Mission Partners: It takes a team to support Bible translation

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” -Proverbs 15:22 KJV

If you have been following our ministry, you know that we work with Wycliffe Bible Translators USA and that we serve in support roles in Papua New Guinea (PNG). What some of you may not know is that we also work with the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). SIL, established in 1934, and Wycliffe, established in 1942, were both founded by Cameron Townsend to serve the cause of Bible translation. We and many of our colleagues are Wycliffe USA members assigned to SIL in Papua New Guinea. We are honored to serve as members of both organizations and plan to continue to do so according to God’s will for our lives. Another organization, also established by Cameron Townsend in 1948, is JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Relay Service). JAARS is based in North Carolina and provides aviation, maritime and other services in support of Bible translation. When we fly on mission aircraft, we are flying with JAARS-trained pilots. Some of the teachers at our school are sent from Teach Beyond, another mission organization that provides educators to serve at international Christian schools. Since PNG is the most linguistically diverse country in the world, it takes quite a team to support the work of Bible translation. That team consists of people with a multitude of skill sets from a multitude of organizations. As Christians, we all have the common goal of seeing God’s will and work to be done to the ends of the Earth. If you feel called to serve overseas, please pray first and then contact us; we are happy to answer your questions and refer you to recruiters. Thank you again for your prayers and support of the work God is doing here in PNG!

Transitions…

Transitions are a very significant part of missionary life; people frequently come and go and the staffing needs of the mission change regularly. After a short holiday with friends, we are back in Ukarumpa. Kathy is using the rest of her school break to prepare for the next semester, which starts in late July. Scott has just transitioned into a new role as SIL Global Child Safety Director, while still maintaining part-time assignments here in Security and Crisis Management. We are grateful to God for allowing us to use our skills to serve the children of Bible translators and support staff in two very different but very important ways.

Prayer Points...

 • Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for unity in the PNG church, and praise for the many translation organizations present at the recent Bible Bilum Forum.

• Bible translation: Praise for the Notsi Bible dedication in New Ireland last month and for another community receiving access to God’s Word.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for the new school year at Ukarumpa International School beginning on July 24. Pray for wisdom and discernment for Scott in his new role as SIL Global Child Safety Director.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for the families who will be returning to PNG to begin the new school year and continue their work here in PNG.

• God’s provision: You’re such a blessing from the LORD in our lives and we could not serve here without you - thank you for your prayer support & encouragement!

Saying goodbye…

Photo Credit: Amy Evers

 

We are in a season of goodbyes right now, as the school year comes to a close in three weeks and many families leave, either for a home assignment or to finish their time here in PNG. We also said a sad goodbye to our dog J.C., who would have been 16 years old in July. We have loved having him as our own these last three years since we adopted him from his original family, but we’ve known him since 2015. He was a beloved part of our lives here and will be so sorely missed. Thank you for praying for all those saying goodbye this month and the heartache that causes; we’re grateful that our God knows all about grief and will always comfort us in the midst of it.

Finishing our tenth year teaching at Ukarumpa International School…

Photo Credit: Ken Nelson

 

“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.” 1 Timothy 4:10-11 NIV

It has been a blessing to see another year at UIS nearing completion, with all of the joy and excitement that brings. Our students love to learn, to have fun and to engage with each other and their teachers, making this a special place to teach. It has been a privilege to educate them this year, and to see them grow in their understanding of God, His creation, and themselves. Whether Kathy was helping the Grades 6 and 7 classes launch water bottle rockets (pictured below), dissecting cane toads and rats with the Grade 9 students (not pictured :-), or performing experiments with the Grade10 Chemistry in the Community class, it has been a full and fruitful year. Pray for Scott’s Self Defense class as they complete their scenario-based final exam this week, known as Club Mayhem; it’s an opportunity to put all of their knowledge into practice. Praise for Sports Day taking place last week, and for good weather for the event. Pray for upcoming semester exams, as the students strive to finish the year well and to demonstrate their knowledge in all of their rigorous academic subjects. Praise for our graduating class and the ways the LORD is guiding their steps and providing for all of their needs. Psalm 150:6 (ESV) says, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD” and we will praise Him and be thankful always.

Prayer Points...

 • Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for all of the language groups who do have access to God’s Word to be faithfully using and applying it in their daily lives.

• Bible translation: Pray for the Nobonob Bible dedication in early June to bring glory to God and be well received by the community.

• Our roles in PNG: Praise for a few more teachers in the pipeline for next year. Pray for everyone at UIS to finish strong. Pray for Scott, the Security team, and the Crisis Management Team, for wisdom, discernment and safety.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for the families who will be leaving PNG within the next month, for good closure and peace as they transition back to their passport countries.

• God’s provision: You’re such a blessing from the LORD in our lives and we could not serve here without you - thank you for your prayer support & encouragement!

Celebrating Resurrection Sunday…

 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:26 NKJV

We are a community, with each family serving alongside of us in Papua New Guinea for the same purpose - that every language group might receive God’s Word in their heart language, the language that they understand best. But why is this so important? It is because we believe that Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be in the Gospels: the Son of God, the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the only way to God the Father. We are privileged to have several translations of the Bible at our fingertips, but many language groups here in PNG still only have access to the Tok Pisin Bible, written in the primary trade language, and no access to God’s Word in their heart language. As it says in Romans 10:14, “And how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?”. Our desire is for all people to hear the Good News about Jesus, so they can choose to believe and be saved from their sins. Please continue to pray for everyone engaged in Bible translation here and around the world - until all have heard and Jesus returns!