The April 2010 (and final) edition of 'The Latest' has now been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for April 2010 (the last from the Townsends as missionaries with Pioneers) have now been published.

Prayer Notes for March 2010 have now been published and February and April will be released soon.

The December 2009 edition of 'The Latest' has finally been published (including the PDF version). Our apologies for the delay in getting this online, but e-mailing the Publisher file from PNG to the webmaster seemed to go astray on several occaisions until now.

Prayer Notes for January 2010 have now been published.

Prayer Notes for December 2009 (the last from PNG) have now been published.

CTC Mapodo has just found out that the man who volunteered in June and was accepted as Secretary for the next three years has changed his mind. Pray that God will quickly send us a new competent person, to have a hand over in the next two weeks, before the current secretary leaves.

Prayer Notes for November 2009 have now been published.

Yesterday (Wednesday 28) a boat stopped here at Mapodo and collected our cargo to take to Port Moresby. The boat came on Tuesday night, but loaded on Wednesday morning. The tractor worked, it was dry weather, and we were able to send documents. Give thanks to God. Pray for arrangements about ongoing shipping to Adelaide.

Yesterday (Friday 23) we were advised that a boat will stop here tomorrow or Monday (26) to collect cargo to take to Port Moresby. Pray we will quickly finish packing and prepare necessary documents. Pray the tractor will work, to take things to the river bank. Pray the boat does not come at night.

Prayer Notes for October 2009 have now been published.

The September 2009 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for September 2009 have now been published.

Prayer Notes for August 2009 have now been published.

The June 2009 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for June 2009 have now been published.

Prayer Notes for May have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for April 2009 have now been updated.

Prayer Notes for March 2009 have been received and published.

The March 2009 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for February 2009 have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for December 2008 have been received and published (with apologies for the delay in publishing them).

The December 2008 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for January 2009 have been received and published.

Lesli Townsend’s father, Glen Gibbes, died on Monday 24 November 2008. We are glad that he is released from his physical limitations, and enjoying being with Jesus - his Saviour and Lord. Lesli’s two sisters and brother were with him in his last day. The funeral will be on Friday 28th November. The Townsends will remain in Alice Springs for a couple of weeks after the funeral to assist Lesli’s mother, Geri. Later they will return to Papua New Guinea.

Prayer Notes for November have been received and published.

Lesli’s father’s health began to deteriorate rapidly last month, and we returned to Australia in September to spend time with him, and Lesli’s mother. Glen’s condition is not expected to improve; pray for him to know God’s peace and comfort. Pray for Geri as she cares for him.

Thank God for his protection and enabling throughout the complications of travel - getting seats on flights, broken down planes, missed connections, changed itineraries, sleeping in lots of different beds, etc. The girls coped well. Pray for us all with many adjustments.

About the same time, in mid-September, Nathan had surgery to remove his tonsils. He was very sore for a week. It was good that Lesli was able to spend time with him then. Pray for full recovery to health and strength.

The September 2008 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for September have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for AUGUST have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for AUGUST have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for July 2008 have been received and published.

The June 2008 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for June have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for June have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for May 2008 have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for April 2008 have been received and been published.

The March 2008 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for March have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for February have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for January have been received and published.

The December 2007 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for DECEMBER have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for NOVEMBER have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for October 2007 have been received and published.

The September 2007 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for September 2007 have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for August have been received and published.

The Townsends have sent out a new family photo to their supporters, here is the digital version if you didn't get one in the post.

Prayer Notes for July have been received and published.

The June 2007 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

Prayer Notes for June have been received and published.

Dear Friends,

God's joy to you. We've had delays about writing and posting prayer notes for this month. Please accept out apologies.

Dear Friends,
We delayed in sending out these notes because we were uncertain about departure dates for our return to PNG. We thought applications for Entry Permits had been done in mid February but have discovered that forms were only lodged the day before Easter. We are on 90% of our financial target and need 100% before we can leave Australia. We have been advised to ensure that Nathan is well settled into his new accommodation before we leave Adelaide. These factors suggest we might not leave Adelaide until early May.

