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.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} November 2014 | "Home Again!"

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” – Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)

Dear Loved Ones,

Thank you for your partnership with our ministry and family here in Papua New Guinea (PNG). We are grateful for your faithful prayers, encouragement and financial support!

We have been quite busy the last two months. In September, Kurt traveled to Madang (a coastal town in PNG) where he worked at the SIL Regional Center. At the center, Bible Translators from the Madang Region are able to go and get resources without having to travel to Ukarumpa, which is located in the Highlands. While there, Kurt installed both wired and wireless networking equipment along with network attached storage for reliable data backup and easier access to data. He was also able to renew relationships that SIL-PNG have with Divine Word University IT staff.

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(from top: Outside the Madang Regional Center Office; networking equipment installed in the office)

On October 6th, we received word that my (Johanna’s) dad (who lives in Colombia) had two massive heart attacks. My mom and sisters called and asked me to come to Colombia as soon as possible as they knew my dad (who is 75 years old) was going to have to have open heart surgery. I arrived in Colombia on October 11th and it was a blessing to be able to visit my father at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the hospital.  After performing a cardiac catheterization the doctors determined that my dad had 3 arteries blocked and would need to have triple bypass surgery. His surgery took place on October 24th and he was in the operating room for about 6 hours. Thankfully, he was released from the hospital on October 29th and has been home since. THANK YOU for all your faithful prayers during this difficult time for our family! We praise God that my dad’s surgery was successful and that he is now on the road to recovery.

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(from top: Johanna with her dad at the hospital; Johanna’s family at home after the surgery)

After being gone from Kurt and the kids for 4 weeks, I returned to PNG last Friday November 7th. Seeing Kurt and the kids made for a very sweet reunion! Thank you for praying for them while I was gone and for praying for me as I traveled to Colombia and back to Ukarumpa. God carried me through it all and I am happy to be back home.

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(Matthias and Lukas welcoming Mommy home!)

Blessings,

Johanna (and for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas, and Matthias!)

Thursday, October 09, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} October 2014 | "Please pray: Heart Attack!"

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 (NIV)

Dear Loved Ones,

It is with very sad hearts that we write to you tonight. By the time you read this or shortly after, Johanna will be on her way back to Colombia to be with her family. On Monday morning (Colombia time) Johanna’s father, Miguel, dropped her mom off at a hair salon and started to feel chest pains so decided to drive himself to the nearest hospital. He was immediately admitted and has been in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) since. He has been very tired and sedated as the doctors said that he not only suffered one massive heart attack but two! They were quite amazed that he survived. The doctors performed a cardiac catheterization and determined that there are three blocked arteries and they will most likely need to perform open heart surgery. His body and heart are still very weak so the doctors and Johanna’s family have asked her to come “home.”

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(Johanna’s father, Miguel, with Matthias his youngest grandson – Jan 2014)

Please pray with us:

  • for Johanna’s travels; it will take her nearly 48 hours to arrive in Bogota after she leaves Ukarumpa.
  • for wisdom for the doctors to know the best way to proceed and success in any procedure, if that is God’s will.
  • that God will be glorified!
  • for Johanna’s plans to return to us here in Papua New Guinea; we haven’t even thought that far ahead!

Praise God with us:

  • for the miracle of Johanna’s dad being able to get himself to the hospital.
  • that we were able to secure travel for Johanna all the way back to Colombia just a day in advance.
  • that Johanna’s dad has regained some of his strength.

Trusting in Christ,

Kurt (for Johanna, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias)

Sunday, August 03, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} August 2014 | "We're home!"

For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen. – Romans 11:36 (NLT)

Dear Loved Ones,

Thank you for praying for us last month as we traveled back to Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is nice to be back and we thank God for an uneventful trip and for a smooth transition back into life here as a family. We have been here over 3 weeks now!

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Kurt has returned to his job at the Communication and Technical Services Department as the manager for our information and communication technology services here in Ukarumpa. He has been very busy and is excited about the challenges he has at work. Kassia and Lukas started 4th and 1st grade at the end of July and are loving being back at Ukarumpa International School. We are very grateful for the teachers our children have here!

I (Johanna) have been unpacking and organizing our house and also trying to get back to cooking from scratch such as making granola, yogurt, bread, cake, etc. Matthias (who turns 4 on Friday) is still at home with me and I love having his company! He likes to go outside to get spiders, worms, and other insects; and he also picks and collects anything he can find in the bushes.

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We are very grateful to our Lord for the wonderful furlough we had. The last 8 months in Colombia and the US flew by, but as we look at pictures from that time; we realize what special memories we made with friends and family. God is good all the time! We count it a privilege to be back working in PNG and we know YOU (our partners) are a huge part of us being here. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making it possible for us to serve here so that the Bibleless people in PNG can have the Word of God in their heart language!

