Katterson PNG Update: Arrival

 Dear friends,

We made it! At 10:30 this morning, we touched down in Minneapolis! God brought us safely back home again. Thank you all so much for your prayer during our trip. We really needed it the whole time.

We have been noticing how nothing really went wrong on our trip except for the episode on the way back. God has used us to bless the Moes and the community of Ukarumpa beyond our expectations.

For example, during the Men's retreat, someone commented that they had not had anything like that for over two years! 

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Victor and Ben Katterson

Home Front: Day 16!

 This is the day!

Chain link activity: Eat a special treat and pick up Daddy and Victor at the airport!

We spotted Ben and Victor's plane from the airport dog park as they descended!

It was a joyful reunion to finally get Victor and Ben from the airport this morning! By the time he reached us, Victor was back on his feet (albeit hadn't eaten any food for 24 hours), and we loved hearing bits and snippets of their trip as we drove home. Nausea hit Victor again after being up for a while, so he retreated for a long afternoon nap, but before we left for Wednesday Connection (our last one in the park), he was able to eat and keep down a bowl of soup. 

I didn't want to leave Victor home alone, and Ben wasn't quite cogent enough to be driving the other kids on his own, so I took the other four for church in the park, and it was a grand finale to summer Wednesdays. But it was so good to get home and enjoy everyone under the same roof again.

Prayer requests: Strong systems that acclimate to this side of the world and grace and strength to bear into the new season of school, work, and ministry. And a Spirit-enabled receptivity for us at home to ask good questions, smooth the transitions, ease the baton-passing of roles, and generally provide a good landing place after such an intense and wonderful ministry experience.

Katterson PNG Update 8/27/25

 [From Amy]

Dear friends,

As many people started praying last night, God worked. Victor tried some Dimenhydrinate Dramamine (per our great pediatrician's suggestion), and he was finally able to stop vomiting and get some sleep.

At midnight I heard that their LAX flight had been delayed, so they needed to switch Chicago flights, now to arrive at about 1030am

At 603am Ben texted to say they touched down in Chicago. Victor is doing way better and has been able to keep fluids down. Praise the Lord! One more flight to go...

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Much grace to you,
Amy Katterson

Home Front: Day 15

 Tomorrow is the day!

Chain link activity: Make welcome home signs.

Mostly we just sit on the couch and look at books here

Well, maybe not always...

We enjoyed our last morning with Grammy and Grandad! I got to meet a friend for coffee and do a Costco Business Center run, and after lunch we said goodbye as Grammy and Grandad headed home. 

We heard at suppertime that Ben and Victor landed in LA, but that Victor has had vomiting pretty much every hour, through the 14-hour flight from Brisbane and since landing in California. Feels like a long time til they'll reach Minnesota (tomorrow at 9am).

 

Prayer requests: Victor to be able to get some fluids down, stop vomiting, get rest, and have grace to endure the final two flights. And a peaceful, grace-filled re-entry into the wilds of fall and school.

Katterson PNG Update 8/26/25

 [From Amy]

Dear friends,

The travel homeward continues. An hour ago I got a text from Ben:

Just landed in LA, Victor had a terrible flight. Threw up at least x8.

Meds haven't stayed down so far, and it's still a long haul before they are home.

Remaining flights:
Depart Los Angeles 1am (our time) to Chicago at 5am
Depart Chicago 7am to Minneapolis at 9am tomorrow morning

Please pray for the Lord's mercy, for rest and hydration, easing of nausea, and a grace-covered re-entry.

Home Front: Day 14

 2 days to go...

Chain link activity: Eat a treat to celebrate Auntie Lori's birthday.

Today was another beautiful day. We did our school things, and I got backpack supplies pulled together and ran some errands. We're looking forward to Culvers with custard for our treat tonight!

Prayer requests: Rest for the travelers, who won't have a bed to sleep in from about now until about Wednesday night!

Katterson PNG Update 8/25/25

 Dear friends,

We are back in Port Moresby on our return trip home! We are staying here for the night at a very fancy hotel. We are excited to be on our way back, but it was also sad to say goodbye to the Moes yesterday. We had such a wonderful time with them. Please pray for little jet lag for us as we are already tired from an early morning this morning.

Please pray for sleep on the planes because we are flying mostly when it is light out, which will make it hard to sleep. 

Please pray that our luggage will arrive safely and the same with us.

PNG Fact of the Day: Mumu is regarded as the national dish of Papua New Guinea. It is a slow-cooked assortment of fruits, vegetables, root crops, and meat, and is composed of pork, sweet potato, rice, and vegetables.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us,

Victor and Ben Katterson