The first few days are some general comments, followed by daily prayer points from Today (12th April) onwards.

Prayer Notes for March have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for February have been received and published.

Welcome to 2007! Prayer Notes for January have been received and published.

The December 2006 edition of 'The Latest' has been published (including the PDF version).

You are invited...

to our Commissioning Service
Please join us on
Sunday, 25 March 2007
9.30 a.m.
Unley Park Baptist Church
Northgate St, Unley Park

We hope to leave for PNG soon after that.

Prayer Notes for December 2006 have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for November 2006 have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for October 2006 have been received and published.

The September 2006 edition of 'The Latest' has been published along with a few compressed editions of previous PDF versions.

Prayer Notes for September 2006 have been received and published.

Finally the photo laden March edition of 'The Latest' has been scaled down to a reasonable size PDF document and along with the text only version published to this website. Our apologies for the delay in getting this one online.

Prayer Notes for August 2006 have been received and published.

Prayer Notes for July 2006 have been received and published.

The June 2006 edition of 'The Latest' has been published.

Prayer Notes for June 2006 have been received and published. Please pray!

Prayer Notes for May 2006 have been received and published. Please pray!

Prayer Notes for April 2006 have been received and published. Please pray!

Prayer Notes for March 2006 have been received and published

Prayer Notes for February 2006 have been received and published

Prayer Notes for January 2006 have been received and published

The December 2005 of 'The Latest' has been received and published.

Prayer Notes for December 2005 have been received and published

Prayer Notes for November 2005 have been received and published

Prayer Notes for October 2005 have been received and published

The About Us page has been updated to reflect our current situation as well as some other minor updates. Please note the Corbett's new e-mail address on our contacts page.

Prayer Notes for Septermber 2005 have been received and published

The August 2005 of 'The Latest' has been received and published, including a PDF version (547KB)

Prayer Notes for August 2005 have been received and published

Prayer Notes for July 2005 have been received and published.

The May edition of 'The Latest' along with Prayer Notes for May & June 2005 have been received and published.

Prayer Points for April 2005 have been received and published. Phil apologies for the lateness and expresses their appreciation for your regular prayers for them.

Prayer Points for March 2005 have been received and published.

The Townsends are back in Australia - read about their farewell gifts and plans for 2005.

Prayer Points for both January and February 2005 have been received and published.

Prayer Points for December 2004 have been received and published.

Phil has e-mailed a few extra photos - probably the last from PNG. Select the 'Digital Photos' gallery from the Photos page.

Prayer Points for November 2004 have been received and published. Phil writes:

The boat stopped on Monday night and loaded the trunks to go to Port Moresby. Mike Bottrell picked up Air Niugini tickets for Mt. Hagen to Port Moresby. Pray for ongoing discussions with Pioneers and others about 'after Home Assignment'. Phil got back yesterday after the men's convention 800 - 1000 men. Nathan turned 16 yesterday. Lectures start on Monday, with exams in that week (postponed from earlier).

Prayer Points for October 2004 have been received and published.

Prayer Points for September 2004 have been received and published.

Lesli's parents returned to Alice Springs as planned last Sunday (25 July). There have been no medical complications for her father. He will need to follow the routine of steadily increasing activities for the next few months.

Lesli returned to Mapodo on Monday (2 August). There was no trouble with luggage, customs or flights. She, the girls and Phil are happy to be together. Nathan was able to talk by telephone with her on Sunday evening.

We are grateful to God for his help during this time. Thank you to all who have prayed for us.

Secondly

There was a special meeting of the CTC Mapodo Council on 21 July. The Vice Principal has been asked to leave to concentrate on his family's welfare. This is not possible in Mapodo district, so the family will relocate. This causes a staff shortage at CTC Mapodo, and so increased pressure on remaining staff. Later a new staff member will need to be appointed. Lectures recommence on Monday 9 August for a four week period.

Prayer Points for August 2004 have been received and published.

Note from Phil: (Prayer points updated to reflect this)

Lesli's father had heart surgery yesterday (was thought to have been postponed but it went ahead). Also Phil has been crook in bed for 3 days with malaria and a severe gastro bug.

