One of the Apal national translators stood outside our house with a scrap piece of wood. “Can I have this?” he asked. Requests aren’t unusual, but in this case the reason for the request was special. Jeffry wanted to make a communion tray for the church in another village. In a [...]]]> By Lindy Pate

One of the Apal national translators stood outside our house with a scrap piece of wood. “Can I have this?” he asked. Requests aren’t unusual, but in this case the reason for the request was special. Jeffry wanted to make a communion tray for the church in another village. In a week, they would be having a large baptism ceremony there.

Jeffry proceeded to find more scraps and ask politely if he could borrow a couple of tools. His aim was selfless and we were more than happy to oblige. I quickly went into the tool shed to find some less rotten pieces of wood and a can of assorted nails. I offered to use by drill to pre-drill the nail holes so that the smaller pieces of wood would not split and gave him a piece of sandpaper.

In all this, Jeffry acted like I was doing him a great favor by helping. Really, he was the one that was doing an act of service.

Praise God for people like Jeffry who are growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the 34 new believers who were baptized in January.

For a story about the baptism check out Kelsey Coker’s blog: http://seekingthefathersheart.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-life-took-root-in-samun.html

Lindy is a Bible translator.

It was 4:00 in the morning, and the only light that shone before me was the dim, fluorescent glow of my flashlight as we hiked through the jungle on our way to the village of Samu. This being my first time in Papua New Guinea, my feet were not well-accustomed to [...]]]> By Kelsey Coker

It was 4:00 in the morning, and the only light that shone before me was the dim, fluorescent glow of my flashlight as we hiked through the jungle on our way to the village of Samu. This being my first time in Papua New Guinea, my feet were not well-accustomed to the muddy, root-covered terrain. Every step across the muddy soil and the tree log bridges was slow and measured. We hiked for two hours with seemingly no sign of light, but we emerged from the jungle just in time to catch the sun’s first appearance on the horizon.

As we approached Samu, we trekked across the dry soil and the gray, scorched remains of tree trunks that framed the village gardens.  It was a place of new birth in the midst of cold, dark, death: tiny green leaves sprouted up in the midst of the desolation.  As we crossed through the garden, our feet hurried their pace to catch up to the rhythm of the songs sung by what seemed like a choir of angels.  The harmonies of hundreds of Papua New Guineans from dozens of villages filled the air, being lifted up as a fragrant offering before the Lord of heaven and earth.

When we got to the water’s edge, the sight was breathtaking.  There before me stood hundreds of Papua New Guineans singing praises to God as their friends and relatives prepared to be baptized.  A flower-adorned cross stood up above the water’s current beckoning for each to come and receive new life. Cries of “Oh, Papa!” pierced the morning air as the Spirit moved in the repentant hearts of the children of the King.

Jeffrie, a Papua New Guinean man from the village of Angguna, shared a message about the Great Commission and Jesus’ command to make disciples of every nation, baptizing them just as he was baptized by John in the Jordan. And, one by one, 34 Papua New Guineans followed his example and went down in the river, identifying with him in his death and being raised to new life.

With each baptism, I began to see that even the earth reflects the glory of the Lord every time He redeems one more child back to himself.  I began to realize that I had already seen a glimpse what the morning was to hold before I ever reached the water’s edge—just as morning dawned in this small village of Papua New Guinea, the tiny leaves in the desolate garden spread wide open to receive the sun’s light, and new life took root in Samu.

Kelsey is a PBT recruit who recently made an exploratory trip to PNG.

It snuck up on us.

Eunice Messersmith, financial leader of PBT-PNG for many years now also serving as our Director, was suddenly quite ill. As she was on her way to see a doctor in Australia, Eunice asked me to temporarily hold things together until she could get back. In God’s [...]]]> By William Butler

It snuck up on us.

Eunice Messersmith, financial leader of PBT-PNG for many years now also serving as our Director, was suddenly quite ill. As she was on her way to see a doctor in Australia, Eunice asked me to temporarily hold things together until she could get back. In God’s wisdom and grace, she never returned.

