- We are back in Australia, following a strong recommendation from Wycliffe Australia to return amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
- We will be self-isolating in Mount Barker, WA for 14 days.
- Join us in prayer for the community and land we have left behind, for Australia, and for the world at large as we battle this virus. Pray we will see and trust God at work in our midst.
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- Praise God that we were able to travel safely back to Australia as border restrictions tightened around us.
- Pray as we process this rapid change, having farewelled friends, the work, and our home.
- Across PNG and the world, Bible translation work has been affected by COVID-19. It seems like a huge barrier to us. Yet we trust in a God who can do the impossible and is able to work even this into his good purposes. Pray for all to see their need for Jesus more and more in this time, and to be able to hear the good news of the gospel in a way they understand.
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'No, the Lord ’s delight is in those who fear him,
those who put their hope in his unfailing love.'
Psalms 147:11
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Above: Arriving in Brisbane compared to leaving Brisbane just 4 months earlier
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We were disconnected from the world at large and immersed in village living in the middle of Papua New Guinea, while unbeknownst to us the coronavirus was whipping the world into a frenzy. On Wednesday 18 March, a message got through to us advising that Wycliffe Australia was strongly recommending all overseas workers return as soon as possible, echoing advice given by the Australian government. We were asked to decide by Friday if we would attempt to travel back.
As you might imagine this came as a huge shock, and one that we were unable to process in the foreign landscape we found ourselves in. All of our energy was going into just living, and understanding the people around us. We also had very limited mobile internet reception and couldn't access the information we needed to understand the context of this message.
With some sadness we asked to be removed from village living to return to Ukarumpa in order to make our decision. Our village wasfemili (host or watch family) was very sad to see us leave halfway through our expected stay, and made us a large farewell meal and showered us with gifts and tears as we parted.
Within 24 hours of returning to Ukarumpa it seemed clear that we should be going, although our hearts longed to stay. One of the factors we considered was that our roles had not yet begun as we were still undergoing our orientation. Moreover, Robert was unlikely to be able to fly or do much within aviation if we stayed, for various reasons. So after much prayer and advice from colleagues, friends and family, we began to pack up and book flights.
The rest of our orientation group were also brought back to Ukarumpa a few days later. Similarly all the Bible translation teams out in villages were flown back to the centre.
On the day we left Ukarumpa, the entire centre went into voluntary self-isolation with all departments closing, in compliance with the Prime Minister's desires to protect the people of PNG from the virus. We arrived back in Brisbane on Monday after an interesting 24 hours of last minute changes and reshuffling of our plans. We are now in the south of Western Australia, doing the obligatory 14 day self-isolation.
Throughout the trip home we were very aware of God's help, provision and comfort. For example, when SIL-PNG requested all staff to immediately self-isolate on Monday, the centre managers of the missionary guesthouse took it on themselves to drive us to Port Moresby airport and help us find a flight out that day. We want to thank those of you who were praying for us throughout this time.
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Below: Our village wasfemili, and leaving PNG behind in the clouds
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Through the Clouds
The flight out of Ukarumpa that day was slightly cloudy. I, Loralie, do not love flying through cloud. Surrounded by nothing but white and feeling the extra bumps of turbulence, you must trust completely in the plane's instruments and the pilot's experience. It reminded me of how much more we are to trust God himself in the middle of uncertain times like these. When we can't see through the clouds and are not even sure of the direction of travel, God is in control and has a plan and purpose. He sees what lies ahead and is not surprised by the turn of events. He doesn't need experience to control our 'plane', for he is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent. It is a great comfort to place our worries, fears and uncertainties at his feet and know his love and presence.
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Like you, we have many questions about the future. Feel free to ask us questions you might have, but we may not yet be able to answer them!
As we find ourselves in a place we did not expect we are wondering how God will use us to love and serve here.
'The between-home status that we often experience could be a gift. In that it causes us to face our homelessness as Christians. We're not home yet, none of us ever will be on this earth. But we are on the way home.
But in the meantime, we stop in places and make them home for a while. The places, people, and roles in those times are given to us as gifts. "We grow to love and understand them. . . But during the whole time, wherever we are there's a small part of us that is still the alien and the stranger, that is still longing for something more deeply satisfying.' ~ Naomi Reed.
If you are on Facebook and are not on our private group, let us know so we can add you. We are finding it easier to keep this more up-to-date by the minute.
We will send out a newsletter about our village living experience soon.
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To Contact Us:
Email: robert-loralie_handasyde@wycliffe.org.au
Phone: Robert 0434440704 Loralie 0478478818
Our temporary postal address is: 275 Boyup Rd, Mount Barker WA 6324
If you’d like to know anything about our journey, send us an email!
We love to hear stories of your lives too, and are encouraged, challenged and changed by hearing them. Please never underestimate how much we value you all!
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Please do not redistribute this newsletter without permission
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