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Hi Family & Friends!
It is astonishing that we have been living in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for one year! June 12th marked our one year arrival date in PNG, as well as our five year wedding anniversary! There are many days that we stop and ponder the amazing journey that brought us to serving as missionaries overseas. We are humbled daily by you, our stateside team, who support and encourage us in this God-given endeavor. Thank you!
The last we wrote, we were setting off to attend our 3-month cultural orientation and immersion experience in Madang, PNG. The orientation was very educational, as we learned about the history of PNG, spiritual warfare in-country, cultural integration appropriateness (i.e. dress, conversation, gender roles, activities), life as missionaries, and basic tropical medicine. We were definitely pushed out of our comfort zones as we hiked miles of steep rugged terrain in the hot humidity, swam up to a mile in the ocean weekly, and lived with several Papua New Guinean families. The greatest skill we gained while at the course was an appreciation for the Tok Pisin language, and the ability to speak it conversationally; which has helped us to connect better with our national staff and interact with the community around us.
We returned from our orientation training in time to see the 2016 Ukarumpa International School graduation. The senior class had 20 graduates from 8 different countries. One of our favorite parts of the ceremony is when each graduate shares what their plans are for after graduation. Graduates shared they would be attending college in an array of majors, entering the work force, considering military service, and devoting time to ministry services like Youth With A Mission. What a wonderful display of God’s gifts and talents being spread out over the world to make and impact for His Kingdom! Please join us in praying for their future successes and their transition from life in Ukarumpa, PNG to their next country of impact, as most will be leaving PNG.
The life of a missionary comes with the needed skill of flexibility and a willingness to serve however called. With that being said, our roles are changing for the next 3-6 months. Cassidy has been asked to fill-in as the Interim Principal for Ukarumpa International School Secondary Campus (grades 7-12). After discussion and prayer, Cassidy accepted this new role. He will serve as the Principal for 1-2 school terms, while the permanent principal is out-of-country taking care of family medical issues. During this time, Kari will assist with several administrative roles: External Exams Coordinator (ensuring national exams, like the SAT, are proctored properly), recruitment for staff at Ukarumpa International School, and processing medical paperwork for incoming missionaries via the medical clinic. Once the permanent Principal returns to Ukarumpa, our plans are to return to the Children’s Home department to serve as boarding home parents again. We are excited for the new ways God has asked us to serve our community and support Bible translation!
We would be joking if we said life was simple here, or that we didn’t miss our families or the enjoyment of reliable internet. However, we reflect on the call we answered to support Bible translation; to aid in giving all language communities in Papua New Guinea access to hearing God’s Word and promises in a language they understand best.
PNG Bible Translation Facts
There are 839 alive languages in Papua New Guinea today:
- 234 have a New Testament in their language
- 10 have a completed Bible (Old & New Testament)
- 167 languages currently have staff working on their Bible translation
- 300+ languages still need a Bible translation project to begin
Praise God for the work that is being done to bring the Bible to all languages in Papua New Guinea! Thank you for joining in this life-giving effort with us!
With love and gratefulness,
Kari & Cassidy
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