Prayer Points for July 2004 have been received and published. Your continuing prayers are much appreciated.

Better late than never they say. Unfortunately the webmaster has been very busy over the last couple of months preparing for the mission field himself, so only prayer notes have been published. But here at long last is the Latest from the Townsends with photos direct from PNG (thanks to a new digital camera!).

Now the Townsends' have a Digital Camera, keep an eye out for more photo updates... (The first few shots are in The Latest from June 2004 - more will be added later)

Prayer Points for June 2004 have been received and published. Please note Days 4 & 5 re the Townsend's future. They will appreciate your continuing prayer.

Prayer Points for May 2004 have been received and published. Note from Phil:

We've just had a quick visit to Kawito and Awaba - for a Team Meeting with Seelands to catch up with our Team Leader, who came out from USA for meetings in Port Moresby, then one night in his village, and a few hours with us on Tuesday at Awaba.

While at Kawito yesterday Mike and I spent most of the day pottering around trying to find a jack to lift the plane so we could take a wheel off, cos he had a flat tyre... then there were no patches..... eventually found some at the nearest village. So I'm half way to being a mechanic.

God's grace and peace to you.

Prayer Points for April 2004 have been received and published. Our apologies for the delay - we have been having trouble connecting to the site to upload the details...

The Townsends first newsletter for 2004 has been published with news from their holidays etc.

Prayer Points for March 2004 have been received and published

Prayer Points for the February 2004 have been received published - how is the new year's resolution regarding praying for the Townsends EVERY day going? Keep asking God to help you in this.

The December 2003 Latest now has photos and the PDF version ready for your viewing and downloading pleasure. Please be aware that this edition of the PDF is quite large (approx 1.8MB) although the web version is still quite reasonable with just two photos.

The Townsends final newsletter for 2003 has been published.

Prayer Points for the new year have been received published - is there a new year's resolution you can make to pray for the Townsends EVERY day? Ask God to help you do this.

Our apologies for the outage over the last week. There was a slight hiccup in changing payment details with the web host. This should not be a problem in the future.

December Prayer Points have been received and published.

November Prayer Points have finalyl been published. Apologies for the delay.

The Townsends newsletter has finally been published. The web page has photos, however the PDF has been kept small for downloads and is thus missing the photos.

Phil's been extra organised and has posted both the September and the October Prayer Points! These are now published as usual.

Apologies to anyone who has tried to access this site. The database was accidentally removed, and we've only just got it back up and running. We will now update our error handling procedures so that we are notified of any future mishaps. Thank you for your patience.

The August Prayer Points have been received and published, including Nathan's new e-mail address.

We have received an update to the July Prayer Points. If you received the previous prayer points, please take note of these updates.

We were hoping to receive some photos from PNG to include in the most recent newsletter, but they have not arrived, so here is the PDF version of 'The Latest' for June 2003 for you to download.

The daily Prayer points for June 2003 were received and published.

Ever wondered what it was like to home school your children? Read on...

The daily Prayer points for May 2003 were received and published.

Give praise to God with us for temporary hostel parents at Ukarumpa!

Steve and Rachel Moody, who currently live at Rumginae in Western Province in PNG, have offerred to be hostel parents from July till the end of the year. They will take over from Alan & Carol Bickell who will be going to USA in July.

The Moodys come from the United Kingdom, and are seconded to the ECPNG (like us). Steve has been responsible for maintenance at the Rumginae Rural Hospital. Another family has recently arrived from Australia, and that man will take over from Steve. Rachel has been home schooling their children.

One of their boys, Peter, is already in the hostel at Ukarumpa (also in Year 9 with Nathan). They were planning to send their second son, Chris, to start Year 7 in July. Naomi is 11 and Esther 3 years old. Now they will be able to keep their family together, but it will also become a little larger!

Pray for them as they delegate jobs at Rumginae, pack, and move across in June to have a handover period with Bickells. Pray the children in the hostel will happily co-operate with them. There will be many adjustments for all.

Give thanks to God with us!

