Flowers and Fruit...

“I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing”-Ezekiel 34:26

We often get focused on the particulars of our work here in Papua New Guinea. Our goal is to be obedient to God’s call, to serve to the best of our ability, and to support the work of Bible translation here in Papua New Guinea. It is humbling to know there are over 339 languages here in the Pacific, and 1,680 languages world-wide that still have no Bible translation work begun yet. That is approximately 1.5 billion people without God’s Word in their first language. But we are reminded that work is being done in more than 2,800 languages world-wide, and more than 700 languages do have the full Bible (source: Wycliffe Global Alliance, October 2022). The goal of this work is to enable people to encounter the living God through His Word, so that people’s lives, families, and communities can be transformed. Much like when we plant many flowers, we trust and pray for God to bring the fruit. We are always very encouraged to see this happening in many communities, as Papua New Guineans are being trained and discipled to share the Good News about Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross. Now, as we enter the 40 days leading up to Easter, please pray with us for these communities to go deeper in their knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ, and pray for divine opportunities for those who have not yet heard the Good News. May God bring the fruit, and receive all the glory.

Rainy days do bring wonderful blessings...

Another blessing of the rainy season is the flowers it brings. The vine-like passion fruit growing on ourback fence started out as little shoots in cups that we transplanted last June. They barely hung on through the dry season, but with some nurturing and fertilizing, they survived. Then the rains came, andnow they have taken over the back fence, covering it with a green carpet of vines. Their subdued flowers (pictured, left) don’t attract much attention from people, but do draw an array of butterflies and other pollinators. Once pollinated, they have begun bearing fruit; at first, one ripe passionfruit here or there, but now, an entire sink-full (see picture above). What are you nurturing right now? Praythat the Lord of the harvest will bring it to fruition.

Prayer Points....

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

• Bible translation: Pray for the God’s Big Story workshop, as trainees from several different language groups teach what they have learned to the Tami people next month.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for Scott as he on-boards the new PNG Chief Human Resources Officer, and praise for all of the students at Ukarumpa International School who just finished their successful theater production.

• PNG missionaries: Praise for the translation team families who are able to spend time in their villages, and for the new families in the PNG Orientation Course who will be going to the village soon.

• God’s provision: Thank you for your prayers, and for your faithful financial partnership with ourWycliffe ministry in PNG. We could not continue serving here without you.