Date: Saturday 15th August 2026
Time: 9.30am to 12 noon
Where: All Saints' Church
We'll be reading through the gospel of St Mark in in aid of Clare, Andrew, Levi, Heidi and Eowyn Koens who support the work of Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea (see June Magazine for more information).
Andrew and Clare’s costs include the following:
- £2 per month Fire Charge (there is a team of missionaries who volunteer to run the Fire department in Ukarumpa Centre, and the Koens contribute towards the upkeep of the equipment).
- Ukarumpa International School - £150 per month per child, to cover the costs of the building, the materials, and hiring local support staff.
- £375 per month medical insurance – no NHS in Papua New Guinea, and any treatment beyond regular GP services requires travelling overseas.
- Last visit to the UK was in 2022 – they hope to visit the UK again in 2027. Travel will cost about £1000 per person to travel from Ukarumpa to London.
- Every Friday Clare buys fruit and vegetables from the early morning outdoor market, buying directly from local growers. The cost for a weekly supply of cucumbers, pineapples, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, strawberries and potatoes is about £15.
- I remember Clare mentioned in 2022 that they have to pay for security each month – something we don’t have to think about here in Guildford. The current cost is £138 per month.
- The children are musical: Heidi has French Horn lessons, and Eowyn plays the flute – cost £20 per month per child.
These are just some of their costs living in Papua New Guinea – some are lower than we have, some higher (e.g. no school equivalent to Guildford County School that the children could go to, which is why they have to pay fees for the International School).
Everyone is welcome – of all ages from 0 upwards! – to come to part or all of the sponsored Bible Reading on Saturday 15th August. If anyone would like to read a few verses that is fine – if others prefer to sit and listen that is also fine. There is no obligation to read if one does not want to. We will break for a cup of tea/coffee or cold drink at the mid point.
Mark’s Gospel does not take long to read – those of us who have attended in other years have really appreciated the chance to read and think about one whole book of the bible, but if you can only come for 15 minutes that is also fine.
For any more information please chat to Dan Brown, Richard Hemingway, Bruce Hopwood or me, Katherine Hopwood.
Give to a specific person/project - Wycliffe Bible Translators
The link above will take you to a giving page where you can Gift Aid your gift to Clare and Andrew. You need to type in that the gift is going to a person, then type in “Clare and Andrew Koens”, that you are giving once and then select the amount you wish to give. On the following web page there is the opportunity to Gift Aid your gift.
Card donations, cheque donations and cash are also welcome on the day, and we can help anyone to access the online form. We will also have a few printed gift aid forms.
Andrew, Clare, Heidi, Eowyn amd Levi Koens
Katherine Hopwood