Managing Risk in the Land of the Unexpected

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” 

                                                                               -Psalm 20:7

Scott serves in many roles here in Ukarumpa. His primary job is Field Security Officer but he also serves as Crisis Management Team Leader, Covid Response Team Member, Critical Incident Debriefer and an occasional teacher at Ukarumpa International School. As you might imagine, no two days are exactly alike. On any given day, Scott may meet with village leaders, the police, other missionaries, business people or local government officials. He might be investigating a security incident, organizing an event, posting travel advisories, reviewing the government’s latest pandemic measures, providing training to new people, conducting a security assessment or facilitating training or a crisis management meeting. This means that Scott is on call 24/7/365. Thankfully, he has been blessed with a solid team. Our Center Security Manager, along with three contracted Gurkhas, run the day-to-day security operations of the Ukarumpa center. On the Crisis Management side, Scott is blessed to have a diverse team composed of other missionaries and Papua New Guinean staff who work in Translation, Medical Services, Aviation, Staff Care and Communications. The days go by quickly in Ukarumpa as projects and emergencies flow into one another, but God is gracious and gives Scott and his teams the strength and wisdom to manage risk in the land of the unexpected. Sometimes, this even leaves him with the time and energy to offer a women’s self defense class for the community!

Happy Birthday to Scott!

We are always grateful for the ability God has given to us to serve here in Papua New Guinea, even though it comes with its challenges. But we recognize that it also comes with many great blessings as well. We actually get to spend more time together here than we ever did when we lived and worked in the USA. Living and working in such a small community can also be a challenge, but it means there is no long commute at the end of the day. After a 15 minute walk or 3 minute drive, Scott is home from work and Kathy gets to see his smiling face as he walks to their home. There may not be anywhere to go out to eat, but with fresh market produce and some time, a home cooked meal is ready for supper. Celebrating annual events like birthdays may mean baking from scratch, but the important thing is being able to celebrate together. So, happy birthday, Scott! Cheers for 54 years of life, for our 30 years of marriage, and for choosing to obediently say yes when God called you to PNG- what an amazing adventure!

Prayer Points:

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for continued protection as the Covid Omicron variant surges.

 • Bible translation: Praise for audio recordings of the Bible being widely used in languages where translations are completed. 

 • Our roles in PNG: Praise that school has remained in-person so far, even with many students out sick with Covid. Pray for wisdom for Scott as he serves in his roles.

 • PNG missionaries: Pray for peace and a speedy recovery for all of the families living in Ukarumpa who have been affected by the Covid Omicron variant.

 • God’s provision: We are still so thankful for God’s grace and mercy in keeping us healthy, providing for our needs and allowing us to continue to serve each day in faith. 

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!

Where does your hope come from?

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13 

We are so grateful for each one of you, for being a vital part of what God is doing here in PNG. Your prayers continue to sustain and protect us, and we are privileged to have you interceding on our behalf. Our prayer for each of you is that you continue to remember where your hope comes from, and to keep your eyes “fixed on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) Admittedly, there are times we have been distracted by the surrounding circumstances - sickness, death, crime, constant change and transition - and hopelessness crept in. But then, again and again, we have thankfully been reminded of all that God continues to do here in PNG - allowing school at UIS to remain in person for the last year, allowing teams to continue Bible translation in villages and language areas throughout the country, allowing departments from Ukarumpa to partner in practical ways with local hospitals, from delivering vaccines to installing solar power systems. We can honestly say we have been filled with His joy and peace as we have kept our eyes fixed on Him and trusted in Him. And we will strive to continue to do so, regardless of what the future may bring. In the face of the coming Omicron variant of Covid, we will continue to faithfully serve, teach, mentor, and overflow with hope to those around us who desperately need it. On a recent stormy day, we stopped to notice a lovely hibiscus flower. The gloom and the rain did not keep it from blooming, right where it was planted, and its bright beauty shone all the more against the drab gray sky behind it. Please continue to pray for us, that we will be like that flower and continue to bloom right where God has planted us. And we will pray the same for you, that He will allow you to bloom as well, and overflow with hope to those in your sphere of influence. May the LORD continue to bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you peace.

Pray for our Senior class

We praise God that the Ukarumpa International School (UIS) senior class was able to go on their senior retreat to Madang at the end of last semester. It was a privilege to accompany them and make more memories with them. Please pray for wisdom for them as they complete their final semester of high school and seek God’s leading for which college or university they should attend. Also pray for upcoming transitions and difficult farewells as they leave PNG, which has been home for many of them since elementary school.

Prayer Points:

• Papua New Guinea (PNG): Pray for protection as the Covid Omicron variant begins to surge.

• Bible translation: Pray for the Culture meets Scripture team’s workshop in the Amele language area to be successful and impactful.

• Our roles in PNG: Pray for school to remain in person for the rest of the semester. Pray for wisdom for Scott as he serves on the Crisis Management Team and Covid Response Team.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for peace and health for all of the families living in Ukarumpa as they anticipate the coming Covid Omicron variant.

• God’s provision: We are so thankful for God’s grace and mercy in keeping us healthy so far and even allowing us to obtain our Covid booster shot.

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!

Merry Christmas 2021!!

Merry Christmas from Scott & Kathy             🎄

Christmas, past and present!  It seems like yesterday that we celebrated Christmas back in snowy NH in 2019, and now we are celebrating our second Christmas back here in PNG.  We are thankful for your faithful prayers and partnership with our Wycliffe ministry. And we are thankful for this season to remember the birth of Jesus Christ- we serve a God who does not change.  And as you can see from the pictures above, apparently we don't change much, either... :-)

Prayer Points:  Papua New Guinea: Pray for God’s grace and wisdom for all those in government this year and for a peaceful 2022. Bible translation: Pray for transformation in the language groups that will be receiving the Bible in their heart languages in 2022. Our roles in PNG: Pray for wisdom as Scott serves as Field Security Officer and as Kathy teaches and mentors her students.  God's provision: Praise for how God has provided for our health and the health of others in Ukarumpa and how He is providing for our daily needs through His people. We pray for His abundant blessing on our partners & their families throughout 2022. Stay in touch with us while we are in PNG! Mail:       P.O. Box 1 (172)        Ukarumpa        EHP 444        Papua New Guinea Skype:        sawatson91                 Phone:    675-7217-0330        Ext. 4692 On-line:  www.wycliffe.org/partner/Scott-KathyWatson