At the urging of our Acting Director, I continued in the finance manager role until the next meeting of all of the missionaries in January 2011. Prior to the meeting, my colleagues asked if I would consider continuing on while a replacement was found. Wow, big question! Our plans for the year were focused on continuing the progress of the previous two years toward the completion of the Waran New Testament. I knew accepting this role would slow down the progress. I also expected my wife might not be too happy with this change. But we both knew that the next few months would be critical for PBT and would be extremely difficult without someone in the financial role. Faced with a two diverging tracks that would pull us in opposing directions, we took it to the Lord for his wise counsel. In doing so we found peace. Even though it was off the track we had wanted to follow with the Waran New Testament, the Lord gave us both peace with filling the finance role for a time.

A year later we are still here. We really didn’t expect to still be on this track, but that and still is in the Lord’s hands. And we still have peace with being here even though the desire to see the Waran New Testament completed has not diminished.

In the intervening months the Lord has given me a new perspective. Though what we are currently doing seems drastically different than translation and going off in a new direction, it isn’t. We came to PNG to do what the Lord wanted us to do and right now that is manage finances. Our translation track led seamlessly to the finance one and in the Lord’s timing will lead us back to translation. As one author has described it, these are just the most recent steps of a “long obedience in the same direction.” Nothing sneaks up on the Lord.

William and Robin Butler are serving among the Waran language group and is the  branch finance manager.

We met Patrick during our recent survey of the Anem and Amara languages in West New Britain Province. He lives in Mosiliki, an Anem speaking village, though he actually grew up nearby in Karaiai. When he was still young, he left his home to go to school in Kimbe, the nearest [...]]]> By Brian Paris

We met Patrick during our recent survey of the Anem and Amara languages in West New Britain Province. He lives in Mosiliki, an Anem speaking village, though he actually grew up nearby in Karaiai. When he was still young, he left his home to go to school in Kimbe, the nearest town. After finishing school, he went on to become an assistant to the Australian police chief in Kimbe. When Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975, Patrick was in a position to be one of the leaders of the new police force. He worked as an officer for 20 years, before finally returning to the Anem area and retiring in Mosiliki.

One of the first things we learned about the Anem people is their high regard for knowledge. Knowledge is viewed as a medium of power, and as such is coveted. During several long conversations, Patrick expressed a desire for us to connect him with ways to gain medical knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. Despite our first impression, we found that his drive to learn did not come from a heart seeking power. It came from a discontentment that resides deep inside of him. The only relief he believes he can get is through more knowledge.

When Brian asked Patrick about his faith, he immediately asserted that he was a Christian. However, as Brian shared his own faith with Patrick, he realized that Patrick does not really know Jesus. That is the knowledge he is seeking and not finding; the source of his discontentment. It is sometimes frustrating to be a surveyor and faced with situations that we feel so helpless in. There were so many truths we wanted to share with Patrick about the Christ we know, but without an established relationship our words fall on deaf ears. This experience brought home for us the importance of dedicated missionaries going and living with people who do not know the gospel. Please pray for Patrick and pray for all the missionaries you know working wherever they are and doing whatever they do, so people like Patrick can see Jesus.

Brian and Hannah Paris are sociolinguistic surveyors serving an internship with SIL.

2011 was the 400th anniversary of the completion of the King James Bible, the most widely read English translation ever produced. Now that 2012 has begun, I thought it would be interesting to research a little more about the history of Bible translation in my tok ples, or vernacular language, English. [...]]]> By Laura Roberts

2011 was the 400^th anniversary of the completion of the King James Bible, the most widely read English translation ever produced. Now that 2012 has begun, I thought it would be interesting to research a little more about the history of Bible translation in my tok ples, or vernacular language, English. I am truly blessed as an English speaker, because I have many translations of the Bible available to me.

The first entire translation of the Bible in English was completed by John Wycliffe, an English priest, in the 1380’s. During the time of the Reformation, men such as William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale worked to make the Bible available to the English-speaking world. Then in 1604, King James I of England commissioned a committee of fifty men to create a revision of earlier Bible translations. The King James or Authorized Version was completed in 1611. (World Book Encyclopedia, 1986, vol. 2, pgs. 222 c-d)

In recent times, a plethora of English translations have been produced. This morning I went on a Christian bookstore’s website and found over twenty translations and paraphrases for sale, and I’m sure that there are many more available (www.christianbook.com). I am grateful for the access we have to God’s Word in English, especially since English is so widely spoken. However, it grieves me that there are so many people in the world that do not have even one translation of the Bible in their language. How can a person really know Jesus well without access to His Word? We have been blessed in the English-speaking world. It is time for us to bless others with access to the Word of God. That is why we do what we do in Pioneer Bible Translators.