The daily Prayer points for April 2003 were received (finished just before the plane left Mapodo) and published.

The Townsends are back in PNG - read about how they are settling in.

PLUS you can now download The Latest in PDF format for viewing or printing. More info with the index of editions.

And WAIT... There's more - Nathan can be e-mailed at Ukarumpa - see the contacts page for updated e-mail addresses.

The daily Prayer points for March 2003 were received and published.

Some photos of Nathan settling into Ukarumpa have been forwarded on for your viewing pleasure!

The daily Prayer points for February 2003 were received and published.

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the name of Jesus. We trust you remembered his birth over Christmas, and we also pray you will allow him to live his life through you in this new year of 2003.

Commissioning Service

Our Commissioning Service at our home church of Unley Park Baptist, went ahead on 15 December. We showed some slides [Powerpoint], answered a few questions, and were prayed for by some of the leaders of the church (see the photo on the web site). Thank you to those who are not part of the congregation who made a special effort to come.

Jobs

In getting ready to return to PNG there were numerous jobs to do. We are grateful to friends and family who helped us in the rush at the end. Some jobs we were not able to complete, and we particularly appreciate Phil's parents who are finalising details.

Travel

We left Adelaide early on New Year's Day, and spent a few days at Gympie in Queensland with Lesli's brother Paul and family, whom we had not seen for four years. There were a few of us ... Lesli's sister Sandi and family were also there from Adelaide, and her Dad came too from Alice Springs.

Now we are in Cairns, to catch our breath, get used to the climate, and focus mentally on the next three years. On the 14th we will go to Port Moresby to attend to various tasks for a week. After that we will go to Ukarumpa for Nathan to settle in to life in the hostel and school. From the 31st we will have a few days in Mt. Hagen to do some jobs. We hope to fly home to Mapodo on Tuesday 4 February.

Mapodo

It will be beaut to see friends again. No doubt there will be cleaning and repair jobs on the house, then unpacking what we had stored. Lesli will get organised for home schooling, and Phil will prepare for the start of lectures at the Bible school on 16th Feb.

We have no fears about personal safety or security. Supplies (e.g.: groceries, fuel, building materials) will be erratic, which will test our patience and ingenuity. The PNG currency has fallen sharply in value over the last two months, and prices have risen dramatically. Pray we will be wise stewards of what is entrusted to us.

New Postal Address - Please use only this new address.

Townsend - Mapodo

Kawito MAF

PO Box 273, Mt. Hagen WHP 281

Papua New Guinea

New Web site Address

http://www.upbc.org.au/townsends

Our site is now at the one for our home church - Unley Park Baptist Church.

Quarterly Newsletters & Monthly Prayer Notes

You will be advised by email when these have been published on our Web site - please visit the Web site to read them. If you want to receive these by post, or if you do not wish to get notices by email, please contact us.

We are grateful for your interest, prayers, practical help and financial assistance. May God encourage you as you trust and obey him.

love from us

Phil & Lesli Townsend
Nathan, Anna, Felicity, Jessica

In an about turn, the Townsends are now back on the same site they started at (www.upbc.org.au) only in a revamped format. The same info is here but now updated and new things will be added as time goes by.

Updated info includes new contact details, more family profiles, new links about PNG and of course the latest prayer points and newsletter.

Dear Friends,

Special news! We have been approved to make travel bookings to return to PNG!

This afternoon, Mr Rod White, the Personnel Manager for Pioneers of Australia, advised us that we may organise travel and accommodation to go back to Papua New Guinea. Our financial position has improved significantly in the last few weeks. The full target has not yet been met (we are at about 93%), but we have been granted permission to leave Australia.

There are numerous jobs which need to be done. Arranging travel and accommodation over the busy period of Christmas / New Year could be difficult. We think we might leave Adelaide at the end of December.

Praise God with us! Our thanks to those who have prayed with us, and to those who are assisting with money. May you be encouraged as you see God at work.

Perhaps we might see some of you at our Commissioning Service this Sunday, 15 December 2002, from 9:30 a.m. at Unley Park Baptist Church, Northgate St, Unley Park.

