Seeing God’s Hand at Work in 2017

We have been amazed, again and again, as we have witnessed God’s faithfulness, love and grace poured out on and through His people this past year. There certainly have been challenges, but we have experienced His peace and joy in the midst of them. Scott had spent most of 2017 serving in his 3rd year as Security Operations Manager, when he was given an opportunity to step into a new role. He will be temporarily filling the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) position until April, and is currently learning the details of this critical function. He will be responsible for overseeing the human resources needs of 600 expatriate missionaries and 200 Papua New Guinean paid staff, including working as part of a team on issues from medical evacuations to child safety concerns. Please pray for him as he faces a steep learning curve and is relying of God for strength and wisdom to learn quickly and well while the current CHRO is here mentoring him. 

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Top: Attending a traditional “mumu” feast in a village with our friends was a highlight this fall. Sharing a meal and laughing with their children transcends cultural barriers and is a wonderful way to deepen relationships here in the valley.  

Above: Scott and Kathy also enjoyed the Goroka Cultural show in September and met some wonderful people there! 

The Joy of Serving

It is often said, “tis is better to give than receive” and we have certainly seen the truth of that in our experiences here, especially as we have had opportunities to serve and pray in the local hospital, and in our roles working with expatriates and Papua New Guineans in Ukarumpa. And we love the roles we have been called to, investing in the lives of people from many nations and supporting the work of Bible translation. However, we are also so very grateful for what we have received, both through our partners and through God’s grace. We could not be serving here without our prayer and financial partners who faithfully and sacrificially contribute to our Wycliffe ministry. And currently we have a new opportunity: to purchase a small house here in Ukarumpa. It would allow us to settle in one place and not move every 3-6 months, and to better offer hospitality to others. Please pray with us, that the LORD would provide financially for this home and for all the logistics involved. We would own the structure, not the land, and would be helping the Bible translation team who has owned it since 1972 but are returning home due to health issues. It is another affirmation to us that we have been called to serve here in PNG for this time, for as long as God allows.

The greatest gift we have ever received is the gift of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our salvation and reconciliation to God. There is no act of service that we could ever do to earn it, repay it, or try to match it. Christ’s gift is a gift of grace, for the forgiveness of our sins, undeserved and freely given out of love and obedience to his Father in Heaven and the Father’s love for us. This Christmas, take time to reflect and let the joy of this gift bring you deep peace and refreshment, even in the midst of a busy and often hectic season. And if you have never known the joy of this gift, please pray to Jesus and ask for it. We promise it will be the best present you have ever received!

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2: 4-10 (NIV) 

Prayer Points & Prayers Answered in 2017

It has been a blessing to see God answer prayer as we have served in our expanded support roles. Kathy continues teaching middle and high school classes and serving as Science department head. Scott taught a high school self defense class while transitioning from Security Operations Manager to Chief Human Resources Officer. The fruit of our support work is seeing Bibles, like the Kasua New Testament, completed and dedicated this year. Thank you for your prayers!

Above: We moved into a new permanent house for us on center last week

A Temporary Assignment for Scott

Scott has been asked to serve as acting Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for our mission over the next several months. Scott’s assistant, Ranken Ose, will assume day to day security responsibilities during this time. Please pray for the transition and the new challenges that lie ahead.

Above: Scott and Ranken Ose. Scott is privileged to disciple and train a Papua New Guinean to temporarily serve in his role as Security Operations Manager. Photo credit: Stephanie Tobiana

Visiting the Sick at Kaintantu Hospital...

We recently had the opportunity to go with friends from the Tok Pisin church to pray with the sick at a local hospital, and to meet their physical needs with some clean water, banana bread and baby clothes. Kathy spent her time praying with the new and expecting mothers in the maternity ward, sharing cups of cold water and food. Scott met a local pastor who had lost his eye after being attacked with an axe and shot with both a gun and arrow while trying to keep the peace in his village. The pastor had come to Christ years before while in prison through a prison ministry. One of the men with us had been instrumental in sharing the Gospel with him back then and was able to pray now for his healing. In Matthew 24:36,40, Jesus says, “I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” What a privilege! 

Above: Kathy at the Kainantu Hospital, after praying with the woman beside her who had lost her hearing in one ear. Please pray for her to regain her hearing, and for her baby, Michelle, (on the bed) to stay healthy and strong. And for her mother, who was able to come and help care for them both. 

November Prayer Points...

• Papua New Guinea: Pray for peace in the Aiyura Valley and throughout PNG.

• Bible translation: Praise for the Youth With A Mission “Jesus Video” workshop that was completed last week.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for the busy second half of Term 2 of school and praise for our successful Carnival fundraiser. Pray for wisdom as Scott begins his new temporary CHRO role.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for the Logans, who dedicated the Kasua New Testament this month, and are completing 29 years of service in PNG.

• God’s provision: Praise for how God is providing for our needs through his people- will you consider partnering with our Wycliffe ministry?

Every language, receiving God’s Word...

This was our prayer, as we walked through the Goroka cultural show on Independence Day weekend: that every language would receive God’s Word. It never strikes us more completely than when we see so many language groups together in one place, all in traditional costumes, singing in their heart languages, in a chaotic and visually stunning array. We talked with many of the performers, and when they posed with us for a photo, we told them their picture would remind us to pray for them. It is the individuals we meet who inspire us to serve here, knowing their eternal destiny is at stake. This is why we are excited for the upcoming Bible dedications; knowing faces and names of people in these language groups makes it real to us. And why we were so glad to see many people coming to the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) booth to receive audio-Bibles in already published languages, downloaded to their smart phones. Technology is making it easier to get the Word out, but ultimately it is still the Holy Spirit who is changing and transforming lives.

Above: Kathy and Scott, making new friends at the Goroka show.