{Merry Christmas from the Metzger family}

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? – Romans 8:31-32

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity during the last 10 years we have been in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Every month we are humbled and grateful as we see how God provides through YOU! Thank you very much.

We know that many of you pray for us. Please pray with us as we begin to plan a trip for Kurt to Australia to get an MRI (magnetic resonance image) of his right knee. As some of you might recall, he had surgery to repair his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in Colombia in 2009. That same knee has been bothering him for years now and we think now is the time to see what is happening to it. We have prayed about this and have been seeking wise counsel. There are no MRI machines here in PNG so that is why he would have to get medical treatment in Australia, possibly in Cairns where Lukas was born. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you,

Johanna for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas, and Matthias

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{Metzger Ministry Update} November 2016 | "Faithful"

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” - Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)

Dear Loved Ones,

Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! We marvel at his creation and its beauty. Below is a picture of Kurt’s orchids that bloomed this month. Thank you, Jesus for allowing us to enjoy what Your hands have made.

 
(Diplocaulobium chrysotropis)

We also thank God for you, our partners, who faithfully and generously minister to our family every month. Thank YOU! Please pray for us as we seek to raise Lukas, Kassia, and Matthias in a way that honors Jesus and that honors them.

(God is faithful! Today we celebrated these scriptures in print, audio and video format produced here in PNG in the last year.)

Pray with us for our friends Ben and Mandy Pehrson and their family and for our friend Beth Fuller. They are in the village in the Sandaun Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG) right now. They work with the Aitape West Translation Project (AWTP) and will be in the village for two weeks.

(from top: Kassia with Ellie Pehrson; Lukas; and Matthias with the roses he picked for mom)

Thanks again for your love and encouragement for our family as we serve here in PNG.

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

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{Metzger Ministry Update} September 2016 | "Urat NT!"

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. – Ephesians 6:13 (NLT)

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for praying for our family as Kurt traveled—1 ½ hours by plane and then 7+ hours by truck—to the Aitape West Translation Project (AWTP) in the Sandaun Province of Papua New Guinea at the beginning of August. He had a very successful trip and was able to assist in the installation of a solar powered electrical system for our friend Beth Fuller’s house as well as repair some network equipment essential for operations of the AWTP team.

(from top: “brains” of Beth’s solar system; Beth’s house with solar panels on top)

Praise God! At the end of July I (Johanna) had the privilege of attending the Urat New Testament Dedication in the Sepik province of PNG. What a joy it was to see the Word of God coming to one of the bibleless peoples of Papua New Guinea!

(Urat New Testament Dedication)

In August I began assisting in teaching the Adult Tok Pisin Literacy Course here in Ukarumpa. That course helps Papua New Guinean adults learn how to read and write in Tok Pisin (the trade language of PNG). I am truly enjoying working in this way! Please pray that I would be a blessing to others.

(Johanna teaching the Adult Tok Pisin Literacy Course)

As you can see it has been a busy couple of months in which God has truly blessed us. Thanks for faithfully lifting us up to our Heavenly Father and thank you also for your encouragement and love.

(First day of school for Kassia, Lukas and Matthias—who’s excited and who’s not so sure…)

Love from cloudy Ukarumpa,

Johanna (and for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas and Matthias

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{Metzger Ministry Update} July 2016 | "Solar Power"

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

Dear Loved Ones,

Thank you for your love and care for our family. Every month we are humbled by your generosity, encouragement, and support. We know that we would not be able to do our work in Papua New Guinea (PNG) if it wasn’t for your faithful partnership with us! 

(from top: Lukas, Matthias and Kassia in Madang during this school break)

At the beginning of August, Kurt will fly to the Sandaun Province to work with the Aitape West Translation Project (AWTP). The AWTP is a multi-language Bible translation and literacy project that includes 11 languages and dialects that are spoken west of the town of Aitape in Sandaun Province in PNG. We have mentioned this project before as our friends Ben and Mandy Pehrson work as Bible translation advisors there (Ben is the team leader). In 2011 Kurt helped install a VSAT in that same village to allow the team to have internet access. This time he will go to assist with the installation of solar panels and a battery system for our friend Beth Fuller’s house. Beth is the Scripture Use Coordinator for the team. Please pray for the AWTP and for Kurt as he goes to the village.

(from top: Kurt working at the AWTP in 2011; Johanna and Kassia in Madang during this school break)

We are thankful for Ukarumpa International School (UIS) and the wonderful teachers our children have. Lord willing at the end of July; Kassia will be starting grade 6, Lukas will be starting grade 3, and Matthias will enter Kindergarten. They are very excited for the beginning of school but are also enjoying their break!

