Our Stories
PNG in '23 Discovery Trip
By Karen Lineburg,
For many years I’d heard of this place called Ukarumpa, up in the highlands of PNG. As a church we’ve journeyed with Max and Helen Sahl, who spent 20 years there serving as teachers through Wycliffe. When I heard that Helen was looking for a team of people to join her on a Discovery Trip to witness “God’s big picture for Bible Translation”, I was keen to be part of it.
Our team of 12, travelling from 3 different states gathered at Treetops Lodge in Cairns to prepare for our trip. God brought together a wonderful and diverse group of people - from 23 to 72 years of age, all with a common love for God and his people and an interest in PNG and mission.
The flight from Port Moresby to Ukarumpa, in a 9-seater plane, was amazing. Seeing the little villages perched on the sides of mountains gave us an insight into how remotely people live and why there are so many different language groups. Later we were to hear stories from missionaries who have spent years in some of these remote communities, learning the language and loving the people.
Helen and Eva, our leaders, organised a wonderful program that gave us many opportunities to be immersed in the community, to hear people’s stories and see the many ministries all working together to do God’s work.
Within the township and surrounds we visited the clinic, the schools, the store, the training centre, the construction and maintenance department, the print shop, the translation centre and aviation. Some of our team took part in Scripture Engagement workshops and Linguistic seminars. We were privileged to watch translators at work in their small offices. We attended two church services (one in Tok Pisin) and were welcomed into many homes. We attended a 50-year celebration of a couple who have served faithfully in the work of Bible Translation from the time they were married. Missionaries came to visit us at the guesthouse to give us a glimpse of their life and service. It was such a rich time!
A few highlights for me…
A few of us visited some remote villages where they are in the process of establishing birth centres so that women can come and have access to water and a clean place to deliver their babies. More money is needed before the work can be completed.
I had the privilege of taking along the Days for Girls kits that were gratefully received.
I met the optometrist who distributes glasses to PNG folk working on Bible Translation. We were shown the Solar Powered Audio Bibles - an exciting way for people to listen to God’s Word in their own language. These two items will be in our Two Birds Catalogue this Christmas!
I loved spending a morning at the primary school - such a beautiful place where children from many nations are learning and playing together while their parents are busy in ministry.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity I was given. Thank you for praying for our team. Please continue to pray for the work at Ukarumpa and if you’re interested in learning more please visit wycliffe.org.au or come and have a chat with me.
God bless,
Karen Lineburg
For many years I’d heard of this place called Ukarumpa, up in the highlands of PNG. As a church we’ve journeyed with Max and Helen Sahl, who spent 20 years there serving as teachers through Wycliffe. When I heard that Helen was looking for a team of people to join her on a Discovery Trip to witness “God’s big picture for Bible Translation”, I was keen to be part of it.
Our team of 12, travelling from 3 different states gathered at Treetops Lodge in Cairns to prepare for our trip. God brought together a wonderful and diverse group of people - from 23 to 72 years of age, all with a common love for God and his people and an interest in PNG and mission.
The flight from Port Moresby to Ukarumpa, in a 9-seater plane, was amazing. Seeing the little villages perched on the sides of mountains gave us an insight into how remotely people live and why there are so many different language groups. Later we were to hear stories from missionaries who have spent years in some of these remote communities, learning the language and loving the people.
Helen and Eva, our leaders, organised a wonderful program that gave us many opportunities to be immersed in the community, to hear people’s stories and see the many ministries all working together to do God’s work.
Within the township and surrounds we visited the clinic, the schools, the store, the training centre, the construction and maintenance department, the print shop, the translation centre and aviation. Some of our team took part in Scripture Engagement workshops and Linguistic seminars. We were privileged to watch translators at work in their small offices. We attended two church services (one in Tok Pisin) and were welcomed into many homes. We attended a 50-year celebration of a couple who have served faithfully in the work of Bible Translation from the time they were married. Missionaries came to visit us at the guesthouse to give us a glimpse of their life and service. It was such a rich time!
A few highlights for me…
A few of us visited some remote villages where they are in the process of establishing birth centres so that women can come and have access to water and a clean place to deliver their babies. More money is needed before the work can be completed.
I had the privilege of taking along the Days for Girls kits that were gratefully received.
I met the optometrist who distributes glasses to PNG folk working on Bible Translation. We were shown the Solar Powered Audio Bibles - an exciting way for people to listen to God’s Word in their own language. These two items will be in our Two Birds Catalogue this Christmas!
I loved spending a morning at the primary school - such a beautiful place where children from many nations are learning and playing together while their parents are busy in ministry.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity I was given. Thank you for praying for our team. Please continue to pray for the work at Ukarumpa and if you’re interested in learning more please visit wycliffe.org.au or come and have a chat with me.
God bless,
Karen Lineburg