Resilience and obedience in 2024…

It has been a year since we returned to Papua New Guinea from our 6-month home assignment in the USA, and 10 years since we first arrived in PNG. The year has been very productive, as we have continued to seek to be obedient to serve in the ministries God has called us to here in Ukarumpa. Kathy still serves at the Ukarumpa International School Secondary Campus (UISSC), teaching various science classes and working with her team as head of the department. Scott has worked in many roles; serving as a security consultant advising the Field Security Officer, as a teacher at UISSC, as the Crisis Management Team leader, as the secretary on the SIL-PNG Executive Committee, and as part of an international Human Resources team dealing with child safety, mediation and workplace inquiries. Scott even had the opportunity to preach two sermons at our English Sunday church service. We have been overjoyed to see eleven Bible dedications celebrated this year, and to be a part of Scripture checking for upcoming New Testaments that will be dedicated next year. We have also been sad to see colleagues and friends end their time in PNG and move on. PNG is one of four countries with the highest remaining need for Bible translation, and we need more workers to come and to serve alongside us. We have relied on the LORD for strength, endurance and resilience in times of sickness and in good health. We continue to pour into those around us, seeking to be light and salt right where God has planted us. We desire to continue to serve obediently for as long as the LORD has us here, and we are thankful for each and every one of you; your prayers and partnership have enabled us to serve here these last 10 years and we are grateful! Ask God for resilience and obedience, right where He has planted you; whether you are serving overseas or in your own community, reaching out to friends, family, coworkers and neighbors, God will use you for His glory if you are willing. Please continue to pray for us, and know that we will continue to pray for you as well!

Celebrating…

 the 11 New Testaments that were dedicated inPapua New Guinea in 2024!

Kaluli

Meramera

Nalik

Yale

Enga

Uare

Feni

Tabo

Nara

Saliba

Label

May the Word of God dwell in each of these language groups richly and bring great repentance and revival

God is still working…

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7: 8-10 (NIV)

Progress; it seems so slow sometimes. Translation teams may start a New Testament in a language, only to see it finally printed and distributed 20 or 30 years later. When we arrived in Papua New Guinea 10 years ago, there were 2,200 languages around the world with no access to God’s Word. Today, that number is 980 — what remarkable progress! However, 250 of those remaining languages are in PNG. Join us in continuing to pray for more workers to support and begin Bible translations in these remaining languages. We also want to rejoice with the eleven languages that dedicated the New Testament this year. They not only received printed copies of God’s Word, but also have access to solar-powered audio Bibles, SD cards and mobile phone apps, so they can take the Word of God in their heart language with them wherever they go. Wycliffe has been committed to a vision that seeks to see a translation program in progress in every language still needing one by the year 2025, and that vision is becoming a reality. There is still so much work that needs to be done, as communities also need literacy teams, Scripture Use teams and all those who support them, to be able to apply God’s Word to their lives. God is still at work, and so are we — thank you for your faithful partnership with our Wycliffe ministries!

God bless you,

Kathy & Scott Watson

Changing seasons and consistent service…

“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”                                              Acts 14:17 (NIV)

As the Southern Hemisphere transitions from spring toward summer and we move from dry season to rainy season, we are reminded of how dependant we are on God’s mercy, sending the rain for our water tanks and for the crops grown by all of the surrounding villages. The rainbows we have enjoyed recently remind us of God’s promises, and His consistency, to be with us and provide for us. It fills us with gratitude, that we can continue to serve here in support of Bible translation. This year, we have seen so many New Testaments dedicated, the culmination of decades of faithful service. This makes a total of 229 New Testaments that have been dedicated, and the work is not finished; there are 136 languages currently engaged in translation and more that are still waiting to begin. Our number of workers is smaller now than it was when we arrived 10 years ago, but God is still using those who are faithfully serving to accomplish His purposes. Please continue to pray that God would send more workers to the field; the harvest is ripe and there is much to do. Thank you for praying for us and all of our colleagues faithfully continuing to serve here, for good health and strength to continue the work until it is complete.

Ubuvala checking party…

One of the direct ways we can invest in Bible translation is to help check the proofs before they are typeset and sent to the printer. Even though Kathy doesn’t speak Ubuvala, she could still contribute by looking for correct formatting of footnotes, pagination, illustration captions and quotations. It was a great opportunity to spend part of her break between school terms serving directly in Bible translation, and it is exciting to know that another New Testament will be sent to the printer soon. Pray for the hearts of the Ubuvala speakers to be joyfully open to receiving God’s Word in their language!

Prayer Points...

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for wisdom and discernment for government leaders and peace throughout the country.

• Bible translation: Praise for the Nara and the Saliba New Testament dedications this month. Pray for God’s Word to transform lives and hearts in these language groups.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for Scott, the Security team, and the Crisis Management Team, for wisdom and safety. Pray for Term 2 at UIS to continue well, and for healthy students and teachers.

• PNG missionaries: Praise for the PNG Orientation course participants completing their village living experience, and for having new families here to invest in Bible translation in PNG.

• God’s provision: Thank you all for your faithful prayers, love, partnership and support- we couldn’t serve here without you.

Be a part of an amazing team…

Photo credit: Anita McCarthy

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

When you give yourself fully to the work of the LORD, you need to know what you are striving towards. The goal of our organization in PNG is to see God’s Word available in every language, in every life. At Ukarumpa International School, we invest in our students, seeking to develop Godly learners for life (learn more at ukarumpainternationalschool.org). These goals intersect when translation teams, pilots, doctors, managers and national workers rely on the school to provide a high quality education for their children, so they can continue in their ministry work. These goals overlap when we get the privilege of witnessing our students choose to be baptised and make that public declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ and the power of God’s Word to transform their lives. Serving with such a dedicated team of like-minded people, passionate about seeing both of these goals achieved, has been a privilege and a blessing to us. Please pray for our team of talented faculty, staff and administrators at UISSC, that we would stand firm and continue to serve faithfully. Please pray that God would send more teachers and administrators to serve our many needs for next year. We know that our labor is not in vain!