Responding to El Nino...

Matthew 25:37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?” (NIV)

As a science teacher, I have conceptually discussed with students the periodic warm water current event in the Pacific Ocean known as El Nino, and the resulting extreme global weather patterns it can trigger. What I never expected was to be living in the Pacific during one of the strongest on record. In 1997, the strongest El Nino recorded caused flooding in some regions and extreme drought in many Pacific island nations, including Papua New Guinea, ultimately deemed responsible for over 20,000 deaths in PNG alone. Only God knows how strong this current climatic event will be, but we will trust His sovereignty in the midst of it. 

What I do know is this is an opportunity for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to people in need. I can be a good steward of the resources I have been blessed with, conserve them, and share them with others. I can give a bottle of clean drinking water to a woman who now has to walk increasingly long distances to unreliable sources. I can bless a family with a kilogram of rice to help feed their children and grandchildren. I can spend time praying with people and share the hope that I have in Jesus Christ, no matter what the circumstances. Thank you for your prayers for us, and for the people of the Pacific, during this challenging time. I thank God that He is bigger than El Nino and will use this for His Glory, working both in us and through us, to accomplish His purposes for building His Kingdom. -Kathy

PNG Independence Day

The students and staff at UIS dressed out in PNG colors and costumes for the 40th anniversary of the independence of Papua New Guinea, which became a sovereign nation on September 16th, 1975. We met at the flag pole and sang the national anthem together, PNG nationals and expats alike, all celebrating freedom and God’s abundant provision for this nation. My favorite verse:

“Now give thanks to the good Lord above, for His kindness, His wisdom and love. For this land of our fathers so free, Papua New Guinea.”

Photo credit: Dr. Bob Noble 

-Kathy

Keeping Watch...

Proverbs 22:3 “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” (NIV)

As Security Operations Manager or “SOM”, one of my roles is to help other missionaries understand the personal and operational risks associated with ministry in Papua New Guinea. In addition to managing the day-to- day operations of the security program here in Ukarumpa, I help with new member orientation and conduct regular security awareness seminars on a wide variety of topics. I also conduct residential and departmental security surveys, advise individuals on personal security matters and monitor events throughout the country. This monitoring function is important because it allows translators and other missionaries to make informed decisions about travel and other ministry activities. By monitoring the news and other open source media, as well as maintaining relationships with other mission organizations, law enforcement, contract security companies, government contacts, individuals and businesses, a risk picture starts to develop. Since answering God’s call to this missionary endeavor, many people have asked me about the need for security in the overseas mission field. It is true that our ultimate security rests exclusively with Jesus Christ, but we each have a responsibility to look after our brothers and sisters. I am honored to be able to use my God-given talents in support of His work here in Papua New Guinea.  -Scott

She is... Brave

Isaiah 43:18b-19 “Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (NIV)

I am always awestruck by how God uses the Body of Christ, His church, not only to reach out to those who do not yet know Him, but to also minister to others within the Body. A dozen wonderful women from Queensland, Australia, travelled to Ukarumpa to bless us with a women’s retreat on the theme, “She is Brave”. Now, I certainly don’t feel brave most days, and must daily rely on the Lord’s strength to be serving here, but I was intrigued and am so glad I attended. The worship and teaching were uplifting and solid, and their message was one of great encouragement, but also of action. I was convicted of new steps I could take to step bravely forward, and we discussed useful “arrows” we could put in our “quivers” that would help us to pursue bravery as a lifestyle, even as Christ is molding us into humble servants. As I celebrate my 46th birthday this month, I marvel at how God is still patiently, gently molding me and sanding off the rough edges, even as He is calling me to continue to step up and out of my comfort zone to serve Him. I praise God for a time of spiritual refreshment and refilling, as I prepare for a new term at UIS and the stress of packing and preparing to return to the U.S. for furlough in December. Thank you for being an active part of the Body of Christ, as prayer warriors on our behalf to encourage us and carry us though- we appreciate you! -Kathy

How Much Do You Value Your Education?

Proverbs 22:6 “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (NIV)

It has been a genuine pleasure to begin my second year teaching at Ukarumpa International School. The school exists to provide a quality education for the kids of Bible translators and the staff who support them. But missionary kids (MKs) are only a part of our student body, as we reach out and enroll kids from the the wider Papua New Guinean community. The average level of education completed in PNG is Grade 6, which significantly limits the opportunities of adults for varied employment. The Papua New Guinean students I teach in Grades 7, 8 and 10 know this and are truly appreciative

of the education they are receiving, thanking me each day for teaching them. The mother of one bright, Grade 7 girl asked to meet with me last June, just to tell me how much she appreciated me and the school. She tearfully said how much her daughter would miss it, as she would be unable to return this year due to financial reasons. We prayed together and I boldly asked God for a miracle, so this lovely girl with such great potential could continue her education at UIS. I cannot express how overjoyed I was to see her smiling face in my Grade 8 class this year! God is working in powerful ways here, preparing these young girls and boys to be future leaders of their nation. Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership that are an active, vital part of this process. 

Students at UIS

The international flags on the middle school lockers reflect the cultural diversity at Ukarumpa International School well. Many different nations and cultures come together in a robust learning environment where Jesus Christ is the central foundation and binding common ground. Please pray for good relationships between students and each other, their teachers, and the community in which we live. 


-Kathy

Saying Goodbye to a Mentor and Friend...

This week the Ukarumpa Community and indeed the entire Aiyura Valley said good bye to Arua Tepi, a good friend, mentor and co- worker who supported Bible Translation efforts for 34 years. Arua spent his last several years working as the Assistant to the Security Operations Manager and he excelled in his work. Even though I was his manager, it was he who mentored me; helping me to understand cultural differences, improve my Tok Pisin and keeping me focused on the big picture of what God is doing in Papua New Guinea.  Shortly after my arrival, Arua came into my office and asked if I was OK with him conducting prayer walks around the center during the overnight shift. You see, Arua had a good understanding of physical security and its limits in a mission environment. More importantly, Arua understood that God has no limits and his life reflected that reality. 

Arua had a sixth grade education and yet could just as wisely counsel Ph.D’s as he could contract security staff or market vendors. Despite the fact that Arua was from the Southern Highlands and not local to the Aiyura Valley, he was able to make peace between opposing parties. During Arua’s memorial service, many people came forward to tell how he’d led them to Christ, mentored young people and come to the aid of several others in difficult circumstances. While we mourn the loss of our mentor and friend, we take solace in the fact that he is in the presence of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. One of Arua’s favorite verses was 1 Corinthians 15:58:

“Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV) 

-Scott

Frost and Drought in PNG

This article makes a good point about the cascading impacts that these kinds of issues have on people. Please keep this matter in your prayers.

http://www.pg.undp.org/content/papua_new_guinea/en/home/presscenter/articles/2015/08/26/frost-and-drought-strikes-papua-new-guinea.html