An exciting year ahead...

We are grateful to be starting 2018 in our own home here in Ukarumpa; thank you for all of your prayers for that transition. It has been exciting to see God at work in so many lives, bringing friends back to Ukarumpa after furloughs, and hearing more about upcoming Bible dedications that will take place this year. In church this morning, two New Testaments (NT), just arrived in Ukarumpa from the printers, were prayed over and will be dedicated in their language communities in 2018. The Binimarian NT is a second edition, and will include 5 books of the Old Testament. The Baruga NT was begun in 1988 by Jim and Cindy Farr, after having completed the Karafe NT. Jim persevered in the work after Cindy’s death, and God eventually brought him and Joan, a single translator, together in marriage. They have completed this work of bringing the transforming Word of Truth to the Baruga people. Our friends Jim and Joan exemplify trust, love, endurance and faith and they have

been a profound encouragement to us these last 4 years. Please join us in praying for all of the details that still need to be arranged before they celebrate the Bible dedication in June, and for spiritual protection for them and the Baruga people. Also pray that we would be able to attend the dedication and celebrate with them the joy of seeing decades of labor come to fruition as the Baruga receive the Word of God in their heart language. What a blessing to be a partner in this legacy!

Autumn pumpkins?

Even after four years here in PNG, we are still acclimating to living in the Southern Hemisphere. Yes, we are transitioning from summer into autumn here, and have grown some beautiful pumpkins in the garden. They come in all shapes and sizes, and Kathy enjoys making roasted pumpkin soup and bread. Scott hopes at least some of it ends up as pie...

Prayer Points

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

• Bible translation: Pray for the participants in the Tok Pisin workshop to teach adult literacy at the Ukarumpa Training Center until February 8th.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for the new school semester and praise for Scott teaching Self Defense again. Pray for wisdom as Scott continues as Chief Human Resources Officer.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for Carl & Pat Whitehead’s Menya NT dedication in Morobe on February 23rd

• God’s provision: Pray for our ability to attend the Baruga dedication in June - will you consider partnering on-line with our Wycliffe ministry?

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