Eunice Messersmith, director of Pioneer Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, 8 September in Brisbane, Australia. She was attended by her husband of 46 years, Jan, and their son Hans. Daughter-in-law Tamara and granddaughters Pippa and Audrey Rose remained at their home in Canada. Jan and Hans were also accompanied by a number of close friends in Brisbane.

Eunice and Jan have served with the PNG Branch since 1981. Eunice has served as chief financial officer from the beginning and Director of Support Services for over 20 years. Since the beginning of this year she has served as our Director. In addition to her work with PBT, Eunice also filled major roles in community organizations including Madang Chamber of Commerce and the Madang chapter of the Country Women’s Association. She considered PNG her home and was a permanent resident here. She was a hard worker, characterized by her effervescent smile and tremendous capacity to give unconditional love. She and Jan had a wide-ranging ministry among the expats who passed through Madang as well as to the many Papua New Guineans whose lives they touched.

Please pray for Jan, Hans and their extended families as well as all of PBT as we grieve. As you can well imagine, Eunice’s death leaves a huge hole in all our lives.