Thank you for your help. Yours sincerely in Christ,
Phil & Lesli Townsend
Nathan, Anna, Felicity, Jessica

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the name of Jesus. Attached are our Prayer Notes for December & January. It is likely we will update these as time goes on. We do greatly value your partnership with us in prayer. May God encourage you as you serve and honour him.

Thank you for your encouragement to us. Yours sincerely in Christ,
Phil & Lesli Townsend
Nathan, Anna, Felicity, Jessica

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the name of Jesus. Attached is our newsletter. We will have our Commissioning Service on Sunday 15 December 2002 at 9.30 a.m. at Unley Park Baptist Church. The leaders of our home church feel that this is appropriate, given that there is a possibility we might return to Papua New Guinea in the next six weeks, and many people would be away on holidays in that period who might wish to join us for that Service. We appreciate your interest, and will advise you when we have further details.

Thank you for your help. Yours sincerely in Christ,
Phil & Lesli Townsend
Nathan, Anna, Felicity, Jessica

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ. Your faithfulness in prayer for us is greatly appreciated. We had hoped to be able to include details of our departure to Papua New Guinea in these Prayer Notes, but are not able to do so, as we do not yet have enough money promised. Our financial target has been revised and at present, 78% of this has been pledged. More donors and regular financial supporters are needed before the Australian Mobilisation Base of Pioneers will grant approval for travel arrangements to be made. Nathan should be at Ukarumpa International School by 23 January 2003 for tests and to settle into the hostel before classes start. We would like to do other things before then, including spending Christmas with Lesli's brother in Queensland. Later this month we hope to send you a family photograph and our quarterly newsletter THE LATEST.

Please note our new e-mail address on our contacts page

We need your prayers. May God encourage you as you walk with him each day.

Yours sincerely in Christ,
Phil & Lesli Townsend
Nathan, Anna, Felicity, Jessica

We have a new email address, effective immediately.

Please delete our old address and see our contacts page for updated details.

Our apologies for the delay - this time it took a litle while to convert the kids' cut and paste effort into a web page. But none-the-less it's good to hear of their holidays and plans for the future...

Again our apologies for the delay once again - no need to blame the lack of communication this time. The October daily Prayer Points arrived on time, but the webmaster's baby did not. The daily Prayer Points have now been published.

Daily Prayer Points for September 2002 have been received and published. The Townsends write:

We apologise these prayer notes were delayed. We particularly ask that you pray for more people to become financial supporters. We do appreciate your interest and prayers. Our prayer is that God will encourage you.

Phil went to the doctor yesterday (Thu 1st) following surgery last week for skin cancer. Lab results suggest there is no more skin cancer. Some sticitches were taken out, the rest will be taken out on Monday 5th. Continue to pray for healing of the wound. Give thanks to God with us.

Daily Prayer Points for August 2002 have been received and published. The Townsends write:

We had a good time on holidays to central Australia and saw Lesli's parents. The older three children are back at school. Phil had surgery to cut out a skin cancer near his nose; he should get lab. results on Thursday 1 August. Continue to pray for PNG about the elections - that violence will stop, and there will be clear direction from the courts about the possibility or not of new polling in some areas. Your interest and prayers are important to us. Thank you for your help. May God encourage you as you serve him.

The daily Prayer Points for July 2002 have been received and published.

The daily Prayer Points for June 2002 have been received and published.

The Townsends' return to P.N.G. has been delayed until the end of 2002.

There are three reasons for the delay in the Townsends' return to P.N.G.: finance, health, and pastoral care.

They have received written pledges covering 42% of their new Team Support Target. This is not enough for them to leave. Financial supporters should continue to forward their regular contributions. While in Australia the Townsend family will receive a monthly allowance at the Home Assignment rate, and will not need to seek paid employment.

Phil had surgery on 28 May for the second time to cut out a skin cancer near his nose. The lab. report suggests there is still more there, which will need further treatment.

Issues relating to pastoral care, recuperation, and spiritual / ministry preparation for the future are being addressed.

This delay also affects other people both in Australia and in P.N.G.

