Looking back 2022 will remain a milestone year in André and Aurélie Tousch’s ministry in PNG and for their family. The Lord remains faithful and has accompanied them to the end of their ministry in Papua New Guinea. After a final family stay among the Iski people at the beginning of the year, they said goodbye to the village where they had lived in the middle of the jungle since 2014. A few days later, a team of Iski believers joined them in town, at the missionary centre, for checking several portions of the New Testament, which brought it to 80% translated and approved by a consultant. In May, they said goodbye to PNG, and returned to France, for their children’s education, as their eldest is going to graduate this year.
André was asked to take on the role of SIM director. Since SIM’s offices are located in the South of France, they decided to live in Nîmes, a city that offers good education options for the children, and is close enough to where SIM have their office.
In August they moved to Nîmes. André started in his new position, while continuing to translate the New Testament into the Iski language two days a week. Aurélie has started a part-time job at home, which allows her to be available for the children. The children started school in September in Nîmes. They had never set foot in a high school, but things are going very well for them! They are thankful for a smooth transition.
André and Aurélie are also thankful for the church they joined in Nîmes, which has been very welcoming.
In his new ministry at SIM France, André is privileged to supervise the SIM office team, who process donations, doing admin work, on behalf of the overseas missionaries; encouraging and praying for them! The team also visits churches to present the needs for more workers, and to share other needs. Andre will be participating in several church visits this year, to give news about the Iski work and to talk about the need to send workers into the harvest, with a special concern for the people who do not have access to the Gospel. Some of André’s office team are also in need of financial supporters.
André continues to translate the New Testament into the Iski language, and he is currently working on four epistles: Colossians, Philemon, Philippians and 2 Corinthians. Each epistle is at a different stage of translation. Every week he connects with a friend in the village via Skype, thanks to the satellite connection installed in the village. So they can work together. But for some tasks, nothing beats face to face! André is therefore preparing for a trip to Papua New Guinea in April. He plans to work on translation, but also to see the Iski brothers and sisters again, and to bring some encouragement to the church. Please pray as he prepares (visa application in progress) and for the trip!