After leaving the family in Ukarumpa Thursday, I flew to the city of Kokopo, where we lived for several years and where we still have good contacts. Friday I went out to the nearby village of Warangoi to meet with Papa Martin and Mama Jacinta, dear friends and important allies in the Mamusi-speaking diaspora in the Kokopo area. They were able to arrange a meeting for me with Father Matthias, a high-ranking priest and educator at a nearby teacher’s college, who also happens to be a Mamusi speaker from our village of Sivauna.

On Sunday I went to the campus where Father Matthias teaches, attended Mass with the faculty and student body, then had a great meeting with him (the main reason for my trip to Kokopo). He re-affirmed his strong support (and that of the Archdiocese and the whole Catholic church) for the work we are doing in vernacular Bible translation. I recorded a video message where he addressed some issues that had arisen while we we’ve been away on furlough, regarding our place in the community and our qualification to be doing what we’re doing. This conversation was a huge win for our work; praise the Lord with me for strong local support.

Yesterday (Monday) I went to the airport for my flight out to the village, but it was cancelled due to mechanical problems with the plane. So I’ve had a bonus day in Kokopo and am still awaiting news that the plane is fixed and ready to go. Our dear friend and driver Willy has been waiting near my destination airport (hours away from his family) for over 24 hours now. Please pray with me that the plane gets fixed and I can make it out today, and that Willy doesn’t have to remain gone from his family and community much longer.

Once I get out to Sivauna village, I hope to show this support video as widely as I can, meet with the translation team to see how I can help them move forward with their work, meet with the translation committee to set the agenda for the next fiscal year, and visit around and renew relationships in the village. If there’s time, I also hope to fix whatever has broken in the house in the year I’ve been away, to install the new projector and screen (thank you CAK Middle School!), install the new power system batteries (thank you Cross Point Church!), and dozens of other little odds and ends around the house. I plan to return to Ukarumpa on June 22. Thanks for your prayers!