Laura is a teacher for missionary children.

Yuwolim is my hero.  He doesn’t even realize it. He is a man of incredible faith. Inspiring faith.  Humbly, he considers it normal to trust God for all things, despite severe testing.

A few years ago, Yuwolim’s son, Jonah, began having multiple daily seizures.  We flew Yuwolim & Jonah to a [...]]]> By Rhonda Hayward

Yuwolim is my hero.  He doesn’t even realize it. He is a man of incredible faith. Inspiring faith.  Humbly, he considers it normal to trust God for all things, despite severe testing.

A few years ago, Yuwolim’s son, Jonah, began having multiple daily seizures.  We flew Yuwolim & Jonah to a large hospital. The seizures continued.  Yuwolim tells the story: “We went to the hospital and got some medicine, but it didn’t help Jonah at all, so we came back to the village. I was very confused, ‘What should I do?’ I felt God saying to me, ‘You must not worry, but focus on me instead.’ So I released Jonah to God, to do with Jonah as He wanted.  I realized that life or death were good in Jesus. Some people wanted to work magic by calling on the spirit’s aid to heal Jonah. I said, ‘No. God is the one caring for Jonah. Why would I go to someone else for help?’

Yuwolim & others kept praying for Jonah, but for over two years, the seizures continued unabated, with continued pressure to call in a shaman. Yuwolim adamantly refused & stood firm in his faith. Medicine was eventually found to help the seizures. We continue to pray for complete healing.

Yuwolim’s wife, Siliben, testifies, “God has cared for us—in good and hard times.  He has helped and provided for us in many ways.  We are never short or in need.  He is so very big and good.  We are not afraid. God is always with us”.

Steve & I have seen God answer prayers for healing. But another equally precious answer to prayer is faithfulness in the midst of trials. We have prayed for years that the Tay mature and become strong Christians, living life victoriously in God instead of in constant fear of Satan and his forces. God is answering that prayer powerfully in the life of Yuwolim and his family.

Join us in praising the Lord for Yuwolim’s strong witness. And pray for continued trust in God & healing for Jonah.

Steve and Rhonda are serving among the Tay language group in Bible translation.

Day in the life of Emily wearing her  buyer-shipper (person who takes orders from teams living in the village, runs around town to buy items, and ships them off via plane, helicopter, boat, or car)hat.

(7:30 a.m.) I had it all planned out. I was going to go into the office [...]]]> By Emily Hinebauch

Day in the life of Emily wearing her  buyer-shipper (person who takes orders from teams living in the village, runs around town to buy items, and ships them off via plane, helicopter, boat, or car)hat.

(7:30 a.m.) I had it all planned out. I was going to go into the office early put all the items to send out to Samban on the table ready to load, boss the radio sked, run to the Chemist for the last minute medicine order, send an office colleague to the market for the big market order and make the last dash to the store for eggs and bread.  No biggie.

All items on the table ready to load-check- (8:00 a.m.).

Boss radio sked,-check- but while bossing radio sked I learn that my loading for the flight going to Samban is contingent upon the expiry dates on the fuel, the person in the bush is going to check the dates and send an email with them before the flight is due to depart from Madang-check-(8:30 a.m.).

Send a colleague to the market, check, she is sent off (8:30 a.m.).

Run to Chemist-check- quick and painless, actually easier than normal (8:45 a.m.).

Return, discover I need to ready some food for a patient who is in town for a treatment because my colleague hasn’t returned from the market to do this-done- (9 a.m.).

The office colleague returns with the news that the major market is closed down.  Still need to find K40 of potatoes.  Brainstorm, okay let go check out two other markets outside of town, still have a bit of time before the flight (9:15 a.m.).

Get in the car and drive out to other markets, no luck.  Drive back to town and discover a lady on the side of the major market selling potatoes.  Okay, acquired K40 of potatoes (10:00 a.m.).

Now to find some onions, run to the closest store (a block away) to check, none.  Remember I need bread and eggs, run to other store for bread and eggs and check for onions there (10:30 a.m.).

