Every language, receiving God’s Word...

This was our prayer, as we walked through the Goroka cultural show on Independence Day weekend: that every language would receive God’s Word. It never strikes us more completely than when we see so many language groups together in one place, all in traditional costumes, singing in their heart languages, in a chaotic and visually stunning array. We talked with many of the performers, and when they posed with us for a photo, we told them their picture would remind us to pray for them. It is the individuals we meet who inspire us to serve here, knowing their eternal destiny is at stake. This is why we are excited for the upcoming Bible dedications; knowing faces and names of people in these language groups makes it real to us. And why we were so glad to see many people coming to the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) booth to receive audio-Bibles in already published languages, downloaded to their smart phones. Technology is making it easier to get the Word out, but ultimately it is still the Holy Spirit who is changing and transforming lives.

Above: Kathy and Scott, making new friends at the Goroka show.

Happy 42nd Independence Day!

It was great to see so many students, staff & teachers celebrate PNG Independence Day by wearing traditional costumes and PNG colors. We gathered for a photo and sang the national anthem, and then our PNG staff treated us all to a “mumu” feast of traditionally prepared foods: yum!

Photo credit: Bob Noble (yes, that’s Kathy up in the back row!)

Prayer Points

• Papua New Guinea: Pray for a spiritual revival in the Aiyura Valley and throughout PNG.

• Bible translation: Pray for wisdom for the participants in the Discover Your Language course, learning grammar and structure to help them in the translation process.

• Our roles in PNG: Praise that the first term of school was successfully completed. Pray for wisdom as Scott participates in a multi-mission meeting on Crisis Management in Goroka.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for the Bruners, who dedicated the Fataleka New Testament in the Solomon Islands this month.

• God’s provision: Praise for how God is providing for our needs, even allowing Scott’s computer to be repaired!

Six great reasons to celebrate...

We rejoice with the translation teams who are completing their New Testament (NT) translations and dedicating them within the next 12 months. It is humbling to think of the decades of love, work and sacrifice that have been poured in, and how God will use His Word among these languages to bring more people to salvation. Please be in prayer for the dedications of the Barok NT in New Ireland on September 8, the Fataleka NT in the Solomon Islands on September 16, the Kasua NT in Southwest PNG on October 26, the Menya NT in Morobe on February 23, the Baruga NT in Oro province on June 10 and the Doromu-Koki NT in Central province on September 16, 2018. It has been a privilege to get to know these translators and hear their stories of God’s faithfulness to them and the people they’ve served all these years. This morning, we prayed for our friends the Vargas family, as they were commissioned and are beginning this process by allocating to the DioDio language group near Alotau. God’s Word is still going out to every tribe and tongue and it is an honor to serve Him in this endeavor.

Above  Pat Whitehead and her husband Carl have served for over 4 decades with the Menya people. They were prayed over at a recent church service after revealing the first printed copy of the Menya New Testament. The joy in Pat’s tears as she held the fruit of their labors spoke volumes about the journey God has brought them through. Please pray for the impact of the Word of God among the Menya!

Serving God in IT...

Scott has been dealing with a host of technology issues lately. His desktop computer died and was out of commission for 9 days. In the interim, he used his personal laptop until it, too, stopped working. We often take technology for granted until it fails. Thankfully, God has sent people here with a variety of skills, including Information Technology (IT). Have you ever wondered how your skills could be used in ministry? Pray and ask where God can use you!

Prayer Points

• Papua New Guinea: Pray for peace in the Aiyura Valley and throughout PNG.

• Bible translation: Pray for wisdom and understanding for the participants in the Hebrew course currently being held in Ukarumpa until September 12.

• Our roles in PNG: Praise that the new school year is off to a good start, including Scott’s Self Defense class. Pray for wisdom as Scott also serves the security needs in Ukarumpa.

• PNG missionaries: Pray for a good transition for the Vargas family as they begin the DioDio Bible translation in Alotau.

• God’s provision: Praise for how God is providing for our needs through His people and thank you to all of our partners!

New Creative Ways to Serve...

Support staff in Ukarumpa can serve in many unique ways. Not only is Kathy back to teaching a new school year at Ukarumpa International School (UIS), but she has gotten Scott to join her! Scott is now teaching a high school elective course in personal security at UIS. The class runs for one semester and covers risk management, combative theory, legal concepts, basic combative skills, how criminals select victims, basic criminological theory, interpersonal violence and stalking, residential security concepts, travel security, campus security, low risk/high consequence incidents and personal emergency planning. Scott’s hope is that his students will use these principles to make wiser decisions, both here in PNG and once they return to their passport counties, and have some basic skills they can use to defend themselves if needed. Many of our students return to their home countries without their families and attend college or university, so empowering them is a blessing. Even a fellow teacher wanted to audit the course, and Scott was encouraged! 

Above: Scott is teaching his Self Defense class at UIS. He is using a combination of both lecture and practice of physical skills to prepare his students for the unexpected. This is yet another unconventional way we can serve in Bible translation and be a blessing to those around us.