Celebrating God's Provision in 2018

We have been blessed by God’s kindness to us through our faithful partners this year in many ways. We’ve settled into our new home in Ukarumpa and have been able to purchase a vehicle, both of which we have been able to use to bless others through hospitality and help with moving and travel. We were able to attend the Baruga Bible dedication in June, which encouraged us to continue in our support roles here that allow Bible translation to continue. Afterward, we traveled back to the U.S. for a month to visit family and friends, as well as empty our storage unit in New Hampshire. It was such a blessing to reconnect with several partners and churches. In July, 2019, we will be returning to the U.S. for a 9 month home assignment and look forward to seeing everyone we missed in June. Until then, we will flexibly serve in our roles here in Ukarumpa, thanking God for the ongoing opportunity that He has given us to minister in Papua New Guinea.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and partnership during 2018. Please know that we pray for you as well and would love to hear from you and know any particular requests you have. 

Above: Celebrating with the Baruga at their Bible dedication in June was a huge highlight for us. To be with Jim and Joan Farr as they dedicated the Baruga New Testament after 29 years of service there was a reaffirmation of the greater purpose for which we are all here serving. Plus, we had a great helicopter ride to reach their remote village! 

The Joy of Giving

God has answered many prayers as we have served in our expanded support roles this year. Kathy continues teaching middle and high school classes, serving as Science department head, and just began co-leading a grade 9 girls community group. Scott temporarily assumed the role of Chief Human Resources Officer and taught a self defense class at the high school. In June, Scott assumed another temporary assignment as Senior Manager for Regional Centers, while maintaining his role as Field Security Officer. Scott also gave of his time and expertise to assist another mission by co-designing and facilitating a crisis management exercise (with Kathy in her first cameo acting role). We have been able to minister at the local hospital in Kainantu as well, praying with patients and delivering clean water, food and baby clothes. Even emptying our storage unit in NH gave us the opportunity to give away furniture and housewares to Habitat for Humanity and a local shelter. We are grateful to God for giving us the strength and ability to serve in these various ways, so that we may give of our time and talents with joy. Yet, any giving of ours pales in comparison with what God has already given to us through the gift of Jesus Christ, His Son. Christmas is an annual reminder that God is faithful and He is still on His throne. Despite our sin, God made a way for us to be rescued through faith in Jesus Christ alone; it is by His grace that we are saved. The joy of receiving that gift is what compels us to continue to serve in Papua New Guinea, in obedience to God’s call, for as long as He would have us here.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgement and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9: 6-7 (NKJV)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3: 16-18 (NKJV)

Glimpses of 2018

Staff profile: Pastor Ham, our Security Liaison Officer

Our mission in Papua New Guinea requires many kinds of people with various skill sets. The people who make the day to day operations run smoothly here include not only expatriate missionaries from all over the globe, but also our Papua New Guinean staff. One such person is Pastor Peter Ham, a member of the Security Department who serves as our Liaison Officer with local communities in the Aiyura Valley. Whether it is helping to solve a conflict in the valley, communicating with police regarding a motor vehicle accident involving our missionaries or resolving disagreements between local residents and members of our own staff, Pastor Ham serves as a resource for peace and cultural understanding. In addition to his work for our mission, Pastor Ham is also the pastor of church in the nearby village of Ba’e where he ministers to his congregation and serves as a Christ-like example to many. Scott not only values Pastor Ham’s work ethic, but also his ability to operate between Papua New Guinean cultures and those of the many expatriate missionaries here in Ukarumpa. God has blessed Scott’s security ministry here in Ukarumpa by providing the right people to come alongside him and help him to make improvements. Pastor Ham is one of those indispensable people.  

Above: Please pray for Pastor Ham, as he strives to be a godly mediator and peacemaker in the Aiyura Valley.

Once in a century?

