Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

We want to wish you all a very joyful Christmas season. Though our circumstances may not always be happy, we have learned that our joy comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ, and in this season we remember that He is Emmanuel: God with us. It is the most amazing gift we will ever receive and we pray that none of us ever take it for granted. Please pray for us as we prepare for our transition back to the U.S.; we will have a busy schedule and a lot of travel almost immediately upon our return. We are so excited to be seeing friends and family again soon, but it is also painful to say goodbye to new friends and “family” here; please pray that we will finish well. We have worked hard to wrap up our jobs here to the best of our abilities, but please pray for those who will cover our positions while we are gone for six months. We feel deeply that God is calling us to return in July, and we have been encouraged by our colleagues’ desire to see us return as well. It has been an amazing two years here in Papua New Guinea, and Scott and I thank you for all of your love and support. If you have been able to financially partner with our Wycliffe ministry, we thank you very much and pray that you would continue to partner with us in 2016. We are currently at 51% of our needed ministry budget. If you would like to begin partnering with this ministry, would you consider a monthly pledge or a tax-deductible year end gift? The Holy Spirit is moving in wonderful ways in PNG and you can be a part of the work God is doing here in people’s lives! 

Our Year in Review...

Kathy just completed teaching a full year of Biology in one semester, and is very grateful for how the students stepped up, worked hard, and did a great job with a great attitude!

Scott improved relationships with local law enforcement and our contract security provider.

Kathy also completed teaching a semester of middle school science and is grateful for the colleague who will continue her classes in 2016.

Scott worked with law enforcement to recover stolen property and prosecute several local criminals.

Scott and Kathy participated in a community Bible study and grew closer to God while encouraging and supporting others in the community.

Scott revitalized the security awareness program and conducted risk assessments for residences, SIL departments and other missions.

Kathy participated in a Women’s Bible study and formed mentoring relationships with women on center.

Scott led a high school senior boy’s Bible study and assisted with the annual youth retreat “Encounter”. 

Saying Goodbye...

Part of being a missionary is learning to say goodbye and to live in transition. Today I said goodby to my “PNG mom” and we cried and promised to pray for each other while we are apart. We exchanged Christmas gifts and I was humbled to receive two cucumbers from her garden- literally her “first fruits” harvested since the drought dried everything up. She explained that she gave her very first to the pastor of her church, and then wanted to share the next with us, because God had blessed her through us during the drought and she now wanted to bring an offering in return. It is wonderful to see how the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of the beautiful people of Papua New Guinea, to see God’s Word being taught to the next generation and Jesus Christ being proclaimed! -Kathy