Heading to the Highlands…

Three hours away from here, up into the mountains, the Highlands, there is a place called Ukarumpa. It is the SIL/Wycliffe Bible Translators base for PNG. We’re not sure of the exact stats, but there are hundreds of missionaries living there, from all over the world. And the majority of them are from America, giving Ukarumpa the popular name of “Little America” (without McDonalds, Starbucks and Walmart). So, that’s where we’re heading for a 9-day holiday.

As you may know, there are said to be some 800 different languages in PNG and there are still many of them that do not have a Bible in their language. Ukarumpa serves to facilitate this translation work and is its own self-contained community, with schools, medical clinic, store, post office, church and everything you need. Translators typically go to their villages for 2-3 months at a time and then return to Ukarumpa, where they continue their work, have nationals come for training sessions, and their children take part in the regular schooling system.

For us, it is a peaceful place to go when we need a break from Lae. The scenery is beautiful; the weather is spring like—warm during the day, cool at night; we can blend in with the other white people, instead of being the constant object of people’s gaze; we can go for walks together as a family; visit the horse ranch and look at cows; and last but not least, we can play at the playground! (Actually that’s at the top of the list for Jonathan!)

We’ll post some pictures when we get back.

Till then, may the Lord bless and keep you.

Oh, before we sign off, here's our little bookworm...


I tried to post one of Jonathan too, but blogger wouldn't let me.