, so we’re praying for you – that God will direct you to just the right people He has called to partner with you. I hope that this won’t delay your return to PNG. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help – but one thing I’d really encourage you to do is to talk to a PD coach for good ideas on how to be most effective during this final stretch.
Your friend,
*Mark Nelson *
*Resource Coordinator, *
*Ministry and Care Resources, *
*Wycliffe USA Human Resources*
*Working out of Waxhaw, NC, work hours: 8 AM – noon & 1 – 5 PM Eastern, M – F*
*Work: 704-843-6270 Skype: care_nelson*
*The goal of a Ministry and Care Resource Coordinator is to better meet the needs of Wycliffe USA members in the changing worlds of Wycliffe and our partner organizations. My role is to provide personnel services and encouragement, answer questions, and connect members with helpful resources.*
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*From:* The Woods’ Walkabout [mailto:comment-reply@wordpress.com] *Sent:* Wednesday, May 13, 2015 9:14 PM *To:* mark_nelson@wycliffe.org *Subject:* [New post] Woodsy Wednesday: “The Constant” In Our Change
woodsyfamily76 posted: “Growing up, I lived in the same house for 17 years! My parents built the house when I was just over a year old, and moved out when I went to college. I loved that house, and think it will always be my favorite. I lived in that house for so many memorable “
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