Description of our service in PNG

We are working in Papua New Guinea (PNG) with Wycliffe Bible Translators. There are over 800 different languages in PNG. In PNG, members of Wycliffe have finished translating about 160 New Testaments and are currently working in partnership with over 200 communities throughout the country. The work demands versatility and creativity.We want the people of PNG to know what Jesus has done for them in paying the penalty for their sin (death) and in offering them the gift of Eternal Life instead.

We trust for God to change and empower people's lives as He speaks to them through His written Word. We aim for everyone to read and understand the New Testament in a language that they know very well.

Our role in Wycliffe Bible Translators

• Supporting Bible Translators and Literacy workers through:
• Technical assistance telephone system, computer and electronic equipment repair.
• Training local workers to do the above tasks.
• Teaching the children in High School.
• Teaching local children in Sunday School.
• Practising hospitality in the home.
• Praying.
• Talking and encouraging on the radio.
• Buying some food supplies and sending it out to the village on the plane.

Our children and what they are doing

Our children are all allowing God to lead their lives. We are very pleased about this.

Joy, aged 25.

Joy is married to Bryce Morden.They live in Eastern Victoria at Maffra with their 2 children, Emily (aged 3) and Rachel (aged one).

Lydia, aged 23.

Lydia is working as a Nurse in the Royal Children's Hospital. She lives with her Grandparents (Cleve and Barbara Lyster) at Reservoir. She is looking toward being involved in Bible Translation in the future.

Mark, aged 21.

Mark is studying Myotherapy at Batman TAFE and Christian Counselling at Tabor Bible College. He and Joshua live in Mitcham and they open their home to people in need.

Joshua, aged 21.

Joshua is working in Rowville in a warehouse of musical instruments.

David, aged 10.

David is being home schooled while we are in Australia. He is particularly enjoying spending time with his big sisters and brothers. It will be hard to say 'Good-bye' in late June

Letters

May08

30 May 2009,

Dear Friends,

It is nicer to be able to talk to you face to face but I am very thankful that we continue to have this facility to be able to write to you and have you receive it quickly. I have only just got back onto email. We had a very special time in Australia and are thankful to God for enabling us to go. Psalm 103:11 "For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth." Mum and I had two precious weeks in Tasmania visiting her side of the family and doing a bit of sight seeing. She seems to be coping well so far. We trust she continues to do so as life gets back to 'normal'.

While I was in Tasmania , David stayed with his siblings. They have a great relationship with each other. It is so good to see. David turned 13 years old on the 21 May so we now have a teenager again. He enjoyed the birthday celebrations he had in Australia . He finishes Primary school Friday 12 June. The parents and teachers are planning a graduation celebration for the class. We trust it is a special time for them.

We arrived back here on Monday, 12 hours and 15 mins from the time we left my Mum's in Melbourne to the time we got to the front door of our house here. Wow! We have never done that before!

Laurie coped well while we were gone. He worked longer hours than normal and then came home around 8 pm and cooked himself balanced meals. Good for him.

I have had a fairly quiet week - adjusting to being back again, catching up with some people, reading the emails that came in while I was away, sewing, writing a reference for a student and making some preparations for a wedding (14th) etc. There was a fire in our close friend's village on Tuesday destroying 3 houses. A three year old had taken a stick from the fire his mother was cooking on and put it too close to the wall of the house. Disaster!! Most of the contents were destroyed. I found various clothes to give, including some which were my Dad's, which I had bought up. The wedding on the 14th is with one of our close friends, Rosa, and a man from Pt Moresby. They are having a church wedding. We have been invited and are involved in some of the preparations.

Next week I go to Madang, Jais Aben, for a 'renewal' camp. I registered for it in March. It is one given by a group of women in America who are aiming to help missionaries and full time church workers be renewed in their faith. It is paid for by gifts from others in America . We only have to pay for the transport there and back. I tried to pull out in April before we went to Australia but that didn't work out so Laurie said I may as well go even though I have just had the time in Australia . We will get into more 'regular' work the week after.

With love,

Valmai, Laurie and David.

Jan08

22 Jan 2009

Dear friends,

Thank you to those who prayed for the holiday Bible School . It was very well run and the children enjoyed it. We trust that God worked in their lives. It was an encouragement to see so many children listening to God's talk. The 'small' group I was responsible for consisted of 40 to 50 teenagers. We pray that what they have heard will have a lasting effect on their lives.

Thank you to everyone who wrote at Christmas time. I think our custom of writing at Christmas is a good one. It enables us to keep in touch with people with whom we may otherwise lose contact.

I had two special treats over the Christmas holidays. The first was to fulfil a dream that I have had for 34 years: to climb the highest mountain in this country, Mt. Wilhelm . (nearly 15 000 ft). I went with a group from the High School: 17 teenagers, 5 adult males and myself. Two of the girls and myself climbed to about 13 000 ft, the others all climbed to the top. The view from where we climbed to was inspiring. Our God is an awesome God. It was worth it.

The second treat was to go for 5 days to Madang, a coastal town. This time it was our family plus Margret, Tomase and Mat'ka, our very special friends from the Four Square church. We went swimming nearly every day. One of the highlights for me was to show Tomase the fish and coral. She is not able to swim very strongly so she floated on an inner tube while I directed it.

Starting this week, I am moving into a new area of ministry. Other teachers will be taking the classes I had last semester. At this stage I am not sure what the ministry will entail. I am trusting God to show me step by step. Last Sunday I believe He showed me the first step: Preparing Sunday School materials for a group of people 6 mountain ranges south of here and training the teachers to teach. The material will probably be bilingual, both in the local village language (Awi^ana) and Pidgin. Most of the people in that area are illiterate.

The two PNG students, I was teaching, who sat their exams last October, have been accepted into tertiary studies so they must have done well enough. Thank you, God. We have not yet received their results so we are still chasing that up.

With Love,

Valmai, Laurie and David.

This week I am involved in a holiday Bible School programme mainly for the PNG children from the valley. Then theme of the week is 'The Fruits of the Spirit'. On Monday we had nearly 400 children. Yesterday I estimate we were closer to 500 children. We divide into 'small' groups for activities. Yesterday we had 42 young people, ages 10-16, in the group I am leading.

For those who pray, please pray for each of the children that God will work in their lives through His Holy Spirit.

• Letters 2008 and before
• Letters from January to July 07
• Letters from 2006