Why aviation, optometry, and teaching are vital to Bible translation

Wycliffe Today Autumn 2026

by Deb Fox

Robert and Loralie Handasyde live in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea, with their two young children, Emily and Michael. They felt called to serve in cross-cultural missions but were not sure what that would look like until, as Loralie describes, they ‘came across an open door and walked through it!’

Robert was always interested in flying. He heard that helicopters in missions were a real need. He shares:

PNG has minimal infrastructure, so to get supplies to a remote location in the mountains can be tricky without a plane. Many places are inaccessible when flooding closes roads, so they really need help with flights. 

Similarly, Loralie wanted to serve God in some way but was surprised that she could use her training and experience to become the first long-term optometrist to care for the needs of locals and others serving in Ukarumpa. She says:

We know that our roles are appreciated [here]. When I can provide glasses for people here in Ukarumpa, they don’t have to take time off work to travel and make costly trips to see an optometrist back home. It makes a difference. The trouble is, it’s often harder to explain here in Australia about why our roles are helpful and how they connect with Bible translation. Churches often want to support a pastor, church planter or Bible translator, so it takes a bit to explain why support roles are so important.

A powerful testimony of the importance of the various roles involved in Bible translation was a recent Scripture Application and Leadership Training workshop in a remote village in the highlands. Robert flew Scripture engagement leaders into the area so they could teach local language communities how to read their Bibles in the context of their culture. 

Robert explains: One man who was known to locals as a ‘raskol’ [criminal] turned up to the workshop, not even knowing himself why he had walked an entire day to reach the village to attend the training. After hearing the Word of God being preached in his mother tongue, his life was transformed. He gave his life to Jesus, along with seven others. People in that area had almost nothing, not even enough to buy cups. Yet 40 people came out to purchase Bibles after the training! Working together, you see God opening doors for the gospel.

PRAY:

• that the Handasydes continue to be encouraged in their work
• wisdom for Robert as he trains new helicopter pilots
• for deeper connections with churches and more opportunities to share
• for more teachers to fill roles at the International School
• that a dentist can be found for the clinic.