The century plant, a species of Agave, is monocarpic, meaning it will only flower once in its lifetime. That one bloom may not appear for over 10 years, depending on the climate (the tall spike is the flower!). We don’t know the age of ours, but it reminds us that giving thanks should be the exact opposite- something that flowers frequently in our words and deeds and lives. This Thanksgiving, we are so very thankful for you, our partners, for enabling us to continue to serve here in Papua New Guinea. Thank you!

Prayer Points

• Papua New Guinea (PNG: Pray for peace in the Aiyura Valley and through-out the country, especially during the Asia Pacific Economic Summit.

• Bible Translation: Pray for Steve and Debbie McEvoy and the typesetting of the completed Migabac New Testament.

• Our Roles in PNG: Pray for a successful end of Term 2 at Ukarumpa International School and upcoming semester exams. Pray for wisdom and balance for Scott in his two roles.

• PNG Training: Pray for the new Culture Meets Scripture workshop underway in Alotau.

• God's Provision: Praise for our partners supplying for our needs and enabling us to continue to serve here in PNG!

Who we serve in Papua New Guinea...

As Christians, our desire should be to serve those God brings into our sphere of influence, whomever that may be. Typically, that will be those in our community; for us, the Bible translation families and support staff of Ukarumpa. But God also often calls us outside of our comfort zones, to go into the wider community and show the love of Jesus Christ to those in need. Ministering at the local hospital in Kainantu by praying with people, giving out banana bread and clean water is a small thing by the world’s standards, but if done with love it makes a difference in people’s lives. Kathy found the best way to spend her birthday was by praying with the new moms and their babies and offering them food and drink, baby clothes and blankets and feminine hygiene kits. Scott prayed with the men in the wards and gave out water and food as well. Who is God calling you to reach out to in your community with love, prayer and practical needs? Our faith is active when we serve those in need around us with the love of Christ.

Above: Please pray for peace and healing for the patients and the resources needed for the staff at the rural hospital in Kainantu.

Spring has arrived in Ukarumpa...

The purple flowers of the jacaranda tree and blooming amaryllis flowers everywhere remind us that spring has come in the Southern Hemisphere. This is good news for us, as it means the afternoon rains are arriving more regularly. The rain fills up our water tanks (the green cylinder in the picture) and provides us with drinking water that we can filter, and water for washing and bathing. We don’t take our water supply for granted, even if the rain means a bit more mud around!

Prayer Points...

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for peace and revival in the Aiyura Valley and through- out the country.

• Bible translation: Praise for the Doromu-Koki New Testament dedication that was held in Port Moresby last week.

• Our roles in PNG: Praise for a successful end of Term 1 at Ukarumpa International School and the start of Term 2. Pray for wisdom and endurance for Scott as he manages two challenging roles and travels more in PNG.

• PNG training: Pray for the participants and facilitators in the Trauma Healing workshop currently underway on center.

• God’s provision: Praise for good health throughout the first school term- no small miracle there!

Ladies Self-Defense Workshop

Scott helped to facilitate another Women’s Self Defense class on August 18. Twenty women came out for three hours of situational awareness, basic defense techniques, and the opportunity to try them out on Scott!

Remaining flexible while serving in PNG...

One of the realities of living in Ukarumpa is constant turnover. One friend goes on home assignment while another returns for their next term in PNG. On a personal level, this means that you are always missing someone. Organizationally, this creates gaps that need to be filled. Earlier this term, Scott filled one such gap when he served in Human Resources. Recently, Scott was asked to take on another temporary assignment as the Senior Manager for Regional Centers (SMRC). The SMRC exists to assist the 7 Regional Centers throughout PNG, advocate for Regional Centers with our mission’s leadership and oversee water safety. The water safety role involves managing personal locator beacons carried by language teams who are working in the islands regions. These devices are activated in the event of a maritime emergency, sending a signal with GPS coordinates to facilitate rescue operations. Over the next several months, Scott will be busier than normal as his temporary role will necessitate travel to all of the Regional Centers. This will be done in addition to his normal role as Field Security Officer, but Scott is not alone. The reality of constant turnover means that everyone needs to remain flexible.

