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I’ve been asked by my friend Martha to help with her Bible dedication that she began translating in the 1980’s! I’m so excited! I plan to be there a full month, so that I can take care of my belongings that I left in 2021. I am raising funds now so that I can book the flights. I hope you will help me with this amazing opportunity, and closure of my life there.

Check this out!
If you give $100 (or more!) by the end of May, my supporting church, Vista Community Church, will match that – which will DOUBLE your donation and make it a whopping $200 (or more)!

Please consider giving.

Flights and accommodations will be around $7,100. Yikes, right?! This includes flights to and from Papua New Guinea, the tourist visas, housing, utilities, phone service, internet, the use of a PBT vehicle and gas, food, (whatever else I’ve forgotten) and helicopter flights to and from Martha’s village for the dedication. Helicopters are the only way to get in and out of her village – deep in the jungle. As exciting as that sounds, I need help funding this! The cost shown also includes debriefing sessions afterward so that I can process closing this part of my life.

I plan to fly to Madang with Brenda, a PBT teammate and friend. When we first arrive, we’ll focus on packing up the things I left in my flat. This means organizing into piles what I will sell, give away, or bring back with me; everything needs to go. I love my sweet Papua New Guineans so much! I wish that I could be in two places at once… but I know that I am where the Lord wants me right now.

Your contribution will help me assist with the Bible dedication for the Apal people (a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!!) and “finish my time” in Papua New Guinea (PNG) so that my family there can, as they say, “release me to live in America with my ‘other’ family.” I’ll maximize my time in Madang, but since I no longer have a work permit or PNG visa, I am allowed a 30-day visa. It takes time to purchase and prepare the food and organize all that needs to go out to the village for the dedication – including the visitors who will arrive soon after we do, so we will be very busy!

In my next update, I will share some of the details of what exactly I have been asked to do for the dedication.

When I left America in January of 2014, I did not know how long I would be in PNG; would it be six months, or a year, or would I die there? I hadn’t thought that far out. I was simply following God’s call to, “follow Him.” This has all been a part of my “Yes” to Him. You know that I came back for what I thought was a, “one-year home assignment” in 2021… and that I am still here. Ohio is my new home again, and I am very glad to be near my family again!

You may also recall that I told my family and friends in PNG that I would, “See them in a year.” I didn’t know any better. Well, it has now been two years since I arrived in Ohio. It has been very hard for my village family that I did not return as I said I would. They grasp the fact that the Lord asked me to stay here with my family, but they have had no closure. They love me as deeply as I love them. Leaving will not be easy on any of us, even though we understand that I was there for a season – in God’s timing, but it will still be very emotional for all of us when I leave what was my life with them for over seven precious years.

Through many conversations with counselors and advisors, I understand that I will need time in a neutral location to process leaving that life behind. So I will be, “debriefing” in Brisbane Australia afterwards. Brenda is trained in, “Trauma Healing” and will walk me through some steps toward healing. An uplifting part of the debriefing time is that we will take a day to visit the Lone Pine koala sanctuary. It is so peaceful there, and hopefully healing to my soul. All of what I have shared with you are necessary steps to move forward in a healthy way. I don’t know if/when I will ever return to PNG.

If you do not currently support me, it would be wonderful if you would consider donating for this special trip. If you currently support me, please consider giving over the amount you normally give in your monthly donations (thank you very much for your monthly gifts!!). I am completely on board for those who will give a one-time gift to assist with the Bible dedication! Can you imagine not having the Word of God in your heart language until August 1st 2023?! That is where the Apal people have been. This will be life-altering! Any amount will help! I am praying for the Lord to touch hearts, and that His people will give lavishly.

Please give here:  SharonKozar

Thank you very much!

Please watch the video below to get a taste of what a Bible dedication can be like from Papua New Guinea – this is Pioneer Bible Translators’ first FULL Bible in PNG. The Apal Bible is the second.

Aruamu Bible Celebration from Pioneer Bible Translators on Vimeo.