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Thursday, December 23, 2021
Merry Christmas 2021!!
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Persevering and Praising God
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12
This year has certainly had more than its share of challenges, but we cling to the truth that God is good, all the time, especially when life is difficult. We’ve seen the Covid-19 Delta variant arrive and cause heartache, pain and suffering. We’ve also seen brothers and sisters in Christ continue to faithfully serve, translate, and work tirelessly to get God’s Word into every language still waiting for it. We’ve been stretched to serve in more capacities than usual, from Security to Crisis Management to Covid Response teams to teaching extra classes. And through it all, God has faithfully given us the health and strength to persevere. We praise God for how we’ve seen Him working in and through us in 2021. And we look forward in eager expectation to see how He will work in 2022, as we seek to be obedient to serve others here. Please know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers this year, as we know it has been a challenging year everywhere. We have seen so many glimmers of His light in the darkness and pray that you have, too. May we all choose to be vessels through which His light can shine to a weary world.
Speaking God’s language of love in our sphere of influence
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has the greatest number of different languages on Earth (top, left). This makes it a very culturally diverse nation and also draws Bible translators from many different countries to serve here. Much like our “haus win” (above, center), God’s Word is a shelter and a comfort, especially during these challenging times. But eternally, for those whose faith is in Jesus Christ, it is also a strong tower and a mighty fortress. This is why we continue to be obedient to serve here in Ukarumpa - to see God’s Word in every language and in every life. We do this by sharing our lives and our faith with our Papua New Guinean and expatriate students and colleagues at Ukarumpa International School (bottom, left), on the Security Team, the Crisis Management Team and the Covid Response Team. And we pour ourselves into deep mentoring opportunities, like the senior girl’s community group Bible study (top, right) or Encounter, the student spiritual retreat (bottom, right). Our greatest desire is to see people follow Jesus and to walk beside them on the spiritual journey we all share. Thank you for being a partner in this ministry, by your prayers and financial support. May God bless you and your family abundantly now and throughout 2022!
Prayer Requests
1. REVIVAL HERE IN THE AIYURA VALLEY AND PNG
2. RELIEF FROM COVID-19
3. ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO TEACH IN PERSON AT UIS
4. WISDOM FOR SECURITY, CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND COVID RESPONSE TEAMS
5. HEALTH AND STRENGTH FOR MISSIONARIES HERE
6. PEACE AND JOY AS WE SERVE JESUS FAITHFULLY AND OBEDIENTLY
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
God is still in control...
“Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23
Thank you for your continuing prayers for Papua New Guinea and its government during the pandemic. Even now, the Eastern Highlands Province, where we live, has been classified as a High Risk province. This means greater travel restrictions and the need to cancel courses at our training center that would require translation teams to travel here from other provinces. We try to be realistic about the risks we take and expose ourselves and others to, while still continuing to serve in all of the capacities we are able to: teaching, youth ministry, security, crisis management and Covid response. Kathy is taking on three more science classes for the rest of the semester, as she fills in for another teacher who returned to the USA for a funeral. Scott continues to teach a Consumer Fraud class at the high school, while also managing a balance between security, crisis management and Covid response teams. We still have peace and have seen God’s great faithfulness and compassion, even through these challenging times. He allowed the high school students to have their spiritual retreat right before the restrictions changed, and we saw the Holy Spirit work in mighty ways among our students. Please continue to pray for their spiritual growth. Then, He allowed us to travel just as the Covid restrictions changed, so Scott could facilitate a self defense workshop (pictured, below) for another mission organization in Madang and provide security assessments of their facilities. It was a blessing for Kathy to go with him, since it was during the school break, so she could help out during the workshop. We even got in some ‘salt water therapy’ for her birthday!
Maintaining relationships
Photo Credit: Amy Evers
Even as our province increases it’s Covid measures, it is good to know that friends can still gather, albeit outside, for food and fellowship. Rainy season has begun with the start of Spring here in the Southern Hemisphere, so we will adapt and continue to be creative as we gather and encourage one another in our ministries here. Whether serving as a teacher, Bible translator, nurse, literacy and Scripture use worker, finance or security officer, each of us has a role in getting God’s word to every language in PNG.
Prayer Points:
• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for healing and protection from the current Covid surge here in Ukarumpa and throughout PNG.
• Bible translation: Pray for the translation teams still living in remote villages to remain healthy, faithful, and productive.
• Our roles in PNG: Pray for school to be in person for the rest of the semester, and for wisdom for Scott as Crisis Management Team leader.
• PNG missionaries: Pray for peace and wisdom for all of the families living in Ukarumpa as they navigate the current Covid restrictions and mandates.
• God’s provision: We are so thankful for God’s grace and mercy in keeping us healthy so far and even allowing us to travel during the school break.
Thank you for continuing to hold us up in your prayers, and for your faithful financial support of our Wycliffe ministry in PNG. We could not continue to serve here without you!
