Managing Risk in the Land of the Unexpected

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” 

                                                                               -Psalm 20:7

Scott serves in many roles here in Ukarumpa. His primary job is Field Security Officer but he also serves as Crisis Management Team Leader, Covid Response Team Member, Critical Incident Debriefer and an occasional teacher at Ukarumpa International School. As you might imagine, no two days are exactly alike. On any given day, Scott may meet with village leaders, the police, other missionaries, business people or local government officials. He might be investigating a security incident, organizing an event, posting travel advisories, reviewing the government’s latest pandemic measures, providing training to new people, conducting a security assessment or facilitating training or a crisis management meeting. This means that Scott is on call 24/7/365. Thankfully, he has been blessed with a solid team. Our Center Security Manager, along with three contracted Gurkhas, run the day-to-day security operations of the Ukarumpa center. On the Crisis Management side, Scott is blessed to have a diverse team composed of other missionaries and Papua New Guinean staff who work in Translation, Medical Services, Aviation, Staff Care and Communications. The days go by quickly in Ukarumpa as projects and emergencies flow into one another, but God is gracious and gives Scott and his teams the strength and wisdom to manage risk in the land of the unexpected. Sometimes, this even leaves him with the time and energy to offer a women’s self defense class for the community!