A Visit to JAARS

We were blessed to visit the JAARS center in Waxhaw, NC, and see where the aviation, land & water transportation, IT and media training takes place for Wycliffe pilots, mechanics and electronics specialists. We were invited to speak about our roles and ministry in PNG as well, and we had a wonderful opportunity to see many people from Ukarumpa. Some we know and are also currently on home assignment; some we only knew by name and it was great to finally meet them in person. Pray for JAARS Day on March 12th as they share with their community what God is doing around the world!

Photo Credit: Bob Mantell

Opportunities with old and new friends...

Furlough, or home assignment, has been a time for us to catch up with family and friends and meet new people along the way. We arrived in the U.S. on December 17th and spent the next several days in Dover, New Hampshire, where we visited with friends from our home church. We then traveled south for Christmas and have been on the road ever since. Thus far, we’ve traveled approximately 6,000 miles through twelve states. Along the way, we’ve had the opportunity to share about the amazing things that God is doing in Papua New Guinea and how our roles support the vital work of Bible translation. We are now back in New Hampshire and plan to spend most of the remainder of our time in the U.S. helping out in our home church, visiting people, and presenting about our Wycliffe ministry to churches, individuals and small groups in the New England area.

Photo Credit: Steve Walker

A time of education...

“Translation teams handle God’s Word like a precious metal, carefully recasting it from one language to another.” As a science teacher, Kathy loves this image of God’s Word as a precious metal, like pure gold, being poured or hammered into a new form, different looking and yet intrinsically the same, so that it will have the correct meaning in the particular culture and language that is receiving it. How do you describe the love of God in a way that will resonate correctly in a different culture and language? In Liberia, you could translate “Jesus loves me” as “Jesus loves me” and be understood. But in the Tboli language in the Philippines, “Jesus loves me” would be translated as “Jesus has a big breath for me”. And in the Awa language of Papua New Guinea, “Jesus loves me” would be best translated as “Jesus wants me in His liver”. Of the almost 7,000 known languages in the world, there are still 1800 that have no Scripture. Pray that the love of Jesus would be made known to each of them in a way they can understand!

 

A time of encouragement...

We just completed a training course called “Equip”, which was held at the Wycliffe USA Headquarters in Orlando, FL. Normally, people attend this course prior to serving overseas, but since we transitioned to Wycliffe USA while serving in Papua New Guinea, we had the opportunity to attend during our home assignment. Our fellow students included recent college graduates, retirees and former missionary kids now going to the field themselves. As we worked and worshipped together, we were reminded that we are all part of one body seeking to bring God’s Word to those who do not yet have the Bible in their own language. How encouraging to see God calling people from all walks and stages of life to fulfill His great commission! 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

We want to wish you all a very joyful Christmas season. Though our circumstances may not always be happy, we have learned that our joy comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ, and in this season we remember that He is Emmanuel: God with us. It is the most amazing gift we will ever receive and we pray that none of us ever take it for granted. Please pray for us as we prepare for our transition back to the U.S.; we will have a busy schedule and a lot of travel almost immediately upon our return. We are so excited to be seeing friends and family again soon, but it is also painful to say goodbye to new friends and “family” here; please pray that we will finish well. We have worked hard to wrap up our jobs here to the best of our abilities, but please pray for those who will cover our positions while we are gone for six months. We feel deeply that God is calling us to return in July, and we have been encouraged by our colleagues’ desire to see us return as well. It has been an amazing two years here in Papua New Guinea, and Scott and I thank you for all of your love and support. If you have been able to financially partner with our Wycliffe ministry, we thank you very much and pray that you would continue to partner with us in 2016. We are currently at 51% of our needed ministry budget. If you would like to begin partnering with this ministry, would you consider a monthly pledge or a tax-deductible year end gift? The Holy Spirit is moving in wonderful ways in PNG and you can be a part of the work God is doing here in people’s lives! 

Our Year in Review...

Kathy just completed teaching a full year of Biology in one semester, and is very grateful for how the students stepped up, worked hard, and did a great job with a great attitude!

Scott improved relationships with local law enforcement and our contract security provider.

Kathy also completed teaching a semester of middle school science and is grateful for the colleague who will continue her classes in 2016.

Scott worked with law enforcement to recover stolen property and prosecute several local criminals.

Scott and Kathy participated in a community Bible study and grew closer to God while encouraging and supporting others in the community.

Scott revitalized the security awareness program and conducted risk assessments for residences, SIL departments and other missions.

Kathy participated in a Women’s Bible study and formed mentoring relationships with women on center.

Scott led a high school senior boy’s Bible study and assisted with the annual youth retreat “Encounter”. 

Saying Goodbye...

Part of being a missionary is learning to say goodbye and to live in transition. Today I said goodby to my “PNG mom” and we cried and promised to pray for each other while we are apart. We exchanged Christmas gifts and I was humbled to receive two cucumbers from her garden- literally her “first fruits” harvested since the drought dried everything up. She explained that she gave her very first to the pastor of her church, and then wanted to share the next with us, because God had blessed her through us during the drought and she now wanted to bring an offering in return. It is wonderful to see how the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of the beautiful people of Papua New Guinea, to see God’s Word being taught to the next generation and Jesus Christ being proclaimed! -Kathy