God directing our steps through new transitions...

Over the last three years, we have undergone many challenging transitions. In every situation, God has been faithful.Well, another transition has arrived and He is once again directing our steps. Our sending organization, Wycliffe Associates (WA), has undergone significant changes in their approach to  mission. Previously, WA sent support personnel to assist mission organizations. Going forward, WA is directly working in Bible Translation projects. Many support personnel were given a choice; change positions to better align with WA’s new structure or switch sending agencies. We elected to switch sending agencies and have been accepted to serve as career missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. We prayed about our decision and it became quite clear that we are called to stay in our current location and roles. We are still with WA but will be transitioning soon. WA has assured us that the financial gifts received to support our ministry will be transferred to our new Wycliffe USA account once our transition is complete. For those of you who are financially partnering with us, we will provide detailed information on how you can continue through Wycliffe USA. This change means that we will be returning to the U.S. in December, where we will attend additional training, serve in our home church, visit people and churches and, Lord willing, raise 100% of our ministry budget. We hope to return to PNG in July of 2016 so Kathy can begin the new school year at UIS and I can reassume my role as Security Operations Manager. Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue to serve in PNG.

Teaching for the future...

1 Timothy 4: 11-12 “Command and teach these things.  Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”  

I have always highly valued education.  Maybe it was watching my Dad work full time, while completing his college degree at night, that inspired me to complete my own Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.  Or perhaps it was when God led me to teach high school at PCA, and I saw how each student developed the gift God had blessed them with, and then graduated and went on to become a blessing to others. Now, after teaching my first year at UIS, I am deeply reminded again of the power of education. 

With this power comes great responsibility; to teach and learn the truth, through the lens of God’s word, and then to live it out in practical ways.  For these students, it means preparation for life back in their home countries once they graduate, or when their parent’s complete Bible translations in PNG.  For Papua New Guinean students, it is a firm foundation, that they might continue their education here or abroad and come back to serve and lead their country.  I see these students stepping up, setting good examples, and leading now,  and I am joyfully reminded of the Bible verse from 1 Timothy 4.  I don’t teach just so the students can gain present knowledge, however useful, I teach so they can become present and future Christ-like leaders in their nations and in the world.

Kathy accompanied her grade 7 class to serve at a church in Kainantu, where they were able to bless the PNG congregation with music and drama for a special children’s day service. 

First school year at UIS is accomplished

Kathy is so proud of all of the work accomplished by her students at UIS this year.  Whether it was the grade 7 and 8 students building and launching water bottle rockets, or the grade 10 students dissecting toads and rats,  all of the students put forth great effort.  She especially enjoyed working with so many students from different cultures and countries, and seeing them work together harmoniously.  She is preparing for the new school year now, and looking forward to meeting her new students already!

Above: Stacey, a grade 10 biology student, is enjoying her toad dissection, while Kathy helps  other students discover their ‘inner surgeon’.