Above A personal locator beacon. These can save the lives of translation team members who travel on the water and are at risk of being capsized or adrift during a maritime emergency. 

Prayer Points

• Papua New Guinea: Pray for peace in the Aiyura Valley and throughout the country.

• Bible translation: Pray for Robert and Betsy Bradshaw as they prepare for their upcoming Doromu-Koki New Testament dedication in September.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for wisdom and endurance in our roles, especially in this time of transition for Scott. Pray also for the teachers and students at Ukarumpa International School as the end of term 1 approaches.

• PNG training: Pray for the participants and facilitators in the Translator Training Course currently underway in Alotau.

• God’s provision: Praise for reasonably good health since our return from the US in July.

Thank you for your prayers for the entire teaching staff of Ukarumpa International School. We excitedly started the new school year on July 18 and look forward to pouring into the lives of all of our students this year.

Glimpses of God at work in the world...

We know that God is the great orchestrator at work in the world, and that He cares about the details of our lives, but sometimes He allows us glimpses of it in marvelous ways. The Tok Pisin church we attend in Ukarumpa supports a Papua New Guinean missionary named Gabby, who serves along with his family in Greece, where they have been an integral part of an amazing ministry to refugees from many Middle Eastern nations. It turns out, Gabby trained in Sri Lanka with a long-term missionary sent by our home church in Dover, NH. Last summer, Gabby was able to visit and speak at Dover Baptist Church and thanked them for sending us to serve in Papua New Guinea. Then, on our way to the US this June, we met him and his family for the first time while passing through a small guest house in Port Moresby. We returned back to Ukarumpa in July just in time to hear him speak at church on the “ecclesia,” the Greek word used in the New Testament for the Christian believers “called out” from the world and into God’s marvelous light. What a beautiful example of the ecclesia, serving around the world, woven together by God, and what a gift that He would allow us that glimpse of His hand at work!

Above Evie and Gabby Markus with Scott and Kathy, after the Tok Pisin church service in Ukarumpa. 

Prayer Points:

• Papua New Guinea: Pray for the continued transformation of hearts and lives through hearing and reading God’s Word.

• Bible translation: Pray for the upcoming Doromu-Koki New Testament dedication in September.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for Scott, temporarily serving as Senior Manager for Regional Centers, while he continues to serve as Field Security Officer.

• God’s provision: Praise for safe flights back to PNG! It was a blessing to empty our storage unit and donate clothes and furniture, but the greatest blessing was to see so many family and friends. We are sorry if we missed you during our brief time in the US, but we will see you when we return on home assignment next July.

Privileged...

Thank you for your prayers for our travel logistics and for us as we attended the Baruga New Testament dedication! It was a privilege to be there to experience their joy firsthand and then continue our journey to the U.S. to visit family and friends. We will never forget the opportunity we had to celebrate with the Farr family and the Baruga people and we thank you all for helping to make it possible!

Celebrating with the Baruga people...

On the 9th of June, the Baruga people dedicated the New Testament in their language. What had begun 29 years ago, when Jim Farr began the translation, now culminated with the distribution of print and audio-Bibles of the New Testament, plus 23 Papua New Guinean co-translators, trained and prepared to continue work on the Old Testament. As support workers, we had the sensation of being metaphorically transported to the top of a high mountain just in time to witness the end of an arduous climb, yet we were welcomed to celebrate with them as a part of the body of Christ, our contributions to the work of Bible translation appreciated and encouraged. Romans 12: 4-6 reminds us, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them...” (NKJV)

Above Jim and Joan Farr, translators, with Irene Fumey, Director of Language Services, presenting the Baruga New Testament to one of their co-translators during the dedication celebration.

Owl Fly Away...

Sadly, our friend’s owl won’t be able to, as he has a broken wing, but he is being nursed back to health. We, however, will be flying back to the U.S. on 14 June for a short visit. While there, we will be visiting family, speaking at churches, taking care of stored items and attending to medical appointments. We will then return to PNG on 10 July, in time for the beginning of the new school year. Please pray for our travel logistics and for us as we diligently finish this school year well and prepare to fly!

