Tropical Tip of the Day

Leave your green pineapples on the plant until the bottoms are yellow-orange. Then you can pick them and hang them upside-down, so the sugars move to the top and it finishes ripening. Don't try to leave the pineapple on the plant until it ripens, or the rats get to it first! We learned this the hard way...

Kwadima II incident - Public Statement

On Monday February 3rd, 2015 the SIL vessel Kwadima II was overtaken in open water and boarded by pirates near Alotau. During the course of the attack, members of the passengers and crew sustained non-life threatening injuries. In addition some personal items along with translator’s notes were lost, some of the vessel’s electronics were damaged. The ship has since made it safely back to port where the passengers and crew received medical attention and returned home that night. SIL is cooperating with local authorities as this matter is investigated..

ONE YEAR IN PNG!

One year ago today Kathy and I arrived in PNG. :) We are blessed to be here and look forward to what the Lord has in store for 2015. 

 In other news...We we're briefly in Cairns, Australia (January 3-11) so that Kathy could have a carcinoma removed. The surgery went well and the pathology report indicated that they got everything. While in Australia we we're also blessed to have some time to refresh for a few days. We're now back in Ukaumpa and jumping back into ministry. 

Ukarumpa International School In Need of Teachers

PUBLIC STATEMENT: Ukarumpa International School is in urgent need of teachers for the upcoming school year and beyond. Opportunities are available in most subjects and age levels from preschool up to the end of high school, with teachers for grades 3-6 being the highest priority need from June 2015; administrative/leadership positions are also available. Visit www.uispng.org, see our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uFwFYNvcyw, or email hr-UISrecruiter@sil.org.pg for more information on supporting the work of Bible translation in Papua New Guinea by teaching Missionary Kids.

We are definitely not in NH anymore...

There are certainly many things that are radically different about being in Papua New Guinea, as compared to New Hampshire. The climate is considerably the most notable difference at this time of year. We are still trying to acclimate to being in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning that December 21st is the start of Summer, not Winter here. 

We have also definitely entered the rainy season and have downpours almost every afternoon. This is just fine with us , since it replenishes our water tank, which provides the running water in our house, and keeps everything looking beautiful and lush. At home, we would grow an amaryllis bulb inside each Christmas: that being said, we still miss the snow!

Top Ten Christmas Blessings...

1. Blessed to be helping bring the Bible to those without it in their heart languages.

2. Blessed to be serving alongside many other faithful missionaries.

3. Blessed to be forming positive relationships with Papua New Guineans and expats alike.

4. Blessed that progress is being made toward peace in the valley.

5. Blessed that we continue to improve our communications skills.

6. Blessed that God is sending more workers to His Harvest fields, but even more are still needed.

7. Blessed to be able to celebrate the birth of Christ with friends. 

8. Blessed with God's provision for our needs so far, even as we continue to seek partnerships.

9. Blessed that God has seen us through tough times this year, and He is always faithful.

10. Blessed with wonderful family and friends who love us pray for us, and support what we are called to be doing here in PNG!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We want to start by thanking everyone who has so faithfully prayed for us and helped to support us financially in our ministry this year. It is difficult for us to believe that we have almost been in PNG an entire year now, and 2014 has been filled with challenging new experiences, cultures, languages, customs, and even viruses! God has been so faithful to us through it all, seeing us through each one and we trust He will continue to as long as we are called to serve Him here. 

Scott has just completed the final draft of a security proposal he and a task force have worked on for the last 9 months. The community will evaluate it and vote on what portions to accept and begin the implementation of in 2015. 

Kathy has completed her first semester at UISSC, finished her grading, and will begin preparing for next semester’s classes. She would also appreciate your prayers for a small carcinoma she will need to have removed in Australia in January. 

We both had the wonderful opportunity recently to share in a mumu, a traditional meal cooked in the ground over hot coals and stones, wrapped in banana leaves. We shared stories and good food with our Papua New Guinean friends, and were reminded that we are all truly part of the same family of God through Jesus Christ. May God bless you and your family this Christmas and New Year as well! 

A mumu is a feast for all of the senses: colorful veggies and meat piled high on red hot coals and banana leaves, sizzling as water is poured over it, and steaming hot once it is uncovered- delicious!