Have you ever wondered exactly what it is we're doing here? We support
the work of Bible translation by using our skills, as do nearly 300
others here in PNG. Here, for your benefit is the last 2 years in
summary (this is meant to be brief, but there are pages of information
for each bullet item)
Publications (22 linguistics, 10-sociolinguistics,13 -literacy,
5-enthnomusicology/anthropology, 163 Vernacular works including:
Bariaia New Testament translation
Haruai NT
Maiwa NT
Ono NT revision
Pele-Ata NT
Seimat NT
Madak NT
Keyagana NT revision and much of the OT
Agarabi NT and Audio NT
Dedua Audio NT
Maia Mini Bible (and Audio NT in progress)
Vernacular Works, Literacy Materials - 359
Training - a lot of training of nationals to do Bible translation work
Language Software and tech (INSPIRE - low power computing project)
Building relationships and partnerships in the country
Engaging the local churches to use Scripture in their heart language
Leadership development
Literacy - more opportunities in churches and schools than we can respond to
New training courses added (LLEAD)
6 Surveys done gathering data on 20 languages
Translation - 47 consultants checked 1917 chapters of Scripture in 65
different languages in the last 2 years.
7 teams graduated translation training in Bougainville. 3 of those teams
were already able to print a complete book (Mathew, Mark, Genesis). All
6 languages were able to record audio chapters for use on the local
radio station, as well as an oral story teller to use in the villages.
Oren-Maiwa NT dedication in April, 2012. 600 copies sold.
Bwaidoka NT funding completed, so they can finish that NT.
12 languages in MILNE Bay Province are 68% done with translating the Old
Testament Panorama (these are VITAL students, nationals doing
translation work with training)
Sudest people have Romans, 1 Cor. 2Cor, Galations and Titus checked
ready to publish.
73% of the Doromu-Koki NT is drafted.
Baruga NT 3 books checked, 60% done with NT.
Computer training and Literacy in Gapapaiwa language (after the NT was
dedicated 3 years ago).
2 Dialects of Kaugel loaded on audio players
Kamano-Kave NT is 32 chapters away from complete revision (55% checked)
Pinai-Hagahai, Madang and Enga Province We have been greatly encouraged
over the past two years about how the four Gospels and Acts in audio
format have been received. By means of the small, solar-powered
"MegaVoice" players, the Gospel has gone out to the most remote corners
of the language group. Many people listen to it daily, have become
Christians, joined the various churches and have experienced changed lives.
Vitu - 68% of the NT is checked, and 15 letters of the NT have seen
progress.
Barai NT dedicated in April 2012.
Mandara NT published in May 2010 and being used actively in church
services (this is huge, the Bible isn't always used in church services,
thus our role in church engagement of Scripture)
ATA NT dedicated April 2011 - 700 copies sold.
Ko language - people excited about megavoice players.
NITI (multi language project) 18 titles published.
Ura - Luke Video in January 2013 boosted literacy. 12 literacy books
published.
Siar-Lak language - Luke dedicated and Matthew nearly drafted.
Bola language -On June 25th, 2011 celebrated the completion of the Bola
NT, Pentateuch, Joshua, Ruth and Jonah with the Bola people near Kimbe,
WNBP. It was the culmination of 19 years work. It was a joyous
celebration, but since Aloysius, their only Bola translator, had died
the previous November, the turnout at the dedication was not what they
had hoped. Bible sales neared the 300 mark, but with 4500 Bibles
printed, there is a lot of work to do now to distribute them.
Bau Language - this group of PNGians have struggled but continue to
translate, having no ex-pat to help guide them. Still they make
progress, and are taking local responsibility (that's huge). We're
working more towards training nationals to translate into their own
language. They will be audio recording Mark in a week's time.
The list keeps on going, it is more than twice this long. The reality is
that work is getting done. It's never as fast as we'd like. Often times
people have to take breaks to raise funds, treat their health, care for
family, battle obstacles in the village. It seems like these projects
are always running into low-staffing issues, or other obstacles. But
when you get this biennium report, you realize.. YES a lot did happen in
2 years. We're constantly struggling against the lack that we have, and
yet, God is doing something, books are getting translated. Progress is
being made. It is comforting to know that we support this work, as do
you, and that because we know it takes a LONG time and endurance, we're
glad we are here, and we're glad that God sees the big picture. It is
nice to get a big-picture glance from time to time. Each line item above
(and it's only a fraction of the report) has dozens of stories of
heartbreak, struggle, and triumph associated with them. This life is
like a roller coaster, and you really learn to celebrate when a work is
done. And yet.... the work is never truly done. Our prayer is that the
work we do, begins a new work, in the people of PNG.