Adaptability...

Adaptability is a key ingredient for a missionary. I (Scott) have been in the position of Chief Human Resources Officer for six months. Soon, I will assume a modified security role and temporarily become the Senior Manager for Regional Centers. These changes have prompted people to ask “Aren’t these roles outside of your comfort zone?” The answer is a resounding “Yes”! The Human Resources position was well outside of my comfort zone and that is OK. God provided a great team who helped me through unfamiliar territory. What about the new role? It, too, is outside of my comfort zone and once again that is OK. I am here to serve and therefore willing to take on any role for which I am capable. God continues to teach me and use me in unexpected ways. If God has called you outside of your comfort zone, don’t worry. God often equips the called, instead of calling the equipped; what He wants is a willing and obedient heart and a teachable spirit.

Earthquake Update

On 26 Feb, 2018, there was a large scale earthquake (7.5) near Mendi in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, about 200 miles from the Ukarumpa Centre in PNG. Today, there is still damage to be repaired, as well as people in need. Relief and repair efforts are ongoing and it has been a privilege to donate supplies of food and water to this cause. Our aviation team, working together with other missions, has been flying needed supplies to villages near the epicenter. Please continue to pray for those affected by the quake and for wisdom in how we can be of service.

Photo credit: Martin Namorong

Prayer Points

Papua New Guinea: Pray for the church in the Aiyura Valley and throughout the country.

Bible Translation: Pray for Jim and Joan Farr as they prepare to dedicate the New Testament in the Baruga language this coming June. We are excited to be able to attend this dedication!

Our Roles in PNG: Pray for wisdom in our roles, especially in this time of transition for Scott. Pray also for the teachers and students at Ukarumpa International School as the end of the school year approaches.

PNG Earthquake: Pray for the ongoing relief operations.

God's Provision: Praise for our ability to come back to the U.S. to visit family in June!

Working Together

At least once a year, representatives from various missions in Papua New Guinea gather together to discuss shared security and crisis management issues. These meetings help us to forge better working relationships and increase our understanding of one another’s context. This year’s meeting was particularly poignant because it took place against the backdrop of the recent 7.5 Magnitude earthquake and over 100 aftershocks that have impacted the Southern Highlands region. We heard from a guest speaker, conducted a joint risk assessment and discussed response strategies for a variety of potential loss events. Following the main meeting, Scott helped to facilitate an exercise that he and a colleague from another mission had previously designed. Kathy also participated by serving as a role player and assisting in the after-action debriefing. The various missions all have slightly different focuses, but ultimately, we are all work together to advance the Gospel here in PNG.

Above Scott, with colleagues at another mission where he assisted in designing and facilitating an exercise for their Crisis Management team. Kathy also assisted as a role player.

Full Potential

As autumn moves toward winter here in the Southern hemisphere, the poinsettias are turning red, a truly meaningful and wonderful sight for Easter, instead of Christmas. Here they reach their full tropical genetic potential as trees covered in brilliant flowers, instead of stunted potted plants. Has God planted you where you can reach your full spiritual potential? Pray this Easter that the One who loved you enough to die for your sins would show you how and where you can have the most abundant life in and for Him!

Prayer Points

Papua New Guinea: Pray for revival in the Aiyura Valley and throughout PNG this Easter.

Bible Translation: Pray for the Orthotech course in April, as translation teams learn to help language groups who do not yet have a written alphabet.

Our Roles in PNG: Praise for a successful school Term 3 and student mission trip to Enga. Pray for wisdom for Scott to complete his time in the CHRO role well; he will return to a revised security role in May.

PNG Missionaries: Pray for the Whiteheads as they discuss beginning the Menya Old Testament translation.


God's Provision: Praise for our ability to attend the Baruga Bible dedication in June!

A Standard Tablespoon?

