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! 

Top 10 Thanksgiving Praises

1. Praise for the work of Bible translation worldwide 

2. Praise for the missionaries God has called here to serve in PNG  

3. Praise for the faithful people who live in the surrounding villages, who are a blessing to us through their produce, service, help and friendship 

4. Praise that our Tok Pisin skills are improving, as is our ability to communicate more clearly 

5. Praise for a quieting-down of tensions in the valley 

6. Praise for a new group of POC graduates on center- we’re not the “newbies” anymore! 

7. Praise for the friends we’ve made and with whom we will spend Thanksgiving 

8. Praise for God’s provision for our needs so far, even as we continue to seek partnerships. 

9. Praise for God’s protection and direction of us each day 

10. Praise for what Jesus has done and is doing here in PNG!  

Discovering New Traditions for which to be Thankful

Being the eldest of five children, I have grown to love that my family has lots of traditions. We would enjoy spending the holidays together whenever possible, loudly sharing and laughing over a big meal (even when the meal was at a local buffet!). And when the traveling distance did not permit me to be with my nuclear family, I have been blessed to be taken in by loving surrogate families, first in graduate school, and then at our home church, Dover Baptist. 

Frankly, leaving our loving family and friends was the hardest part about coming to Papua New Guinea. But by God’s grace and mercy, He is giving us a new family here. First, our POC family, with whom we spent 12 weeks bonding and learning about life here in PNG. Now, our Ukarumpa family, with whom we live and work and spend time studying God’s Word. And slowly, our Papua New Guinean family, with whom we are developing relationships and sharing the love of Jesus. 

Yes, it will be a very different Thanksgiving and Christmas season for us, but because we have brothers and sisters in Christ wherever we are on the globe, it will be filled with loving family. I will miss my family’s traditions, but I hope to make some great new ones here. And we plan to have Thanksgiving dinners with our community Bible study group and POC family, so there will still be plenty of loud sharing and laughing over a big meal. May God bless you and all your loved ones this Thanksgiving!... Kathy  

A New Perspective on Thanksgiving

I have always known that I had a lot to be thankful for, but back home my thanksgiving was somewhat of an intellectual exercise. I knew that God provided and I was thankful and happy in that knowledge. Now that we are serving in PNG, my perspective has changed. I now have a more visceral appreciation of just how reliant I am on Him. 

As any new missionary will attest, adjusting to a new culture is difficult. Perceptions of time, personal space and community are different. You miss people and places, your favorite foods and being able to express yourself clearly. Mostly, you just miss the feeling of being relaxed. 

Beyond the cultural readjustments, there are differences in how work is done. Given my role as Security Operations Manager, I cannot write in detail about many of the issues that I deal with on a daily basis. Suffice it to say that, despite being blessed with the right education, training, professional certifications and twenty three years of experience, I am not adequately equipped to handle my responsibilities. There is just too much that is out of my control; too many unknowns and far too few resources. 

Yet, despite my many short-comings, God has provided exactly what I’ve needed when I’ve needed it. This position is, by far, the most stressful security role I’ve ever had and yet, by His grace and provision, I am excited about the prospect of serving in PNG for many years to come. 

As we approach Thanksgiving, please join me in remembering what this day is truly about; giving God the glory, thanks and praise for His constant grace and provision. 

Happy Thanksgiving

We have been reflecting on the many reasons we have to be thankful lately. It has been a challenging 11 months but God has given us the strength, endurance and wisdom we have needed, as we have needed it. We are very thankful to our financial partners, who make our support ministry to further Bible translation here in PNG possible. We are currently managing at an approximately $1,000 per month deficit; if you are interested in considering partnership with us, please e-mail us for more information or follow the link on the sidebar of our blog. Thank you to our prayer partners as well, who are interceding for us and making a tremendous difference. May God provide for you and your family abundantly this Thanksgiving season. Thank you again for your prayers and your support, and we pray that you and your family will have a blessed Thanksgiving!