Katterson PNG Update 8/14/25

Hi all,

I didn't get much news, but the team arrived in Ukarumpa (our time) at 11pm last night! Here are a few pictures.

 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Swimming pool was on the 7th floor

Our hotel room porch

 Bush plane to Ukarumpa (MAF [missionary] pilot)

 

 

With the Moes!

According to their itinerary, there is the possibility of a helicopter ride to the remote mountain villages (an early morning departure on Saturday, which I think is about noon today for us) to see that part of the Moes' life and work, weather dependent. So you can pray for a safe, fruitful, and Christ-exalting time as they fly, hike, and get a closer experience of the labor to bring the Bible into the heart language of these people.

PNG Fact of the Day: The highest mountain in Papua New Guinea is Mount Wilhelm and reaches an altitude of 14,793 feet. That is almost 3 miles!

Thank you for your prayers!

Amy for the guys

Home Front: Day 3

 

13 days to go...

Chain link activity: Enjoy some time with Mr. Steve and Miss Lulu

 

The first thing Jemima said this morning was, "Is Daddy here?" But she took the news well that, no, we still have more chain links to cut. We had a lovely morning at home, doing math, vacuuming, and weeding (or drawing with chalk, as the case may be).  No planting, because I need chicken wire first, or the dread rabbits may well destroy my happy little plants like they did my entire first round of seedlings in my garden. 

(Side note: Jemima has self-consciously decided to refer to me as "Mother" now. It kinda cracks me up. "Mother, is Father going to be home soon?" True story.)

Tonight was our first homeschool co-op orientation meeting. We are girding up our loins for the great adventure ahead of us.

We had a little bumpier night of sleep last night, so continued prayer there is appreciated.

 Do you like the random little tomato plant I threw in a couple months ago at the back of my plot of weeds? (Behind the yellow flowers, which are now propping it up.) That was part of Round 2 after the rabbits ate the entirety of Round 1.

Prayer requests: Healing for Victor's cough, good weather and safe travel for helicopter visit to village, and Spirit leading to encourage and bless the Moes

Home Front: Day 2

 

14 days to go...

Chain link activity: Buy some new bushes to go out front.

 

Today Josiah had a piano lesson, and then we stopped at a garden center and picked up some new bushes to fill a special area of weeds in the front of our house (used to be phlox). And we got to video chat with Ben and Victor for a few minutes this afternoon, when they were in Brisbane (on Thursday)! We had Wednesday Connection in the park tonight, with a robust round of Where's Waldo (which really called upon parents to dig deep, keeping up with their kiddos in pursuit of the elusive costumed targets).

Everyone slept really well here last night, which was such a blessing. Jemima has asked repeatedly if it's time to go get Daddy and Victor from the airport (her sense of timing is a little sketchy).

Prayer requests: Time, wisdom, and Spirit guidance for Ben to fine tune sermons for next two Sundays in PNG and peace for Jemima without Daddy and Victor

Katterson PNG Update 8/13/25

 Hi there, friends,

How does it feel to be living in yesterday? Tonight we flew from Tuesday into Thursday. That is because we went over the international date line. We had a whole night on the plane. We did not get a lot of sleep. Our main prayer request is that we would recover from the lack of sleep quickly so that we would be able to serve the Moes well. We landed in Brisbane, Australia, where it was still dark. (Arrival was 4:50am local time.)

We we have one more flight to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea before we'll get to spend the night in a hotel room.

 

The city of Brisbane, Australia in the distance

Papua New Guinea Fact of the Day:  Papua New Guinea has 832 known languages including English. Tok Pisin is the most common language, used to communicate with other tribes with different languages.

Thank you for your prayer,

Victor and Ben Katterson

Home Front: Day 1

15 days to go...

Chain link activity: Go to park with VCC friends.

 

We got everybody up at 6am to deliver Ben and Victor to the airport. Had a great time at the park and splashpad with homeschool co-op friends, such a beautiful day! We had a good afternoon at home and then decided to hike and throw rocks at the Mississippi River dam before supper. 

 Prayer requests: Good, peaceful sleep for everyone (here and traveling)

PNG Update 8/12/25

 

Hi there,

Praise Report: Mrs. Stein's visa arrived at 1am this morning!

We have had a safe trip so far and are thankful for your prayers. We made it to Chicago and Los Angeles safely. 

 

Would you please pray that we get lots of rest on our cross-Pacific flight tonight? We will need the energy for the new day. Thanks!

 

Send-off at the airport

Flight number one

Chicago airport

Flight number two

PNG Fact of the Day: The nation’s capital, Port Moresby, is located on the south east peninsula off the Gulf of Papua. This town became an important base for the Allies during World War Two as well as a primary Japanese target. The population of Papua New Guinea is 11 million people. Only 12% of that population lives in urban areas. That means that the other 88% live in the countryside and in villages.

Thanks a bunch,

Victor and Ben Katterson

PNG Update 8/11/25

 

Dear friends,

It feels exciting to be departing for Papua New Guinea tomorrow. We are hoping to see and try some fun new things while we minister to the Moes. We really appreciate your prayers over the past few weeks and would ask you to continue praying for us as we prepare to leave in less than a day!

Would you please pray that our trip to Papua New Guinea goes smoothly? Our first flight leaves at 10 am tomorrow and we still have several issues to take care of including a missing visa for one of our members.

• So please pray that God will grant the visa to be approved. 

• Please pray that we don’t forget anything important and that if we do, that it will be something easily replaceable.

• Papua New Guinea is on the other side of the world so please ask God to grant us rest and recovery after the sudden time change. 

• We arrive in PNG on Friday the 15th and the next day we hope to take a helicopter to the Domung village for a day to watch their life and see what it is like. This trip depends on the weather so please pray for clear skies all day.

And now for your Papua New Guinea fact of the day: 

Papua New Guinea, officially named the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is made up of half the island of Guinea, the eastern side, and is located directly above eastern Australia. Papua New Guinea is the third largest island country in the world, covering almost 200,000 square miles.

With thanks,

Victor and Ben Katterson