Sunday, August 29, 2021
And another school year begins...
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17
This verse was deeply impressed on us as a new school year began on July 17, and as we reflected on our current roles here in PNG. Kathy is teaching Grade 9 Biology and Grade 10 Chemistry in the Community, as well as serving as head of the science department. She is also coordinator for external exams, like the SAT, and serving as a community group leader for the Grade 12 girls. In addition to teaching a high school Consumer Fraud class, Scott is also still serving on Ukarumpa’s COVID Response Team and will become head of the Crisis Management Team in September, in addition to all of his duties as Field Security Officer. It is a great comfort to know that the Lord is the one who will establish the work of our hands for us - we are not trying to do any of this on our own strength. It is humbling to be a part of what God is accomplishing here in Bible translation by serving in our support roles, and we couldn’t do it without your prayers and partnership. Ultimately, it is the body of Christ working together worldwide, to bring God’s Word to every language and life!
Above: Kathy’s Chemistry students working in the lab, learning to separate mixtures.
A break from school…
Kathy had time to go and see friends serving with another mission in Madang for a week during the school break. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit with and encourage them. We also spent quality time with their PNG family, who took us out in their dinghy to show us their island home in Astrolabe Bay. It was a hot, tropical change of pace from the cooler highlands and salt water therapy is always good!
Prayer Points
• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Praise for more COVID vaccinations available here in Ukarumpa & throughout PNG.
• Bible translation: Praise for the entire Kamano Kafe Bible being recorded this month and for its impact on its hearers.
• Our roles in PNG: Praise for school starting off in-person for the new year! Pray for Scott as he teaches a new Consumer Fraud class at the high school.
• PNG missionaries: Pray for energy, health, and good transitions for all of the families arriving in PNG this month.
• God’s provision: We are so thankful for God’s grace in allowing us to get our second vaccination; please pray we continue to stay healthy so we can faithfully serve here!
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Serving in COVID times...
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father though him.”
-Colossians 3:17
In addition to his other duties, including successfully teaching a high school Self Defense class, Scott is serving on Ukarumpa’s COVID Response Team. This consists of monitoring developments throughout the country, interpreting government measures and providing advice to our leadership, managers and colleagues. Here is how things are looking right now: The PNG government set forth a number of measures designed to mitigate the impacts of COVID. These measures include social distancing, mask wearing and limits on both inter-provincial and international travel. The measures have had some positive results to date. Papua New Guinea was averaging 300+ new cases per day in March and April, but has now decreased to an average of less than 100 new cases per day. Locally, our Clinic staff have reported a drop in cases as well. Current government statistics indicate that PNG has experienced 15,415 reported cases with 162 deaths nationwide. To put things into perspective, PNG has a total population of approximately 9 million people. Vaccines have also arrived in the country and steps are being taken to vaccinate front line health care workers, pilots, teachers, police and other high risk individuals. Please continue to pray for Papua New Guinea and its government during this pandemic.
Above: Scott debriefing students & actors after the scenario based examination for his self-defense class called "Club Mayhem".
Another school year is over…
It has been a challenging and stressful year, but we are thankful that God has allowed all of us at Ukarumpa International School to provide in person education, with masks and temperature checks, right to the end of the school year. Our graduates enjoyed modified end-of-year celebrations, like Banquet and Graduation, and will now be flying back to their passport countries or moving on to higher education opportunities here in PNG. Please pray for these students, who finished well under all circumstances!
Prayer Points:
• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for more available COVID vaccinations, here in Ukarumpa and throughout PNG.
• Bible translation: Praise for the Binandere New Testament portions being dedicated in Nindewari this month!
• Our roles in PNG: Praise for school remaining in-person for the entire year! Pray for Scott to have wisdom in his COVID Response Team role.
• PNG missionaries: Pray for peace and good transitions for all of the families leaving PNG this month.
• God’s provision: We are so thankful for God’s grace in allowing us to get our first vaccination; please pray we continue to stay healthy so we can faithfully serve here!
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Teaching in COVID times...
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”
-Galatians 6:9 NIV
We are grateful to have been able to teach school in person into Term 4 and we continue to modify our classes to meet needed social distancing and mask requirements. Even Dr. Bones the skeleton is complying! Scott continues to teach Self Defense as well, and his students look forward to taking their final practical exam, affectionately dubbed “Club Mayhem”, in a few weeks. Kathy is also assisting with external exams and helping to proctor the SAT and AP exams in early May. Our seniors prepare for Banquet and Graduation with the hope that they will be able to finish well and have healthy closure with these meaningful traditions. However, there are families in Ukarumpa in quarantine with COVID-19 and others in isolation due to contact with infected persons. Please continue to pray against the spread of the illness here, so we can continue to finish this school year well. It is our joy to help support Bible translation in PNG through providing a high quality education for each of these wonderful students.