Please pray for Phil, Lesli, Nathan, Anna, Felicity & Jessica as they cope with making adjustments.

Phil had surgery on 14 May to cut out a skin cancer near his nose. Not all was removed, so he will have surgery again on 28 May. Travel plans will be changed. No date has been set for a Commissioning Service. Please keep watching this space, and we will advise you asap. The Townsends still need more financial support. Please continue to pray for them.

In the midst of preparing to return to PNG (yes, it's that time already!) the Townsends have put together a farewell edition of 'The Latest'. See what they have in front of them over the coming weeks - and then pray!

Time is drawing nigh for the Townsends to return to PNG and they ask for your particular prayers as things get busier and busier. Their daily Prayer Points for March 2002 have been received and published.

The daily Prayer Points for March 2002 have been received and published.

The daily Prayer Points for March 2002 have been received and published.

December came and went, so 'The Latest' edition of the Townsends newsletter is for January instead. Update yourselves on what lays ahead for their time at home.

The daily Prayer Points keep coming - a litte quicker now the Townsends are home! February 2002 Prayer Points have been published.

A new year is hear and the Townsends are home in Australia, but the daily Prayer Points keep coming! January 2002 Prayer Points have been published.

It never rains, it only pours. The daily Prayer Points for October, November & December 2001 have been received and published. Phil expects things will only get busier as time goes on so they've prepared it all in advance!

The latest edition of the Townsends newsletter 'The Latest' Keep in touch with what has been happening over the last few months and what lays ahead as they prepare to 'come home' for a break.

The daily Prayer Points for September 2001 have been received and published. The webmaster apologises profusely for the long delay - I've been on holidays for 4 weeks!

The daily Prayer Points for August 2001 have been received and published.

Apologies for the delay, but it's finally here - the latest edition of the Townsends newsletter 'The Latest' Keep in touch with what has been happening over the last few months

Slowly but surely, this web-site is growing. We now have some photos of the family in PNG - stay tuned for more...

The Final Part (#4) in the series of Foreign Correspondent has arrived (Bruce beat it in getting home!). Read and pray...

Phil has sent an update to their urgent prayer request from 3rd May. See the May 2001 prayer points for the details.

You can now see the latest What's New item on the main welcome page.

The folk at Sherlock Baptist may not have a website, but they do have e-mail. See our 'Links' page for details.

Part 3 in the series of Foreign Correspondent has arrived. Read and enjoy...

The daily Prayer Points for May 2001 have been received and published.

Jenni Bottrell (MAF, Kawito) writes:

Phil Townsend called me tonight (May 3) over the VHF to ask me to email you with this urgent request for prayer.

See the top of the Prayer Points for May for the details

You can now send emails to the Towsends at their new email address on the contacts page.

Read a little about who Nathan is and what he's been up to in recent times. You can even send him an email or two at his own email address!

Part 2 in the series of Foreign Correspondent has arrived. Read and enjoy...

Get a different perspective on life in Mapodo courtesy of our new Foreign Correspondent, Phil's Dad, Bruce Townsend.

This is the Townsends' website, so it makes sense to include their suggestions. Phil's reviewed what was put together and has made a couple of suggestions including the name change to 'Townsends in PNG' (hence the new logo in the top left corner). The 'About Us' page has also been updated with some more recent information and Nathan's first web page is on it's way...
PLUS Updates are now indicated with an icon like this:

We've just received the newest edition of the Townsends newsletter 'The Latest' Check out what the family has been up to over the last few months

With many apologies for the delay, the daily Prayer Points for March 2001 have been published

The daily Prayer Points for April 2001 have been received and published.

A guestbook has been added where you can leave comments etc. More features like this are in the development process

Final pages were published and the Site declared 'LIVE' by our WebMaster.

The daily Prayer points for February 2001 were received and published.

First trials of our new site were published online for testing which helped resolve which web hosting service to use. Most of the information was already available at our home church's site (www.upbc.org.au) so the main attraction is the prayer points and our newsletter 'The Latest'

What's New?

The Latest

April Prayer Notes

March Prayer Notes