A gift that lives beyond generations
by Deb Fox
Did you know that more than 80 per cent of all single people who serve in cross-cultural mission work are women? While this statistic may be surprising, it is not a new phenomenon. Many of Wycliffe Australia’s members currently serving on translation projects are single women and our retiree base includes many single women. Do they feel like they have missed out because they never had the opportunity to marry? The lives of Audrey, Joy and Rosemary suggest otherwise.
Audrey Payne may have never married or carried children of her own but she is fondly remembered by the Serave family in Papua New Guinea. When they heard of Audrey’s passing last year, they sent a ‘heartfelt tribute to our mother, grandmother and great grandmother’. The family said of Audrey: ‘You were not just a missionary or a visitor from afar. You became our mother, nurturer, teacher, and guide.’
The Serave children received an education from Audrey and have stepped into professional careers including a number of engineers, an accountant and a legal practitioner. They say they are grateful for the investment Audrey made in their lives and faith:
These careers – these lives – were made possible through the seeds you planted: seeds of love, faith, discipline, literacy and education. Your presence transformed not only our family but an entire Kamano-Kafe Language speaking community. It is no small thing to say that you … contributed to raising the literacy rate among 50,000+ Kamano-Kafe speakers in the Eastern Highlands Province. You gave us something even deeper than knowledge – you gave us the ability to understand God’s Word in our own mother tongue. That is a gift that lives beyond generations.
Joy Atkinson is another single woman who left an indelible mark on language communities in Papua New Guinea and as a prayer warrior for many Wycliffe Australia members when she returned home. Joy passed away in July 2025 after a battle with thyroid cancer and was remembered in a joy-filled service of thanksgiving in Canberra.
Joy or ‘Joy Bells’ began her time in Papua New Guinea as a beloved teacher in the Fly River region, and later, for many decades, served with SIL-PNG among the Siane people in the Eastern Highlands. Cameron Lati, Administrator for the Fly River Forum, said of Joy:
We are saddened by the loss of someone who gave so selflessly to our people and land. Her life was a true reflection of commitment, humility, and purpose.
After returning to Australia, Joy represented Wycliffe in Canberra and had been a cherished part of our Wycliffe Australia retiree group, known as a great encourager and someone filled with the joy of the Lord.
We also celebrate an incredible milestone with Rosemary Rodda, who turned 101 in March. Rosemary (or Ro to her friends) was one of the founders of the Philippines branch of SIL and served there for 40 years, from 1955 to 1995. She helped to create a written language and translated Scripture into the Batak language in the Palawan region of the Philippines and also offered her services as a teacher in local schools. She also taught as a Phonetics and Language and Culture teacher, training the next generations of linguists and Bible translators. Ro celebrated her centenary last year with a number of parties and was even interviewed for her local paper in Albury, NSW.
Wycliffe Australia is grateful to be able to provide ongoing care for all members. Our Retiree Care team continues to support those who have served as families, couples or as single people when they return home. The community and connection help to ensure that no one is left without practical and prayer support. To connect with one of our Retiree Care workers, contact retireecare@wycliffe.org.au.
UPDATE: In the time since this story went to print, Rosemary Rodda passed away. She went peacefully to be with Jesus in her own home, surrounded by family.
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