In Christ,

Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias)

Thursday, July 03, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} July 2014 | "And we're off!"

“Fear not, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

Dear Friends and Family,

Please pray for us as we travel (see requests below)! Next Monday we will again be flying to the other side of the world. Can you believe it?

Our itinerary will take us (times are local-see http://timezonecheck.com/ for yours):

  • from Dallas, USA to Brisbane, Australia for 2 nights – 7 July
  • and finally to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and on up to Ukarumpa – 11 July

(Our first flight from Dallas to Brisbane will take about 16 hours)

We thank God for:

  • the full furlough we have had
  • the time with family and friends
  • those that have increased their support and those that have joined our partnership team

We praise God:

  • that we are at 100% of the financial support quota required by Wycliffe
  • for a house and car we could use while in the US
  • for spiritual refreshment while at our home church here in Dallas and at a Women’s retreat

Please pray with us:

  • for protection from the darts of the enemy against our family. Satan always attacks when we are in transition!
  • that we would praise God and bring him glory in everything we do
  • for fun times with friends and family on the last few days here
  • for rest for our family as we adjust to a new time
  • for endurance as we pack
  • for safe, uneventful travels

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Thank you for partnering with us!

Blessings,
Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias too!)

Sunday, June 08, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} June 2014 | "One Month!"

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV)

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for so faithfully lifting us up in prayer to our Heavenly Father. Thanks also for your generosity and encouragement! The Lord has been faithful as always and we are now only lacking $38.00 of the monthly budget that we will need before we return to Papua New Guinea (PNG). Now we are less than a month away from leaving the United States and going back to PNG! Lord willing, our departure is set for July 7th.

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We need to increase our support by:

     $38 per month

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On June 6th, Kassia finished 3rd grade and Lukas finished Kindergarten. They are very excited about going back to their school in Ukarumpa! We appreciate your prayers in the next several weeks as we say goodbye to family and friends.

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Blessings,

Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias too!)

Thursday, May 15, 2014

What’s it like to be a missionary teacher?

Bob Noble teaches computing and math to students at a mission school in Papua New Guinea. In some ways, it’s just the same as teaching in the UK: there is still a curriculum and the marking still tends to pile up! But a field trip he took his students on recently shows just how different it can be…

It was no trip to the local museum. Bob and 10 of his students, along with three other adults, travelled to Sikor village, to meet local school pupils and get a glimpse of the local Bible translation project. Travel with the class through the photos:

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The journey through the mountains took them past beautiful scenery and required four-by-fours and a whole day’s travel.

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The journey wasn’t quite done when the driving finished: reaching the ladies’ host’s home involved crossing a stream using a log bridge.

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A big part of the trip was spending time with other pupils, those at the local elementary, primary and secondary schools. Bob’s students sang songs, performed dramas and presented the gospel … with a football!

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The students shared skills, Bob’s class challenging their new friends to games of basketball (six of the students are on the undefeated A team at school!). In turn, they were shown the best way to climb a palm for coconuts and how to break one open to get the water.

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All in all, not your average day in the classroom!

Teachers and school administrators are needed to support Bible translation and development all over the world. If you’ve got teaching talents, have a look at the vacancies that we are looking to fill and get in touch to find out more.

This story can also be found on http://wycliffe.org.uk/ - May 7th, 2014 by Hannah

Monday, May 12, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} May 2014 | "Almost there!"

Certainly the Lord watches the whole earth carefully and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NET)

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Dear Loved Ones,

We rejoice because the Lord has been faithful as always and we are now only lacking $78.00 of the monthly budget that we will need before we return to Papua New Guinea (PNG). We have bought tickets to go back and will, Lord willing, be departing Dallas on Monday, July 7th.

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We need to increase our support by:

     $78 per month

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We are grateful to God that we have been able to see and visit many of YOU during this home assignment in the United States! Thank you for praying for us last month as we packed the things we will need for the next 4 years in PNG. Our belongings are now in North Carolina and should be on their way to PNG soon.

Thanks again for partnering with us to see Papua New Guinea transformed by God’s Word!

Blessings,

Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias too!)

Monday, April 07, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} April 2014 | "PNG Homebound"

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. – Psalm 23:1 (NLT)

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your love and care for our family! Every month we are humbled by your generosity, encouragement, and prayers.

