Embracing a new year...

 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” -Proverbs 16:9 KJV 

As 2023 gets off to a busy start, we are reminded that it is God who ultimately determines our path, even as we make plans in faith and use the abilities He has blessed us with to serve those around us. Scott will be spending time in the next few months training and mentoring a new Papua New Guinean Chief Human Resources Officer, who will take over for him as we leave to return to the USA in June on home assignment. Kathy will be finishing the semester with her students and making sure there is continuity for the science department for the next school year, and that all of the curriculum materials are up to date and accessible. In each of these endeavors, we are entrusted by God with the skills and abilities to think critically and plan ahead, but we also trust in Him to guide our plans and provide for our needs. We have seen His hand of provision and protection so abundantly since 2020 when we returned to PNG, and even during the challenges, we have had peace. We look forward, God-willing, to our return to the USA in June for a 6 month home assignment, where we hope to visit with many of you and share more details of how we’ve seen God working here in PNG. One of the blessings we never tire of is seeing so many different species of butterflies, and each one reminds us of God’s ability to transform people into a new creation through the work of His Word in their lives. We praise God for the transformation we have seen here and for the work He will continue to do in the future

God’s promises...

In the midst of the storm, God is with us, and we often forget to look up and recognize His presence. One of the joys of rainy season here in Ukarumpa are rainbows (as well as having plentiful rain water in our tanks to supply our running water in our houses on center!). It is easy to be out walking in the rain, focusing on the slippery mud and trying to stay dry, and miss the beauty in the sky above us if we would just look up. We pray that you experience God’s presence with you in your storm, and that you look up and see the beauty He is working in and through your circumstances, even during the difficult times.

Prayer Points...

 • Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for peace and a resolution to the local village conflicts nearby in the Aiyura valley.

• Bible translation: Pray for the dormitory and translator training facility under construction in the Ubuo language area and for continued progress on their New Testament and literacy materials.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for Scott as he on-boards the new PNG Chief Human Resources Officer, fulfilling localization in that role. Pray for Kathy and all of the students at Ukarumpa International School to have a healthy and productive semester.

• PNG missionaries: Praise for the families who have recently returned to PNG, and for the new families who have arrived and are in the PNG Orientation Course.

• God’s provision: Thank you for your prayers, and for your faithful financial support of our Wycliffe ministry in PNG. We could not continue to serve here without you.