Kurt, Johanna, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias

Our family in Papua New Guinea | 2012

Ukarumpa and Aiyura Valley

Ukarumpa is SIL's center of opperations in Papua New Guinea and where we live and work.

Miniafia New Testaments from the dedication in 2010

"God is a Miniafia Man," the loincloth-clad speaker exulted! "Before He was English, and American, and Australian. But today He has become Miniafia!"

Doini Island

Photo by Tim McIntosh (SIL PNG's boat manager in 2008) | Many of the 100's of islands in PNG can only be reached by boat.

Where do you play when you live on an island?

Children from Nubwageta village playing near the shore.

Miniafia New Testament Dedication

New Testament dedications in PNG usually include elaborate processions to welcome the Bibles.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Prayer Request Update

Dear Friends and Family,

This past week my knee has felt quite a bit better each day even to the point where I was able to walk on it with a slight limp starting on Sunday. We went in to see the doctor here in Ukarumpa again today (Monday) and were very optimistic about not having to have surgery. However, the doctor’s first impression was that the knee was still quite loose and he was thinking that I would still have to go to Australia. He conferred with an Orthopedic surgeon in Cairns, Australia who said that there is a 30% chance that the ligament will heal on its own and that we should try waiting several weeks to see how the knee progresses. In the meantime I will go in for weekly checkups and also meet with a physical therapist to try and strengthen the knee. Please continue to pray that God will heal my knee.

Please also pray for us tomorrow as we are moving houses. I can’t really help too much but we are blessed with lots of friends here in Ukarumpa that have offered to help out.

Blessings, Kurt

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Prayer Request

Dear Friends and Family,

I just wanted to let you know about something that happened over the weekend so that you can be praying for us. I was playing Frisbee on Sunday afternoon and twisted my knee. At first I thought it was just a sprain but when I tried to walk it off my knee would not hold weight any longer. I saw a doctor at the clinic here in Ukarumpa yesterday and he thinks it is most likely a torn ligament. I need to keep off of it for a week and check back with the doctor next Monday. He will decide then if the knee needs to be operated on. That would mean going all the way to Australia for surgery. Please pray that God would heal my knee without the need for surgery. Also, pray for Johanna as she has to take care of all of us. It is tiring for her when she has to get up at night to feed Luke and then get up early in the morning to help Kassia when she wakes up (I used to be the one helping Kassia). Finally, we really want to glorify God in all this, so please pray for good attitudes, patience and endurance.

Blessings, Kurt

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

-- June 2008 Update --

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your faithful prayers and your financial support that allow us to continue serving in Papua New Guinea. We are grateful to have you in our partnership team and know that we could not be here without your part in our ministry.

We are doing well.  Life has been very busy here in Ukarumpa since we got back from Australia three months ago. Kurt continues to enjoy his work at the Communications and Technical Services Department working at the Help Desk alongside a Papua New Guinean and a Korean man. We thank God for the work he supplies for Kurt.

IMG_0282 IMG_0299

(Kassia and Kurt reading; Kassia and Luke getting ready to go to bed)

Kassia and Luke continue to grow and learn many things. Kassia now recognizes the letters K (for Kassia of course!), O, and L (for Luke).  Luke is four months old now! I (Johanna) took him to the clinic last week for his check up and the doctor said he is doing great.  She also said he is a healthy little  guy! He gives us huge smiles and can laugh now too. He is also sleeping better so thanks for your prayers in that regard.

For two mornings this week, I am going to be involved in strategy meetings here in Ukarumpa. In these meetings I will join several other SIL members in order to discuss what needs to be in place in SIL-PNG (Papua New Guinea) in the next 5 to 10 years and how we will be engaged in Bible translation.  Kurt will attend the same meetings next week.

IMG_0190 IMG_0184

(Little Luke is getting bigger)

In about three weeks we will be moving. We are living in an apartment right now, but we will be moving to a house that we will be renting for about one and a half years. We are excited about being in a house, though we know yet another move will be stressful.

At the end of this month (after we move), Kurt will be going to a village with some of our friends who are Bible translators with the Sam people in the Madang province. They are building a house in the village where they work and Kurt has offered to help them build it.  He is very excited about the trip and will be away for about  one week.

Thanks again for lifting us up to the Lord in prayer and supporting our work here in Papua New Guinea.

IMG_0249 

(Kassia at the Ukarumpa International School Sports Day held this May)

In His hands,

Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, and Luke too!)

Praise:

• For good health in the last few months.

• For Kurt’s work at the Communication and Technical Services Department.

• For Luke who is growing steadily!

• For the house we will be moving into.

Pray:

• For all of us to continue to have good health.

• For us to have wisdom as we attend the strategy meetings this month.

• For a smooth transition and move into the house.

• For Kurt as he goes to help our friends build their village house. For physical, mental, and spiritual protection for him during the time he will be gone.