Category: News–Hope Sharp

Again, there is little exciting to share from me but some profound prayer needs for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Papua New Guinea.

April blew into May with the visit of a long-time friend from Oregon and chances to explore SEMO. Kellie and I visited all my favourite old haunts and found a few new ones. Blue Spring (above) is definitely another example of the beauty God has blessed us with here in the Ozarks. The scene madeContinue reading May 2021

Prayers needed for Papua New Guinea! While Covid is seeming to maybe perhaps be coming under control here in the USA, it’s only just taking root in Papua New Guinea. Strict limitation on people coming into the country kept the case numbers manageably low – until now. Public news outlets say the past month sawContinue reading April 2021

All Papua New Guinea is currently in mourning over the loss of the “papa bilong kantri” (father of the country), the 1st Prime Minister of the nation, The Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. He served 17 years as the head of their government plus functioned in other various leadership roles from the time PNG becameContinue reading March 2021

Some Highlights for Praise and Prayer from Papua New Guinea: Lembena: A recent update from Adam and Anna Ferguson (Co-workers Jason & Tami Hughes and Micah & Laura Myers) in the Lembena language group brought back stark memories from my May River days.

On the front lines in Papua New Guinea: a few snippets for your prayers ….. Amdu tribe – Jason Stuart will be flying into Amdu this week to do a translation check on the Amdu book of Acts. (His 2 teens Jedidiah and Ella Jo will go along and doubtless have great times together withContinue reading January 2021

Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Born thy people to deliver, born a child andContinue reading December 2020

With Thanksgiving coming, here’s something to chew on. The statistics below are gleaned from the Wycliffe Global Alliance website. Wycliffe is the missions group who keep the most accurate records of translation work and ongoing needs for the Bible around the globe. Languages with no Scripture 3945 languages with no Scripture – 255 million people.Continue reading November 2020

PNG – While Covid continues to monopolize much of the news in the USA, cases in Papua New Guinea have miraculously and  thankfully remained light! Several missionary families currently in the States are now trying to return to the field to get plugged back into their respective ministries again. Flights are few and far betweenContinue reading October 2020

From the front lines in PNG: Over in the Amdu language group — the Good News of salvation thru Jesus’ death and resurrection was presented to them several weeks ago. We now have brothers and sisters in Christ in this isolated jungle locale! The baby believers can use our prayers! Here are a few ofContinue reading September 2020

After nearly 40 years in Papua New Guinea struggling to understand their reasoning and logic, I’m settling in to the land of my birth to – guess what! – struggle to understand the reasoning and logic that prevails in the USA today. A simple example of common sense from the jungle: WHY, when walking alongContinue reading July 2020

Suddenly it’s summer !!! and with it comes my switch from “Home Assignment” to serving on an “Itinerate Status.” This means I’m working full days at home on upgrading printable resources for the May River Iwam. There’s plenty to do. All our older Bible Lessons and literacy files need to be proofread and the spellingContinue reading June 2020

As we ride out “the virus” here in the USA other countries around the world too are battling the bug. There HAVE been a few cases diagnosed in Papua New Guinea so please add the needs there to your prayers as God brings them to mind. There have been restrictions in place much like hereContinue reading May 2020

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV — Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Interesting days we are living thru, eh! I made an early a.m. trip to Walmart the other morning thinking I’d get ahead ofContinue reading April 2020

It’s tempting to let this be “melancholy month.” Normally at this point in past Home Assignment (HA) times I would be checking flights and purchasing tickets to return to Papua New Guinea. There would be totes to pack with their meticulously itemized customs lists of all the miscellaneous articles I’d purchased to take back toContinue reading March 2020

Early February highlights in America seem to revolve around Groundhog Day, super bowl, State of the Union, Valentine’s Day…. For me February means TAXES. This year has been a muddle of confusion beyond all previous years. Thankfully we have home staff missionaries at our main office who serve the Lord by helping inexpert filers likeContinue reading February 2020

So – did you have a happily memorable Christmas season? Here’s how some missionary friends spent the holidays:

Are you still praying for the Kaje people as they hear the foundational Bible teaching? Last week they learned of Jesus’ words, “”I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the one and only road that leads to forgiveness for sin, eternalContinue reading December 2019

October sped by mostly spent on the road visiting supporters and friends. What a precious time it was! Every day that I was on the road I was confronted with the fact that I was blindly trusting and following my car’s navigation system. I knew the destination but had NO idea what route I’d beContinue reading November 2019

Back in PNG: God is certainly at work answering our prayers for the Kaje people as Taylor & Abby Goheen, Jon & Jen Myers, and Christopher & Lilli Meyer teach the foundational truths of God’s Word to them. Remarkably the entire village continues to come to the teaching sessions – a miracle in itself asContinue reading October 2019

Back in PNG: God is at work! Please continue to pray for the missionary team (Taylor & Abby Goheen, Jon & Jen Myers, and Christopher & Lilli Meyer ) at Kaje as they teach the foundational truths of God’s Word. The missionaries teach 4 days a week, each lesson requiring subsequent one-on-one and / orContinue reading September 2019

Back in New Guinea: Kaje tribe: initial bible teaching will begin the 15th of August and continue for the next 4 months. 4 months ??? Yes, it takes that long to thoroughly explain in the local language the foundational truths of God’s Word, starting with an overview thru the Old Testament and the Gospels, buildingContinue reading August 2019

What happened to June??? Yet another proof – the days may drag but the weeks, months, years fly by.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 — “The conclusion of something is better than its beginning, and a patient attitude is more valuable than a proud one.” (ISV) With much longing and lamenting so ends this era of life here in Papua New Guinea. It’s certainly been the best 39+ years a person could hope to live. Though myContinue reading May 2019

Because you prayed…. Our annual regional Conference proved to be a refreshing AND challenging time for all! Fellowship and family frivolity added to the fun. Feasting for the Soul came from passages in 2 Corinthians as 2 of our mission leaders shared that we are: Christ’s Fragrance – 2 Cor 2:14-17; His Letters — 2Continue reading April 2019