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(Enjoying some time in the park with our nieces and nephew)

Praise God that our visas to return to Papua New Guinea (PNG) arrived in the mail last Friday! We are also rejoicing in the fact that we have gained new partners in ministry and some of our continuing partners have increased their financial support. Today we bought our tickets to return to PNG in July! Please pray for us as we are sorting and packing the things that we will need to ship to PNG for our next 4 year term in the field. Our belongings will be going to North Carolina at the end of April and from where they will be shipped to PNG in May!

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We need to increase our support by:

     $250 per month

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Blessings,

Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias too!)

Thursday, March 20, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} March 2014 | "New Partners"

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5b (NLT)

Dear Loved Ones,

Thank YOU for continuing to so faithfully pray and encourage our family while we are on home assignment here in the United States!

We had the privilege of speaking at two of our main partnering churches this month. At the beginning of March we visited the Chicago area where we shared at Western Springs Baptist Church. What a joy it was to be there! Last weekend we spoke at Faith Bible Church (our home church). At both places we were able to thank many of you for the very vital part you have in our ministry. We could not do what we are doing if it wasn’t for YOU!

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Lord willing, we plan to return to our ministry in Papua New Guinea in July 2014. We praise God that our new passports were granted and now are on their way to the Papua New Guinean Embassy in Washington so that we can apply for our new visas.  We are also thankful to the Lord that our monthly financial support has increased! Please pray that our visas will be granted and returned to us in a timely manner.

  • Lord willing, we plan to return to our ministry in PNG in July 2014. However, for that to happen, we must have 100% of the monthly financial support that Wycliffe requires before we will be released to return. Would you or someone you know like to partner with us? If so, click here. We will need $302 more per month prior to our return. Please pray with us now that God will raise up new support for our ministry so that we can return on time. We know He is able!
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We need to increase our support by:

     $302 per month

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Blessings,
Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias too!)

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Why Bible Translation

This short, to the point, 2 minute video is a great explanation of why we are involved in Bible Translation. Check it out! - Kurt



Wednesday, February 19, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} February 2014 | "Praise and Prayer"

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Dear Family and Friends,

PRAISES!

  • First of all we want to thank YOU for praying for us as we have been transitioning into life in the United States (US) during our home assignment/furlough. Kurt has been working at the IT department at the International Linguistics Center and that has been a big blessing.
  • We are grateful to God for providing a house for us to live in while we are in the US.
  • We praise God for providing a van (from Righteous Rides) for missionaries.
  • We are thankful to be living close to family, our Church, and partners!
  • Some of our partners have increased their giving and our monthly support has gone up! THANK YOU!!!

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(Matthias on our way back from PNG)
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(Lukas with his cousin on his birthday in January)
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(Daddy-Daughter date night with Kassia on Valentine’s day)

PRAYER!

  • Lord willing, we plan to return to our ministry in PNG in July 2014. However, for that to happen, we must have 100% of the monthly financial support that Wycliffe requires before we will be released to return. Would you or someone you know like to partner with us? If so, click here. We will need $484 more per month prior to our return. Please pray with us now that God will raise up new support for our ministry so that we can return on time. We know He is able!
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We need to increase our support by:

     $484 per month

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  • Please pray as four members of our family are renewing their passports. Pray that the process will go smoothly and quickly.
  • Once we get our new passports we will apply for our Papua New Guinea (PNG) visas. Please pray that the visa renewal process will go quickly and smoothly as well.

Blessings,

Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias too!)

Monday, January 27, 2014

{Metzger Ministry Update} January 2014 | "Remember to Pray"

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” – Revelation 21:5 (NLT)

Dear Loved Ones,

We have been back in the US for almost two weeks now! Thank you so very much for remembering to pray for us while we were traveling. Although the journey was long (beginning nearly two months ago in Papua New Guinea), everything has worked out well. We almost missed our connection in Florida due to very long lines in the Customs area, but our connecting flight was delayed just long enough for us to run to the gate!

We’re settling in here, in Texas, for our home assignment and Kassia and Lukas have finished their first full week of school in the Desoto ISD. If you do remember, please continue to pray for their transition into a culture that is still “foreign” to them.

In the next week or so, we are planning to mail out an updated prayer card, but we’re not sure that we have your updated contact information. If you have not received any recent mailings from us and would like to have the new prayer card, please send us your current mailing address by return email. You can also download our updated prayer card if you would like it in an electronic format.

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(Johanna’s family in Bogota)

Lord willing, we plan to return to our ministry in PNG in July 2014. However, for that to happen, we must have 100% of the monthly financial support that Wycliffe requires before we will be released to return. Would you or someone you know like to partner with us? If so, click here. We will need $634 more per month prior to our return. Please pray with us now that God will raise up new support for our ministry so that we can return on time? We know He is able!

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We need to increase our support by:

     $634 per month

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Blessings,

Kurt (for Johanna, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias too!)