God’s blessing on you in this New Year…

Photo credit: Lynda Wick

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

We pray that you each had a blessed Christmas and New Year with family and friends. Hopefully, you enjoyed fellowship (and cookies!) and fun. It is one of the challenges of being overseas during the holidays, knowing that family is far away. We are grateful for the technology to video chat with loved ones and stay in touch. We are also thankful for the family of brothers and sisters in Christ that we have right here in Ukarumpa. The holidays provide wonderful opportunities to share meals and games, birthdays and breakfasts, laughter and worship of Jesus Christ our Savior. All of the departments in Ukarumpa shut down for the two weeks around Christmas and New Year’s, to allow our PNG colleagues to return to their home regions. It is a healthy opportunity for rest and reflection for all of us as we go into 2026. Now, our departments have reopened, school is about to begin again, and life will return to its normal routines. Many families are returning from their home assignments, just in time for their students to start Semester 2. It is a great blessing to the community to have so many people return to resume their needed roles. Please pray their transitions back go smoothly, and for each of us to be refreshed and ready to continue to serve the LORD. It is such an honor and privilege to serve alongside so many faithful and servant-hearted people. We appreciate your prayers that God would continue to receive all the glory this year!

Pray for the Onobasulu…

The Onobasulu New Testament will be dedicated on Saturday, January 17th and this is a cause for great rejoicing. Our translation teams will tell you, though, that there is frequently great resistance and spiritual warfare leading up to a Bible dedication. Often, this is experienced as divisiveness and conflict within a language community. Pray for the light of God’s Word to shine in dark places, and for their hearts to be ready and open to His truth. Pray especially that this will lead to repentance, revival, and reconciliation among the Onobasulu community. God’s promises are true and we know that His Word will accomplish His will, in His perfect timing.

Prayer points...

 • Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for peace and wisdom for leaders in PNG, on both the local and national level.

• Bible translation: Pray for the Onobasulu Scripture dedication on 17 January and for God’s Word to bring peace and unity to this language community.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for the new school semester beginning this week, that students and teachers would be excited to learn and ready to work. Pray for peace, wisdom and discernment for Scott and the SIL Global Child Safety team.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for families trying to return to PNG who are still waiting on visas, and praise for those who have recently returned.

• God’s provision: Thank you for your faithful partnership with our Wycliffe ministry. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Christmas 2025

Reasons to Rejoice...

Testimonies of God’s goodness…

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” - Psalm 136:1 NKJV

Sometimes it is important to stop and introspect - how has God been working in your life? It is easy to be busy each day and miss His goodness, mercy and love exhibited in the countless miracles He is doing in and around us. Kathy attended a women’s retreat here in Ukarumpa (see photo below) and rejoiced to hear so many testimonies of how God was at work in the lives of the women around her, in their families and in their language communities. Our high school students met for Encounter, their spiritual retreat, the following weekend. The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way and we are seeing a spiritual revival among our youth - thank you for your prayers! Our English Sunday Service held a testimony evening last Sunday for the students to share, and a testimony service this Sunday for the community to share; it was a great encouragement to hear the many ways God is moving. Our translation teams, as well as teams leading Trauma Healing and Scripture Use programs, spoke of the Spirit bringing reconciliation, forgiveness, and a fresh hunger to know God’s Word. Please continue to pray, and look for ways the LORD is at work in your own life as well.

God is good, in every season…

It is spring in the Southern hemisphere, but the blooming amaryllis flowers have us anticipating Christmas. Stopping to appreciate the beauty of each season is an intentional practice, especially when things are difficult. Our excellent clinic cares for us well, but occasionally must refer us a specialist, often the closest being in Australia. Kathy was grateful to see a dermatologist there for skin cancer treatment and is doing fine. Thank you for continuing to pray for our health and stamina as we serve in a challenging place with limited health care options. Pray for the LORD to continue to send medical professionals to serve alongside us and bless the community and valley.