Why is my coffee too strong or too weak sometimes? One cultural lesson we have learned is that Australian and American tablespoons are not the same standard measure! The Australian is 20 ml, or 4 teaspoons, and the American is 15 ml, or 3 teaspoons, which makes a noticeable difference in our morning coffee. We are so grateful that God’s standards always stay the same....

Training in Ukarumpa...

We continue to be amazed by the scale of what is needed to successfully support Bible translation. It is not just the skill of expatriate translators that is required, but also the commitment to training by their Papua New Guinean co-translators. The Training Centre in Ukarumpa exists to provide those opportunities, with boarding facilities available so the national co-translators can learn alongside their expatriate teammates, in an environment designed to facilitate their ability to focus without the added responsibility of their home, family and garden. National translators take courses in basic computing, translation training, Greek, Hebrew, and how to develop a written alphabet for their language. Pastors receive basic exegesis courses to help them to preach and teach the Bible accurately and effectively. And both expatriates and nationals are learning to teach adult literacy in Tok Pisin (the trade language) as a precursor to literacy training in the local language. These are just the courses that are currently being held at our training center between March and April this year, and will involve Papua New Guineans from many languages groups, and from around the country. Please pray for these upcoming courses, that God would be glorified in the diligent work of His servants!

Prayer Points

Papua New Guinea: Pray for church growth in the Aiyura Valley and throughout PNG.

Bible Translation: Pray for the checking of the NT books of Mark and James in 9 languages in the Aitape West multi- language translation program.

Our Roles in PNG: Pray for the third school term to finish well. Pray for wisdom and discernment as Scott continues temporarily in the Chief Human Resources Officer role.

PNG Missionaries: Praise for the Whitehead’s successful Menya Bible dedication in Morobe on February 23rd!

God's Provision: Pray for our ability to attend the Baruga Bible dedication in June - will you consider partnering on-line with our Wycliffe ministry?

An exciting year ahead...

We are grateful to be starting 2018 in our own home here in Ukarumpa; thank you for all of your prayers for that transition. It has been exciting to see God at work in so many lives, bringing friends back to Ukarumpa after furloughs, and hearing more about upcoming Bible dedications that will take place this year. In church this morning, two New Testaments (NT), just arrived in Ukarumpa from the printers, were prayed over and will be dedicated in their language communities in 2018. The Binimarian NT is a second edition, and will include 5 books of the Old Testament. The Baruga NT was begun in 1988 by Jim and Cindy Farr, after having completed the Karafe NT. Jim persevered in the work after Cindy’s death, and God eventually brought him and Joan, a single translator, together in marriage. They have completed this work of bringing the transforming Word of Truth to the Baruga people. Our friends Jim and Joan exemplify trust, love, endurance and faith and they have

been a profound encouragement to us these last 4 years. Please join us in praying for all of the details that still need to be arranged before they celebrate the Bible dedication in June, and for spiritual protection for them and the Baruga people. Also pray that we would be able to attend the dedication and celebrate with them the joy of seeing decades of labor come to fruition as the Baruga receive the Word of God in their heart language. What a blessing to be a partner in this legacy!

Autumn pumpkins?

Even after four years here in PNG, we are still acclimating to living in the Southern Hemisphere. Yes, we are transitioning from summer into autumn here, and have grown some beautiful pumpkins in the garden. They come in all shapes and sizes, and Kathy enjoys making roasted pumpkin soup and bread. Scott hopes at least some of it ends up as pie...

Prayer Points

• Papua New Guinea: Pray for revival and peace in the Aiyura Valley and throughout PNG.

• Bible translation: Pray for the participants in the Tok Pisin workshop to teach adult literacy at the Ukarumpa Training Center until February 8th.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for the new school semester and praise for Scott teaching Self Defense again. Pray for wisdom as Scott continues as Chief Human Resources Officer.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for Carl & Pat Whitehead’s Menya NT dedication in Morobe on February 23rd

• God’s provision: Pray for our ability to attend the Baruga dedication in June - will you consider partnering on-line with our Wycliffe ministry?