A Call to Prayer...

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” -James 5:16b

We are writing to ask you to pray. We are scheduled to depart the USA for Papua New Guinea on Sunday, July 19th and we are not alone. Others are scheduled to follow shortly thereafter, serving in staff care, finance, education, health care and leadership, all trying to get back to Ukarumpa in order to resume critical roles in support of Bible translation. Since the beginning of this pandemic, many people have left our center and no one has returned. This means that those who are currently serving in Ukarumpa are persevering, doing their own work and the work of many others. This situation not only impacts operations but morale as well. We know that God is in control, but we also know that prayer makes a huge difference. We are therefore asking each of you to pray for our flights, permissions to transit Australia and the ability to enter Papua New Guinea. We ask that you not only pray for us, but also for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are attempting similar journeys, and for those in Ukarumpa who are stretched thin and still serving faithfully. And please continue to pray for an end to this pandemic, for healing and for peace, and especially for those who don’t know Jesus to seek Him and to find Him. He is the reason we are trying so hard to return to PNG and He will receive all the honor and glory when we finally do, in His perfect timing. We’ll keep you updated and thank you for your prayers!

Proverbs 27:1

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

This proverb challenges us to thank God for opportunities to serve Him each and every day, even while we are working hard toward our return to PNG. Some days that means demolishing drywall or a cabinet, or moving gravel, mulch and soil, or painting and cleaning: all simple tasks that we can do to bless others here in NH during this season of waiting. Keep trusting in God’s plan, done in God’s timing, seeking to use your time and talents for His Glory every day!

Prayer Points...

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for wisdom and peace as leaders make decisions due to the pandemic.

• Bible translation: Praise for the Nukna people dedicating ten books of the New Testament in their language this month.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for teachers to return to PNG in time to start the new school year on August 12 and for the acting Field Security Officer and Crisis Management team, working with Scott, to advise and serve well.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for  the Spiritual Emphasis Week in Ukarumpa on July 12-19 to be fruitful and Spirit-filled.

• God’s provision: Pray that our flights, transfers and quarantine all go smoothly.

Travel Delayed for 13 Days...

Dear Friends,

Our departure to Papua New Guinea has been delayed by 13 days.. We are now scheduled to leave on July 19th and arrive in Port Moresby on July 22nd. After a two week quarantine we will resume our normal duties in Ukarumpa. Please pray for approvals to transit Australia and for uneventful travel back to Papua New Guinea.

In Christ,

Scott and Kathy Watson

Taking the next step in faith…

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” 

-Hebrews 11:1

Our home assignment has much been longer than we originally expected. We returned to the US last July 7th with plans to go back to Papua New Guinea in late March. Those plans were delayed due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, so we endeavored to make the best use of our time. Nonetheless, we continually prayed that God would speed our return. Those prayers have been answered, and we now have tickets to leave Boston on July 6th and return to Papua New Guinea on July 9th. Once in country, we will be in quarantine for 2 weeks before resuming our roles. We have been amazed as we have thought back over the last year and all that we’ve seen God do: over the course of this home assignment, we have traveled over 20,000 miles from Maine to Florida and as far west as Missouri. We visited family, friends and churches, attended additional training and became reconnected with the ministries of our home church in Dover, NH. In all, we have been to 17 states, driven 4 vehicles and slept in 25 beds. God has more than provided for our needs through His people, and we are deeply grateful. We are also thankful for your prayers and financial partnership with our Wycliffe ministry and we look forward to our return to service in Papua New Guinea. Traveling is still quite challenging and uncertain during these times, though. Would you please pray for our safe return to PNG?

Praying for our world…

This verse in Micah 6:8 has been on our hearts and minds a lot lately, especially as we read the news. It has become our prayer for the Church, our brothers and sisters in Christ here and around the world, that we would all seek to live out the truth in this verse: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” May we each strive to obediently exemplify justice, mercy, humility and peace in our spheres of influence, for God’s glory.

Prayer Points...

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for continued protection for PNG from COVID-19.

• Bible translation: Praise for translation work that continues to progress during isolation.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for wisdom for Scott as he continues to video conference with the acting Field Security Officer and Crisis Management team. Pray for enough teachers to return to PNG in time to start the new school year in August.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for wisdom and safety for those families traveling to and from Ukarumpa this month.

• God’s provision: Praise God for our plane tickets and pray that our flights, transfers and quarantine all go smoothly.