Celebrating our first year in Papua New Guinea

It is almost unbelievable to us that we have served in PNG for over a year now. That landmark did not come without 12 months of joys, trials, laughter, and tears, but isn’t that always true when we look back on another year of life? We have learned so much about the culture of PNG; immersing ourselves first academically, but then heart and soul as we have gotten to know and love the people here. I have poured myself into my students and seen how God is growing and shaping them into the people He desires them to become. 

My junior high school students brainstormed and pondered how a box of toothpicks, a roll of tape and some cardboard could possibly become a model earthquake- resistant house, and they saw the plans they sketched on paper come to fruition in 3-D before their eyes. So, too, have I seen God working in and molding them in the last 8 months.  

Make no mistake, God has been working in and shaping me as well. It was not my plan to have two minor surgeries to remove a carcinoma from my face, but God is faithful and I am thankfully now skin cancer free. Several other viruses and minor injuries aside, I have been blessed this year beyond description and thank God for allowing me to serve these special kids at UISSC. He has drawn me closer to himself and to Scott this past year in more ways than I could’ve dreamed, using circumstances I never would’ve imagined. 

How has God been working in your life this past year, and have you thanked Him for the good as well as the difficult lessons you have learned? -Kathy

Providence, Prayers and Piracy

Popular media productions often depict pirates as swashbuckling heroes of the past while ignoring their historical record of indiscriminate violence. The fact was, and is, that perpetrators of piracy are neither romantic adventurers nor a harkening back to bygone eras. Piracy is alive and well in 2015 and it disproportionally occurs in the developing world, where a combination of economic desperation and resource-strapped governments create vulnerabilities to seagoing commerce and travelers alike. 

On the evening of February 3rd, 2015, I was notified that an SIL vessel, the Kwadima II, which had been carrying Papua New Guinean Bible Translators, had been overtaken in open water and boarded by pirates in off the coast of Alotau. 

Soon afterward, I found myself on an SIL aircraft heading to Alotau as a part of team sent to investigate and debrief the incident.  Over the next few days I toured the vessel, spoke to all who had been involved in the incident and worked with local authorities. My team- mates assessed and repaired damage done to the vessel and conducted critical incident stress debriefings for all involved.  

Those of you who know me well know that I'm not a particularly emotional person. Nonetheless, this event impacted me and showed me, once again, the great need the world has for Christ. 

Please remember the passengers and crew of the Kwadima II in your prayers. Please also remember the authorities who are charged with keeping order and, yes, please also remember the pirates and pray that they would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

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!