December/January Update 2026

Hello from the van den Dolders! It’s been a while since you heard from us. We spent the month of December 2025 in Australia on holiday and came back to PNG in January 2026. Because we didn’t bring our possessions from Australia in a shipping container, we used this opportunity to bring the last round of boxes and suitcases full of things we need to settle here.

Our family has greatly enjoyed settling more permanently at the Reformed Churches Bible College in Port Moresby. We’ve had a chance to finally unpack the rest of our boxes and put down some roots. The kids are also much more settled now that they have all their own toys and are feeling very much at home here.

When we were in Australia we managed to get away with family for some time away. It was also a treat to be back at the beach, which was something we missed. For the kids, it was very special to reconnect with friends, grandparents and cousins.

Coming back to PNG was easier this time. Although the girls were apprehensive about leaving Australia again, once we got to the Bible College and finally unpacked the last of our boxes they were off making new friends. The college grounds here make a beautiful playground for a child, and there are always people (or animals) around to make friends with.  A particular blessing has been seeing the girls connecting with Tim & Alana Slaa’s daughters, and they’re always at each other’s houses getting up to mischief in one form or another.  Their favourite spot is definitely the trampoline under the rain tree. Evelyn also started homeschooling mid-January which has been a special development in our family.

While our home church is 9-Mile reformed church, only 10 minutes from home, we’ve also visited the Reformed Church plants that our colleagues are working with. A few Sundays ago we had a chance to visit Veifa’a for the first time. It was a four hour drive due to the road conditions (it can be done in under 3 hrs). The picture below, right, is of the Slaa’s car in front of us. For probably a kilometre or two the roads were as bad or even worse. The puddles were deep enough to have water sloshing over the bonnet at times.

Matthew is loving life. Although his back teeth seem to be coming in very slowly giving him (and his parents) lots of grief, he has really been enjoying himself. He is starting to do ‘boy’ things – playing with cars, bullying his sisters, fishing with the boys (above right) and being a bit of a terror. The students at the college are loving him and enjoy taking him for walks and things. There will be afternoons where he is gone for an hour or so, giving Evelyn a break and some time to get dinner ready. We’ve really enjoyed the sense of community at the college.

As we’re writing this, the school year has officially commenced in PNG. Johan spent the beginning of January focusing on 9-Mile and Beretete school, which are the two closest schools to us.

We’ve appreciated seeing the 9-mile school board stepping up in taking responsibility for the running of the school. Johan could provide some direction on enrolment policies, and work with the board to ensure the teachers are feeling well supported in their roles.

Our visit to the school in Beretete village was (as always) a highlight, as this is where Evelyn spent the first seven years of her life. The meeting was a productive conversation – the leaders of the school have a strong vision for what they are building and we are excited to be a part of the work they are doing. We had to leave the meeting early as it was raining heavily and we could have run into issues on the road if we stayed longer. Although there was a lot of water on the road making some sections precarious, we were grateful we didn’t have to walk.

Last week, Johan flew to Lae on his own to meet with the school board at Living Water Christian School regarding enrolment policies, personnel management, and a number of other items. He stayed in the NE for a week, so he also spent a few days in Wantun village with the family who are responsible for starting Logos Glory school in Wantun. It was a productive time where they could finalise materials for their new school building (below, right). You can see the current school building made of bush material below, left. Although the teachers are achieving fantastic work in their current building, being in a more solid structure will help the students and teachers with the learning process. The pastor overseeing the school also commented that having a more professional looking building means he will be able to charge more from parents and build trust that this is an effective school.

 Although Johan had a productive week, unfortunately when the family returned home from dropping off Johan at the airport, Ada (our oldest) fell out the back of the car while exiting the vehicle. She broke her arm close to the elbow and needed surgery while spending two nights in hospital. Evelyn stayed in hospital with her while Phoebe and Matthew stayed at the Slaas, as Johan wasn’t due back for another week. While this was a stressful time, we really felt upheld and blessed by the prayers of our support system. We were grateful that our other two children could spend time with a family they felt comfortable with, and we received everything we needed in the hospital.

 Thankfully she was full of smiles and stories after waking up from surgery. In three weeks time she will be able to go back to the hospital and get the pins in her elbow removed. At our recent check-up the doctor said it was looking great and she was healing quickly. We are very thankful to our Father for His healing and protection.

The past week we were also able to buy a car that will fit the whole family. We are grateful God provided something suitable for our family and that we could find something for a reasonable price. The College was more than happy to lend us cars, but it is good to have something that is our own and makes transport more straightforward.

Thanks again for your ongoing love and support.

Johan, Evelyn and the kids

Prayer Points:

• Thankful – Being able to settle into our new home at the College.

• Thankful – Overall we have experienced good health and strength to begin our work here this year

• Thankful – Johan had a productive time in Lae and could strengthen relationships in the Northeast schools.  

• Request – Adaline’s healing may continue to go well and no complications may arise.