God is faithful…
A rainbow is always a reminder to us of God’s faithfulness to His promises. It seems like we’ve seen more spectacular rainbows in the last couple of months than usual, and it has been an encouragement to us all. We place our hope and trust in Him with full assurance, even when the circumstances around us are challenging and we do not know what the future holds. We are so glad to have an eternal hope that we can fix our eyes upon especially during times like these! Where does your hope and peace reside?
Prayer Points:
• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray against the spread of COVID-19, here in Ukarumpa and throughout PNG.
• Bible translation: Praise for the Halia New Testament revision being dedicated in Bougainville this month!
• Our roles in PNG: Pray for school to remain in-person for the rest of Term 4. Pray for wisdom for Scott’s new role on the COVID response team.
• PNG missionaries: Pray for wisdom and knowledge for new missionaries taking the PNG Orientation Course in May.
• God’s provision: We are so thankful for God’s grace in keeping us healthy so far; please pray we would be able to continue to stay healthy and keep faithfully serving here!
Friday, April 2, 2021
Preparation...
“The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the LORD”
-Proverbs 21:31 KJV
Each week, we go to our local fruit and vegetable market to stock up on fresh foods that are not available in our center store. Before we eat them, we must prepare them by soaking them in bleach water. The ability to prepare is a gift from God, but we never forget that ultimately all things are in His hands. Kathy is busy preparing a new elective class in Marine Biology for Term 4, and Scott prepares for his new advisory role on the COVID response team. Ukarumpa prepares for new government requirements regarding mask wearing, temperature checks, and limited gatherings of people. The PNG government prepares for its first real surge in COVID patients across the country. As Christians, we prepare ourselves this Holy Week to remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We fix our eyes on an eternal perspective, our preparation to spend eternity with Him because of His mercy, grace and sacrifice. But until that day, we continue to serve those in our spheres of influence, knowing that, ultimately, the battle belongs to the LORD. May you be blessed this week as you prepare to celebrate Easter with your family, and we trust that Jesus is working in you and through you as you seek Him this Easter season!
It takes a team…
It is a joy to serve our students during Soul Purpose, the weekly youth group meeting, and with the Grade 11 girls during our community group Bible study. Team-building games encourage them to work together to reach common goals. At school, we also often have group activities that build community as well as develop learning. But we will need more people on our team for next year. Please pray about how God might use you to teach and serve these wonderful young people!
Prayer Points:
• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray against the spread of COVID-19, here in Ukarumpa and throughout PNG.
• Bible translation: Praise for the Old Testament being completed in Kamano Kafe; now they will have the entire Bible in their heart language!
• Our roles in PNG: Praise for a successful end to Term 3 at school. Pray for Scott’s search for a new a national assistant.
• PNG missionaries: Pray for a good transition for another flight of families who returned to Ukarumpa last week.
• God’s provision: We are always thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and it is a blessing to be here in Papua New Guinea this Easter to celebrate His sacrifice for us all.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Chosen...
“I lift my eyes to the mountains; where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth”
-Psalm 121:1-2
We celebrated the start of 2021 here in Ukarumpa, and marveled afresh that God would have chosen us to serve here in Papua New Guinea 7 years ago. That time has flown by and has included many joys, challenges, triumphs and tears. The one constant through it all has been our God, who is faithful and loving, and our ever-present help in times of trouble. We often look at the beautiful mountains that surround the Aiyura valley and pray Psalm 121, acknowledging that we don’t often have the strength we need, but we do serve Jesus, who walks with us and helps us to carry each burden. He reminds us to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. Our prayer this new year is to take these words to heart and learn from Him. Has He chosen you for something bigger than you think you can handle? We pray you will take Him at His Word, learn from Him, and find rest for your soul this year. And thank you again for continuing to pray for us and our ministries here in Papua New Guinea!
Reasons to Celebrate
As a teacher, Kathy loves getting to go to her student’s weddings! We went to our first PNG wedding last weekend, and it was a blessing to watch a lovely couple commit to each other and to God, especially after enduring so many hardships last year. We enjoyed a beautiful day outside (with lots of sunscreen) and reflected on how Christ’s love for His church is mirrored in marriage (see Ephesians 5:22-33). We will celebrate our 30th anniversary later this year and pray God will bless this couple with the joy and love we’ve experienced.
Prayer Points:
• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray against the spread of COVID-19 throughout PNG and pray for peace and wisdom.
• Bible translation: Pray for the literacy and education teams working alongside the Bible translation teams.
• Our roles in PNG: Praise for a successful start to Semester 2at school. Pray for Scott’s search for a new assistant.
• PNG missionaries: Pray for a good transition for another flight of families returning to Ukarumpa this week.
• God’s provision: Would you consider becoming a part of our team? Due to the pandemic, we have lost several partners and need $875 per month to meet our budget. Please click the link below- thank you!
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