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!

Praise for a new fire truck…

 

Our Volunteer Fire Department, including Scott, trains twice a month to respond to various types of fires. Recently, the department was blessed to replace our aging truck with a newer retired one from Australia. The new vehicle is larger, better equipped and steers more easily on our small dirt and gravel roads. Though structure fires are rare here, a family lost their home to a fire just a couple of years ago. It is also winter in PNG, which is the dry season, so grass fires become more common and can get out of control. We are thankful for the volunteer fire fighting team here in Ukarumpa who keep us safe!

Prayer Points:

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for wisdom for PNG leaders and for peace in the Aiyura Valley.

• Bible translation: Praise for all of the spiritual breakthroughs witnessed by the Scripture Use team in Pamosu last week; pray for continued open hearts to God’s Word and translation efforts there.

• Our roles in PNG: Praise for a good finish to the school year and for a beautiful graduation! Pray for wisdom and discernment for Scott and the SIL Global Child Safety team.

• PNG missionaries: Praise for the safe travels of families who left after school ended. Please pray for families who are still waiting for visas to be approved before they can return to PNG in July.

• God’s provision: We pray for you always and thank you for your faithful partnership with our Wycliffe ministry. Thank you for enabling us to continue serving faithfully in PNG.

God is with us, especially in the transitions…

                                             Photo credit: Anita McCarthy

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”      1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

Another school year is rapidly coming to an end, and with it all of the “lasts” for our students, especially those preparing to graduate. It hits a little differently here; not just our graduates, but their entire families leave for their passport countries shortly after graduation. This means younger siblings also have to say goodbye to their friends, home and pets. It means adults in the community need to say goodbye to their friends and colleagues, too. Sometimes it is just for a short home assignment, sometimes it is for good, as people finish their time in this mission field. It is part of the ebb and flow of life here in Ukarumpa, as we prepare to grieve the loss of friends and those we hold dear, even as we have the joyful expectation of others returning in July. We remind our students about transition tools like RAFT (reconciliation, affirmation, farewells, thinking ahead) but frankly, we need to use those tools ourselves. We reflect on all of the growth we’ve seen in our students as they take final exams and finish projects. But we don’t always stop to reflect on our own journeys, like the blessing it was for Kathy to teach the Anatomy and Physiology class for a semester, and see students ready to launch and pursue medical careers, to put their knowledge to use. We will continue to pray for each of these students as God leads and directs their steps. And we will rejoice and give thanks for the opportunities we’ve had to speak into their lives for a season. We will say our goodbyes, but know that thanks to Jesus, we will see our friends again, either in heaven or on earth, and that is always worth celebrating!