Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Training and Trusting




We just returned from Dallas, Texas where we got to meet and learn alongside an awesome group of people who have also joined Wycliffe's Global Service Program. Many of them are headed to Papua New Guinea like us! It will be cool to see familiar faces when we get there! One of our favorite times was getting to meet the Franklins and Milligans who served in Papua New Guinea for many years. You can read more about the Franklins in our July newsletter.

Click below to see a video of the Franklin's New Testament dedication:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VJZ9uWzgUo

During our first week of training, we had the opportunity to learn from veteran missionaries on many topics including principles of Bible translation, life overseas, spiritual warfare, God's sovereignty, and spiritual vitality. We also had plenty of time to develop relationships with other Wycliffe members.

The second week of training was for teachers. We were trained on how to help kids transition from one country and culture to another, deal with trauma and crisis, and how to teach kids from many countries in the same classroom. Laura's classroom in Papua New Guinea could have kids from as many as 15 different nations!

Now that we have completed all of the required training, we are ready to go! We are trusting that the Lord will provide everything we need to get there!

 

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Welcome


We both grew up as MK’s (missionary kids) and have always had a heart for missions. We have been waiting for God to show us “when”, not “if” we should go. We believe that God is leading us to go now! We have been accepted by Wycliffe Bible Translators’ Global Service Program to serve a two year commitment in Papua New Guinea.

We will be serving at Ukarumpa, located in the Eastern Highlands of PNG.  Laura will be teaching primary students at Ukarumpa International School, which is an elementary and secondary school of around 350 kids. Matt will be doing carpentry, building and overseeing nationals in maintaining the center. We will both be building relationships with Papua New Guineans and other missionaries each day.