Kathy is thankful for...

...her students! It has been a wonderful semester at Ukarumpa International School, and a blessing to get to know these students better.  Serving with them at the ice cream booth during the UIS Carnival was a special opportunity, as we served the community together.  The Science 7 & 8 students have worked diligently, producing the cell models you see on the left.  The Biology students are wrapping up an entire year’s curriculum this semester, having met twice every day, and have shown perseverance and a good attitude throughout.  I will really miss these students next semester, but trust that God’s timing is perfect, and if He desires, we will be back in July just in time for the new school year to begin. The need is great, and I want to follow wherever God leads- would you pray with me for His provision of new partners so that we can return to serve in Papua New Guinea?-Kathy

Thankful for the last two years...

At a recent church service, we celebrated the Bible translations that have been accomplished during the last two years; it was especially meaningful to us since that is how long we have been in Papua New Guinea. Thirty New Testaments, revisions, Scripture portions, audio-Bibles - all in different languages, being used to bring the hope of Jesu At a recent church service, we celebrated the Bible translations that have been accomplished during the last two years; it was especially meaningful to us since that is how long we have been in Papua New Guinea. Thirty New Testaments, revisions, Scripture portions, audio-Bibles - all in different languages, being used to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the people of PNG! -Kathy

God’s Sovereignty and Our Duty...

Early in my career I was blessed to work for a large financial services company with a very well developed corporate security program. My time at that firm changed my outlook on a great many things and helped to focus my corporate career. One of the lessons I learned was expressed in the frequently heard phrase “sense of urgency”. Since big goals rested on many smaller, less glamourous, accomplishments, there were no unimportant tasks; everything was done with a sense of urgency. I bought into that concept and it helped me immensely in the corporate world. In fact, it still helps me as a missionary, but I’ve found that there are limits to this kind of thinking.

As a missionary, I’m ultimately working for God and, unlike when I worked for corporations, my failure to meet certain goals doesn’t even slightly derail His plans. It is not as if God is surprised when something doesn’t work out the way I had intended. On the other hand, the fact that God is sovereign is not an excuse for inaction on my part. We all have to use our God-given talents to the best of our abilities in advancement of His Kingdom. So how does one learn to relax in the knowledge that God is sovereign and still keep that sense of urgency? I still don’t know the answer to that question but I take solace in knowing that He is not done with me yet. -Scott

Relationships

So much of what we do here is dependent upon our relationships. Scott has been slowly developing a better relationship between SIL and the local Police in the Aiyura Valley. Please pray for a highly productive partnership that will be mutually beneficial for the missionaries in Ukarumpa as well as the people of the valley and ultimately glorifying to God. 

Responding to El Nino...

Matthew 25:37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?” (NIV)

As a science teacher, I have conceptually discussed with students the periodic warm water current event in the Pacific Ocean known as El Nino, and the resulting extreme global weather patterns it can trigger. What I never expected was to be living in the Pacific during one of the strongest on record. In 1997, the strongest El Nino recorded caused flooding in some regions and extreme drought in many Pacific island nations, including Papua New Guinea, ultimately deemed responsible for over 20,000 deaths in PNG alone. Only God knows how strong this current climatic event will be, but we will trust His sovereignty in the midst of it. 

What I do know is this is an opportunity for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to people in need. I can be a good steward of the resources I have been blessed with, conserve them, and share them with others. I can give a bottle of clean drinking water to a woman who now has to walk increasingly long distances to unreliable sources. I can bless a family with a kilogram of rice to help feed their children and grandchildren. I can spend time praying with people and share the hope that I have in Jesus Christ, no matter what the circumstances. Thank you for your prayers for us, and for the people of the Pacific, during this challenging time. I thank God that He is bigger than El Nino and will use this for His Glory, working both in us and through us, to accomplish His purposes for building His Kingdom. -Kathy

PNG Independence Day

The students and staff at UIS dressed out in PNG colors and costumes for the 40th anniversary of the independence of Papua New Guinea, which became a sovereign nation on September 16th, 1975. We met at the flag pole and sang the national anthem together, PNG nationals and expats alike, all celebrating freedom and God’s abundant provision for this nation. My favorite verse:

“Now give thanks to the good Lord above, for His kindness, His wisdom and love. For this land of our fathers so free, Papua New Guinea.”

Photo credit: Dr. Bob Noble 

-Kathy

Keeping Watch...

Proverbs 22:3 “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” (NIV)

As Security Operations Manager or “SOM”, one of my roles is to help other missionaries understand the personal and operational risks associated with ministry in Papua New Guinea. In addition to managing the day-to- day operations of the security program here in Ukarumpa, I help with new member orientation and conduct regular security awareness seminars on a wide variety of topics. I also conduct residential and departmental security surveys, advise individuals on personal security matters and monitor events throughout the country. This monitoring function is important because it allows translators and other missionaries to make informed decisions about travel and other ministry activities. By monitoring the news and other open source media, as well as maintaining relationships with other mission organizations, law enforcement, contract security companies, government contacts, individuals and businesses, a risk picture starts to develop. Since answering God’s call to this missionary endeavor, many people have asked me about the need for security in the overseas mission field. It is true that our ultimate security rests exclusively with Jesus Christ, but we each have a responsibility to look after our brothers and sisters. I am honored to be able to use my God-given talents in support of His work here in Papua New Guinea.  -Scott

She is... Brave

Isaiah 43:18b-19 “Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (NIV)

I am always awestruck by how God uses the Body of Christ, His church, not only to reach out to those who do not yet know Him, but to also minister to others within the Body. A dozen wonderful women from Queensland, Australia, travelled to Ukarumpa to bless us with a women’s retreat on the theme, “She is Brave”. Now, I certainly don’t feel brave most days, and must daily rely on the Lord’s strength to be serving here, but I was intrigued and am so glad I attended. The worship and teaching were uplifting and solid, and their message was one of great encouragement, but also of action. I was convicted of new steps I could take to step bravely forward, and we discussed useful “arrows” we could put in our “quivers” that would help us to pursue bravery as a lifestyle, even as Christ is molding us into humble servants. As I celebrate my 46th birthday this month, I marvel at how God is still patiently, gently molding me and sanding off the rough edges, even as He is calling me to continue to step up and out of my comfort zone to serve Him. I praise God for a time of spiritual refreshment and refilling, as I prepare for a new term at UIS and the stress of packing and preparing to return to the U.S. for furlough in December. Thank you for being an active part of the Body of Christ, as prayer warriors on our behalf to encourage us and carry us though- we appreciate you! -Kathy