Prayer Points:

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray against the spread of COVID-19, here in Ukarumpa and throughout PNG.

• Bible translation: Praise for the Old Testament being completed in Kamano Kafe; now they will have the entire Bible in their heart language!

• Our roles in PNG: Praise for a successful end to Term 3 at school. Pray for Scott’s search for a new a national assistant.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for a good transition for another flight of families who returned to Ukarumpa last week.

• God’s provision: We are always thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and it is a blessing to be here in Papua New Guinea this Easter to celebrate His sacrifice for us all.

Chosen...

“I lift my eyes to the mountains; where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” 

-Psalm 121:1-2

We celebrated the start of 2021 here in Ukarumpa, and marveled afresh that God would have chosen us to serve here in Papua New Guinea 7 years ago. That time has flown by and has included many joys, challenges, triumphs and tears. The one constant through it all has been our God, who is faithful and loving, and our ever-present help in times of trouble. We often look at the beautiful mountains that surround the Aiyura valley and pray Psalm 121, acknowledging that we don’t often have the strength we need, but we do serve Jesus, who walks with us and helps us to carry each burden. He reminds us to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. Our prayer this new year is to take these words to heart and learn from Him. Has He chosen you for something bigger than you think you can handle? We pray you will take Him at His Word, learn from Him, and find rest for your soul this year. And thank you again for continuing to pray for us and our ministries here in Papua New Guinea!

Reasons to Celebrate

As a teacher, Kathy loves getting to go to her student’s weddings! We went to our first PNG wedding last weekend, and it was a blessing to watch a lovely couple commit to each other and to God, especially after enduring so many hardships last year. We enjoyed a beautiful day outside (with lots of sunscreen) and reflected on how Christ’s love for His church is mirrored in marriage (see Ephesians 5:22-33). We will celebrate our 30th anniversary later this year and pray God will bless this couple with the joy and love we’ve experienced.

Prayer Points:

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray against the spread of COVID-19 throughout PNG and pray for peace and wisdom.

• Bible translation: Pray for the literacy and education teams working alongside the Bible translation teams.

• Our roles in PNG: Praise for a successful start to Semester 2at school. Pray for Scott’s search for a new assistant.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for a good transition for another flight of families returning to Ukarumpa this week.

• God’s provision: Would you consider becoming a part of our team? Due to the pandemic, we have lost several partners and need $875 per month to meet our budget. Please click the link below- thank you!

God is still in control, even in 2020…

Thank God for our ability to return to PNG 

This year has been an interesting time for us, and likely for you as well. In March 2020, as we were about to return to PNG, international travel stopped and countries closed their borders due to the global pandemic. Over the next 6 months, we and many of our colleagues kept trying to return to the field and finally, on our sixth try, we were able to return to Papua New Guinea on a World Food Program flight from Malaysia. As we look back on 2020, we are thankful. God provided for us through His people in so many ways: housing, vehicles, friendship, funds and opportunities for service to keep us busy and productive. So yes, 2020 has been eventful and unusual, and some would even say unprecedented, but through it all God has been in control. As we enter into 2021, we encourage you to seek His will for your life and to allow Him to use you wherever you are.

Getting released from quarantine with our fellow returnees

 Scott is happily back to his role as Field Security Officer and Kathy is back teaching at Ukarumpa International School. Scott also got to be a ‘guest earthquake’ to test student projects  and had too much fun!

We are praying for you and your family. Thank you for your prayers and your financial partnership with our Wycliffe ministry; you allow us to continue to serve in our roles in Papua New Guinea.

Seeing God at Work…

Bible Translation: God's promises being fulfilled

We know that 2020 has been a challenging time for everyone, and we have been praying intentionally for each of you throughout this year. One of our prayers has been for wisdom, to see where God is at work in the midst of the difficulties, and to give Him the honor, glory and praise He deserves, despite our circumstances. Where have you seen God at work this year? Even with all of the restrictions to global travel due to the pandemic, we have seen 21 families able to return to their ministries in PNG and continue to serve where God has called them. Lord-willing, there will be another 10 families returning in December; please pray for their COVID tests to come back negative, and for their safe and smooth travels. 

In Papua New Guinea, God has worked in amazing ways this past year. Even though some personnel needed to return to their passport countries due to the pandemic, Bible translation still progressed. Work moved on-line and remote for several months, but now translation teams are returning to their villages. School was also remote for several months, but now classes are meeting in person on campus. We do not take this for granted; to date, there have been 7 deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 599 confirmed cases in PNG, and we pray for God’s continued mercy and protection. 

We continue to be extraordinarily blessed to serve in Papua New Guinea, and we invite you to be a part of this team effort. Would you prayerfully consider joining our Wycliffe ministry team as a prayer and monthly financial partner so that we can continue to serve in our roles in PNG? The story of Christmas is simple, yet profound: God sent His son Jesus to be Emmanuel, God with us, and through Him, reconciled us to Himself. Jesus was the hands and feet of God on this earth, and He calls all Christians today to follow in His footsteps. We continue to serve in Papua New Guinea as His hands and feet in obedience to that call. We are deeply thankful for the team of faithful people that He is using, both in the US and PNG, to make this possible. Come, o come, Emmanuel!

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 

-Matthew 1: 21-23 (NKJV)

Blessings,

Scott & Kathy Watson

2020 by the numbers...

‣ 142 PNG languages with Bible translations currently in progress

‣ 188 language personnel serving in PNG

‣ 216 New Testaments completed & dedicated

‣ 204 support personnel serving in PNG

‣ Personnel from 18 countries represented

‣ 252 PNG national employees serving

‣ 5 New Testaments: Nali (50%), Fanamaket, Vitu, Ura and Gizrra are dedicated this year

‣ 9 training courses are offered, from Basic Exegesis and Hebrew to Anthropology, Hands-on Linguistics and Translator Training 1&2

‣ 1 Jesus film script in the Tigak language is printed and recorded

‣ Ukarumpa International School (UIS) receives its accreditation from WASC through 2026

Thank you again for faithfully praying!