Do you remember P & K? Their names are Philipa and Kamilus, two national translators who work with us. She is to the far right and Kamilus is to her right. Sorry this isn’t a very good photo, but it was all I could find. Their son was the one who was at the wrong place at the wrong time last year, and in trying to defend himself ended up cutting another young man with his machete and killing him. The young man who died was raised by his uncle. You can read part of that story here. Kamilus is finally allowed to come into town and work with the Mum team. He shared with me that when the uncle burned his house (along with several others in their village), tore up their gardens, and dug up all of their banana trees, that he also smashed Philipa’s hand crank sewing machine. She used it to sew clothes to sell to make money for school fees for their 10 children. He didn’t ask me, but I know that they need a new one.

I talked to our Branch Director and our Director of Language Affairs and they gave me suggestions. I put those ideas together with some that Joni told me and decided I that I would ask Kamilus to confirm that everything is good with this uncle, to make sure that if they came home with a new sewing machine it wouldn’t set off some jealous rage by the uncle. The relationship culture/foundation here is such a web. I have so much to learn. Kamilus told me that everything was fine and that he would have the uncle come to the office that day to tell me personally that everything is finished. Um, what? The uncle who did all of these horrible things that made you and your family run into the deep jungle for fear of your lives being taken in the most violent way imaginable will come here and talk to me personally?! I didn’t know what to do with that – it scared me. Thankfully I was able to talk to our director who assured me that I would not be talking to this man. I can use the excuse that I am a woman and such discussions need to happen between the Head Men. I’ve never had a problem thinking that there are some places a woman should or should not be. This is one I am grateful that I can hand off to a man to handle.

I asked Kamilus to go at lunch time to get prices and model numbers on a machine like Philipa used to have. He did and came back with the price of 280 kina. I told him that I would ask my friends and family in America if they could cover half of the cost for it and he and Philipa cover the other half. This should alleviate (hopefully!) any chances of jealousy in their village. I told him that I would like to give the sewing machine to Philipa when she is allowed to come this fall. He liked that idea.

So, friends and family… would you like to help me bless P & K with a new sewing machine and some material to go with it? 280 kina is only a little over $100. I am hoping that someone will donate enough to cover the cost of some material too. Could that possibly be you? If so, you can send a check to:

Sharon Kozar • PO Box 281 • Dublin, Ohio 43017

Ali Hooper, my Forwarding Agent, will get it from the post office and send it to Dallas for PBT to process and send to me.

Thank you for considering it!! I appreciate you very much!

And thanks so much for praying me here. Without your prayers, emotional and financial support, I wouldn’t be here… THANKS TO YOU work is being completed here in Papua New Guinea!!

Please remember me in your prayers; I need them (sometimes desperately). Thank you!!