Blessings,

Johanna for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas, and Matthias

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{Metzger Ministry Update} May 2016 | "Connecting"

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT)

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for so faithfully lifting us up in prayer to our Heavenly Father while we serve here in Papua New Guinea. Thanks also for your generosity and encouragement!

Kurt continues to manage the information and communication services here in Ukarumpa and has been able to assist many SIL translators and support personnel that pass through his office.

I (Johanna) have been involved with the Connect Ministry for the Women of Ukarumpa. This ministry began as some women observed that living in a community (such as Ukarumpa), even as wonderful as it is, can be lonely. Over the past several years through Mini-Retreats, Hands On Skills Days and Social Events we have enjoyed good fellowship, encouragement from God’s word through guest speakers, and time to reflect and pray for one another.

(Johanna helping with Women’s Connect | Countries represented from left:

PNG, Australia, Colombia, Canada & England)

Please pray for our family to have good health and for God’s protection from the attacks of the enemy. Satan doesn’t like to see Jesus’ work being done and therefore he accuses and lies to those that love God.

(pictures from top: Matthias; Lukas as Cat in the Hat; Kassia as Laura Ingalls)

Finally, we want to give God the glory and to say thank you for your faithful support of our family and ministry. We’re nearly two years into this field term and have not lacked for anything. However, Wycliffe has significantly increased our ministry budget this month because of some changes they have made. We have been ok so far, but this shortfall will create a problem for us in the future if we remain under budget. If you’re interested in increasing your giving or you know someone that might like to join our team, please let us know.

Love and blessings from rainy Ukarumpa,

Johanna for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas, and Matthias

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{Metzger Ministry Update} March 2016 | "NT Dedication!"

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. – 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NLT)

Dear Loved Ones,

Thank you for loving us and praying for us so faithfully. Even though we are miles apart from you, our partners, God always encourages us through YOU. We will never get tired of thanking you!

February was a special month as the Creole New Testament (CNT) Dedication took place in the San Andres Islands (SAI), Colombia. Kurt’s dad (and Kurt’s mom before she passed away) worked on translating the SAI-CNT for about 15 years.

(Celebrating the SAI Creole New Testament)

At the beginning of February, Kurt had a very successful trip to Alotau and was able to fix the network at the SIL Regional Centre there.

(from top: Alotau Regional Centre; Kassia, Lukas and Matthias playing at the river in Ukarumpa)

This month (March) I (Johanna) had the joy of helping out in Lukas’s classroom. He is in second grade and is part of a first and second grade class combo. There are 26 students in their classroom! Normally there are 2 teachers assigned to that combo class (and one assistant) but two of them went to a Ladies’ Retreat in Australia last week. So, I got to help out and it was great fun.

(from top: Kassia’s 11^th birthday party; Matthias; Lukas’ 8^th birthday party)

We thank God for his kindness, gentleness, and love for us. He has carried us through the first few months of the year and they have been busy but full.

Love,

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

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{Metzger Ministry Update} January 2016 | "9 years"

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

Dear friends and family,

This January (2016) is a big month for our family. It has been 9 years since we arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG)! We thank God for His faithfulness and care over our family. We also thank YOU for being a vital part of what God is doing in our ministry and our lives.  Your prayers, encouragement, and support are what carry us through each day!

(from top: Our family in 2006; Our family now)

Kurt continues to enjoy working at the Communications and Technical Services Department. On January 27^th (tomorrow), he will travel to Alotau (in the Milne Bae Province). He has been setting up a more user friendly network that will work better for all the activity that happens at the Alotau Regional Centre. Many SIL translators and other members visit this Centre as they pass through on their way to and from villages. Please pray for Kurt and our family as he will be gone for one week.

Also this January, Kassia and I (Johanna) had the joy of participating in the Tok Pisin Holiday Bible School (Vacation Bible School). We led a group of students age 4 to 6 as they memorized verses and participated in activities and games. About 500 children from all over the Aiyura Valley attended the five day event. The theme of the week was the “The Names of God”. Bible lessons each day highlighted a different aspect of the verses. Many of the children memorized the entire Scripture section. Besides the Bible lesson, the program included times of enthusiastic singing, and the children were fascinated by the puppet and drama teams. Over seventy children talked to teachers specifically about salvation or their spiritual growth.

(Tok Pisin Holiday Bible School)

Blessings,

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

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