Originally, Jonathan and Susan Kopf with Mikenna planned to return to the USA for a one-year home-assignment starting in May but now are praying about returning in July. In the meantime, the Lord has granted health and safety for them and their Hewa friends in Papua New Guinea and they are happy to press forward with New Testament translation and teaching/discipleship. They are currently translating Colossians, Philemon, 1-3 John and Jude during the day and have enjoyed teaching the freshly translated book of 1 Peter three evenings each week. They are very grateful for those who continue to have a desire to learn and grow in their walk with the Lord.
They are also very pleased to report that the first phase of the Creation-through-Christ outreach to a small village (about a nine-hour hike from their village) is complete! In March, two believing Hewa families started teaching daily lessons to the very remote little group. Jonathan received news from one of them saying that the people there followed well and did a great job answering his questions, showing that they comprehend the main truths of the message. Then very recently, he heard that some in the group are now professing faith in Jesus. These new believers have invited them to continue into the next phase of teaching, which is a series of lessons designed to strengthen their faith. After a short break back at his own village the Bible teacher plans to return with a new blackboard as (a windstorm destroyed the previous one) so that in addition to teaching the Bible he can also teach a new reading and writing class for others who have a new desire to read the Bible for themselves. Please pray for the villagers as they grow in their new faith, and please remember to pray for the two families as they plan to continue teaching.
In these times of uncertainty across the globe, Jonathan and Susan‘s hearts break for those who have lost family and loved ones. Their prayer is that God will give believers the insight and courage to reflect the love of Jesus into the hearts and lives of those around them.