Stewardship in the Waiting…

Photo Credit: Sun Magar

“For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the ocean depths. He causes the mist to ascend from the ends of the earth, He makes lightning for the rain; He brings forth the wind from His treasuries.” -Psalm 135:5-7 (NASB)

The current drought in Papua New Guinea is projected to continue through April of 2027. Here in Ukarumpa, we were blessed with two days of rain last week, but otherwise we haven’t seen any significant rainfall since May. The drought not only impacts the water supply on our center, but also the food supply of our neighbors in the surrounding communities. This, in turn, impacts people’s health and contributes to increased security and safety issues in the Aiyura Valley. Our Crisis Management Team has worked with leadership to implement water conservation measures while our Construction and Maintenance Department has been working with a team from the U.S. to dig wells in Ukarumpa. One well, located near the entrance to our center, is producing approximately 4 Liters of water a minute and we have set up a system where our neighbors can bring their containers to fill. The other wells are still being dug in a search for additional sources of water for both our operations and to bless the surrounding communities. In addition to the drought, PNG is also experiencing a fuel and medical supply shortage, which are being actively managed through the combined efforts our leadership, the Crisis Management Team, Aviation partners and our Clinic. We know that it is God who brings all good things, including rain, fuel and medical supplies. While we wait upon His perfect timing, we continue to be good stewards of our current blessings.

Pray for our dry season…

In the Eastern Highlands of PNG, May through November is considered to be the “dry season” during a typical year. During normal dry seasons, there is still plenty of rainfall to support local food production and to fill our rain tanks with water. This year, the El Nino driven drought has made the dry season truly dry. One of the cascading effects of this drought has been an increase in grass fires. Since joining the Ukarumpa Volunteer Fire Department (UVFD) last August, Scott has participated in bi-monthly training, one fire inspection and responded to ten active fire calls. Please pray for safety for the entire UVFD Team!

Prayer Points...

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for wisdom for PNG leaders responding to drought conditions throughout the country.

• Bible translation: Pray for Lynda and the Scripture Use team traveling to Domung to give a Bible Background workshop, for open hearts to God’s Big Story.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for students to stay healthy for the new school year. Pray for wisdom and discernment for Scott and the SIL Global Child Safety team, Crisis Management Team and Volunteer Firefighters.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for the new families who will be living in PNG villages for their PNG Orientation training for the next two weeks.

• God’s provision: You are in our prayers - thank you for your faithful partnership with our Wycliffe ministry, enabling us to serve faithfully in PNG.

Praise for the start of our new school year...

"Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not befoolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. " Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

It has been a great encouragement to the Ukarumpa community to see many families returning, in anticipation of the start of the new school year. After so many goodbyes, getting to catch up with returning friends and colleagues is a genuine blessing. We may be in PNG, but we still celebrated the American July 4th milestone of 250 years with a cookout and picnic, complete with a roll call of the states represented (over half!), sparklers, and red, white and blue glow sticks. Then it was right back to preparations for the new school year, with classes beginning on July 21st. Scott will be teaching Consumer Fraud this semester, and Kathy will teach Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science for grades 9-12. Our school's theme verse for this year is Ephesians 5:15-17, and our goal is to be intentional in everything we do. It is a humbling reminder that, as teachers, our students don't just listen to what we say, but also watch the way we live it out. And isn't this true for all of us as Christians? Thankfully, we know we have the Holy Spirit as our helper and comforter, because we cannot achieve this on our own, and God promises to grant us wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5). Thank you for your prayers; they have been answered, as families have received visas and been able to return. Your prayers for more teachers have also been heard - we have a full teaching staff this year! Please continue to pray for us, for health and endurance, as we strive to be intentional, faithfully serving this community and ultimately the Lord Jesus here in Ukarumpa.

Pray for our dry season...

Here in PNG, we do experience subtle changes of seasons, but they are more wet versus dry, with minor temperature differences and constant 12 hour days. This year's dry season is being affected by the current strong El Nino effect in the Pacific Ocean; based on previous similar events, it could potentially trigger drought. Please pray for rain, not only for our water tanks, from which our tap water is supplied, but also for our PNG neighbors, who depend on rain for their garden produce. We trust in the LORD for our needs and pray also for a team coming to attempt to drill several wells to help mitigate the water shortage.

Prayer Points:

• Papua New Guinea (PNG)•. Pray for wisdom for PNG leaders responding to drought conditions throughout the country.

• Bible translation: Praise for the Scripture Use team's Sunday school teacher training course in the Vitu language community. Pray they will be able to more fully use their translated New Testament to train and to teach others.

• Our roles in PNG: Praise for the start of our new school year! Pray for wisdom and discernment for Scott and the SIL Global Child Safety team.

• PNG missionaries: Praise for the safe travels of families who have returned to PNG for the new school year. Praise for the families who finally received visas and pray for those still waiting.

• God's provision: You are in our prayers - thank you for your faithful partnership with our Wycliffe ministry, enabling us to serve faithfully in PNG.

 

Serving God by serving other missions…

Photo Credit: Pastor Ham

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

There are several Christian missions working to advance the gospel in Papua New Guinea. While each mission has its own focus, the kinds of risks they face often overlap. In an effort to help one another, the missions regularly share security-related information, particularly about travel issues. Representatives of these missions also meet in person once a year to discuss the state of the nation. This past April, Scott spoke at their annual gathering at the Lapilo New Tribes mission station near Goroka, and shortly thereafter was asked to provide security help to another mission. In early June, Scott and Pastor Ham, one of our public relations officers, travelled overland to a mission hospital in Jiwaka province, which is about a six and a half hour drive west from Ukarumpa. Over the course of two very full days, Scott provided five anti-fraud training sessions, conducted two site security assessments and preached a sermon at the associated Bible Training College. Our brothers and sisters from the other mission showed Scott and Pastor Ham great hospitality as they shared meals, their experiences and how God is working in their lives. It is always a blessing to experience the many ways that the body of Christ works together, even in the management of organizational risk. It is also an honor and privilege to serve those in need around us, whether through practical teaching or simple words of encouragement over a shared meal. What divine appointments has the LORD led you to this month? What a blessing it is to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us!