God is still in control...

 “Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23

Thank you for your continuing prayers for Papua New Guinea and its government during the pandemic. Even now, the Eastern Highlands Province, where we live, has been classified as a High Risk province. This means greater travel restrictions and the need to cancel courses at our training center that would require translation teams to travel here from other provinces. We try to be realistic about the risks we take and expose ourselves and others to, while still continuing to serve in all of the capacities we are able to: teaching, youth ministry, security, crisis management and Covid response. Kathy is taking on three more science classes for the rest of the semester, as she fills in for another teacher who returned to the USA for a funeral. Scott continues to teach a Consumer Fraud class at the high school, while also managing a balance between security, crisis management and Covid response teams. We still have peace and have seen God’s great faithfulness and compassion, even through these challenging times. He allowed the high school students to have their spiritual retreat right before the restrictions changed, and we saw the Holy Spirit work in mighty ways among our students. Please continue to pray for their spiritual growth. Then, He allowed us to travel just as the Covid restrictions changed, so Scott could facilitate a self defense workshop (pictured, below) for another mission organization in Madang and provide security assessments of their facilities. It was a blessing for Kathy to go with him, since it was during the school break, so she could help out during the workshop. We even got in some ‘salt water therapy’ for her birthday!

Maintaining relationships

Photo Credit: Amy Evers

 Even as our province increases it’s Covid measures, it is good to know that friends can still gather, albeit outside, for food and fellowship. Rainy season has begun with the start of Spring here in the Southern Hemisphere, so we will adapt and continue to be creative as we gather and encourage one another in our ministries here. Whether serving as a teacher, Bible translator, nurse, literacy and Scripture use worker, finance or security officer, each of us has a role in getting God’s word to every language in PNG.

Prayer Points:

 
• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for healing and protection from the current Covid surge here in Ukarumpa and throughout PNG.

• Bible translation: Pray for the translation teams still living in remote villages to remain healthy, faithful, and productive.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for school to be in person for the rest of the semester, and for wisdom for Scott as Crisis Management Team leader.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for peace and wisdom for all of the families living in Ukarumpa as they navigate the current Covid restrictions and mandates.

• God’s provision: We are so thankful for God’s grace and mercy in keeping us healthy so far and even allowing us to travel during the school break. 

Thank you for continuing to hold us up in your prayers, and for your faithful financial support of our Wycliffe ministry in PNG. We could not continue to serve here without you!

And another school year begins...

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17

This verse was deeply impressed on us as a new school year began on July 17, and as we reflected on our current roles here in PNG. Kathy is teaching Grade 9 Biology and Grade 10 Chemistry in the Community, as well as serving as head of the science department. She is also coordinator for external exams, like the SAT, and serving as a community group leader for the Grade 12 girls. In addition to teaching a high school Consumer Fraud class, Scott is also still serving on Ukarumpa’s COVID Response Team and will become head of the Crisis Management Team in September, in addition to all of his duties as Field Security Officer. It is a great comfort to know that the Lord is the one who will establish the work of our hands for us - we are not trying to do any of this on our own strength. It is humbling to be a part of what God is accomplishing here in Bible translation by serving in our support roles, and we couldn’t do it without your prayers and partnership. Ultimately, it is the body of Christ working together worldwide, to bring God’s Word to every language and life!

 Above: Kathy’s Chemistry students working in the lab, learning to separate mixtures.

A break from school…

Kathy had time to go and see friends serving with another mission in Madang for a week during the school break. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit with and encourage them. We also spent quality time with their PNG family, who took us out in their dinghy to show us their island home in Astrolabe Bay. It was a hot, tropical change of pace from the cooler highlands and salt water therapy is always good!

Prayer Points

 • Papua New Guinea (PNG): Praise for more COVID vaccinations available here in Ukarumpa & throughout PNG.

• Bible translation: Praise for the entire Kamano Kafe Bible being recorded this month and for its impact on its hearers.

• Our roles in PNG: Praise for school starting off in-person for the new year! Pray for Scott as he teaches a new Consumer Fraud class at the high school.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for energy, health, and good transitions for all of the families arriving in PNG this month.

• God’s provision: We are so thankful for God’s grace in allowing us to get our second vaccination; please pray we continue to stay healthy so we can faithfully serve here!

Serving in COVID times...

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father though him.” 

                                                -Colossians 3:17

In addition to his other duties, including successfully teaching a high school Self Defense class, Scott is serving on Ukarumpa’s COVID Response Team. This consists of monitoring developments throughout the country, interpreting government measures and providing advice to our leadership, managers and colleagues. Here is how things are looking right now: The PNG government set forth a number of measures designed to mitigate the impacts of COVID. These measures include social distancing, mask wearing and limits on both inter-provincial and international travel. The measures have had some positive results to date. Papua New Guinea was averaging 300+ new cases per day in March and April, but has now decreased to an average of less than 100 new cases per day. Locally, our Clinic staff have reported a drop in cases as well. Current government statistics indicate that PNG has experienced 15,415 reported cases with 162 deaths nationwide. To put things into perspective, PNG has a total population of approximately 9 million people. Vaccines have also arrived in the country and steps are being taken to vaccinate front line health care workers, pilots, teachers, police and other high risk individuals. Please continue to pray for Papua New Guinea and its government during this pandemic.

Above: Scott debriefing students & actors after the scenario based examination for his self-defense class called "Club Mayhem".