On my way to the store I get a phone call from logistics saying, ‘you need to come back now, plane is ready to load we need to get to the hangar.’ Okay, arrange to have the other truck start loading the cargo I had previously set out for loading and grab the eggs and bread from the store.  Hurry back to the office; check my email to see if we received any news on the expiry dates, no news.  Load 384kg of cargo in the truck, thankful for teammate’s major help in this as I finish packing up the eggs and bread and grab the cargo list, knowing I will have to take some kilos off because we didn’t have confirmed expiry dates.  Off to the hangar we go (11:00 a.m.).

Arrive at the hanger; pilot says 375 kilos can go.  Great, only have to take off 8 kilos, easy.  Phew.  Get everything situated on the cart to load into the plane, than the pilot comes back saying that we have to take off 53 more kilos because we were not able to get the expiry dates.  Alright, rearrange some things pull of more boxes, 323 kilos ready to go to Samban (12:00 p.m.).

All in all, it went relatively closed to the plan.  Didn’t for see the market closure or the need for expiry dates on the fuel drums in Samban.

Emily serves as the Scripture Use Specialist along with many other areas of ministry.

While in Papua New Guinea GOOD HEALTH is of major importance to each of us but especially to those of us on the older end of time.  We are fortunate to have a wonderful Australian doctor just 3 blocks from our office but he is limited in his services to us [...]]]> By Jacque Harper

While in Papua New Guinea GOOD HEALTH is of major importance to each of us but especially to those of us on the older end of time.  We are fortunate to have a wonderful Australian doctor just 3 blocks from our office but he is limited in his services to us by poor laboratory and x-ray facilities in our town and often even by medications NOT being available. Depending on his findings he often must resort to advising us to get to Australia or our home country to get further diagnosis or treatment.

Bob fell and broke his elbow 9/14. Fortunately the x-ray machine was working and the E.R. had plaster for an elbow cast.

Health is an area where we have constant opportunities to depend on our faithful healer, Jehovah Rapha, in PNG. It is also an area where Satan likes to attack us whenever possible to slow down or destroy the work of Bible Translation as well as other ministries. We are on guard to prevent as much injury and illness as possible and get back in shape quickly. Despite all our efforts Bob and I have had several more doctors visits than ever this year in PNG and because of them we ended up returning to America for a thorough checkup in November and December 2011. We could not afford to have our illnesses cause any long lasting effects to keep us from the work God has called us to in PNG. Our doctors have given us the all clear, 30,000+ mile checkup and we are ready to return to PNG in early January 2012. For that we really praise our LORD.

During our first terms in PNG we had used the MIGHTY Papaya (Pawpaw) for several minor ailments and it did a great job. It was not able to help us as much during this period, however.  Here is some very interesting information about it for you.

Bob and Jacque serve in the area of Technical Services and assist in many more areas of the branch.

Laptops

National translators in this isolated island nation are working to translate the Scriptures into their own mother tongues. As they work on Scripture drafting, they [...]]]> Every year during this time, Pioneer Bible Translators has a special gift giving opportunity available. This year the branch in Papua New Guinea has two gift options.

Laptops

National translators in this isolated island nation are working to translate the Scriptures into their own mother tongues. As they work on Scripture drafting, they write out rough drafts of the text in notebooks. Laptop computers will empower them to type in the text and then use translation software to edit and check for accuracy.

$1000 per laptop (3 are needed)

Curriculum

You can be a part of enabling children in Papua New Guinea to read, so that when they receive the Scripture in their language group they will be able to hide it in their hearts! This curriculum will provide literacy teachers with detailed lesson plans in three languages.

$250.00 for each language
$750.00 for all three language groups

You can follow this link to donate for any of these items: Give Now

Ede. Na mube kub kaiudi nono güre sinoyeregün. Bangar nub yanim Jisas yanübaue. Nu eregeam büreregeaga. Bangar Keriab Kekia Asaub Nono güdi yanübaweregen. Bangar Keriabüde, oyebeb Devit sibe erekokayau difereregeaga. Luk 1.31-32

Listen. You will be body heavy and you will carry one baby boy. Thus you will call his [...]]]> By Chris Urton

Ede. Na mube kub kaiudi nono güre sinoyeregün. Bangar nub yanim Jisas yanübaue. Nu eregeam büreregeaga. Bangar Keriab Kekia Asaub Nono güdi yanübaweregen. Bangar Keriabüde, oyebeb Devit sibe erekokayau difereregeaga.
Luk 1.31-32

Listen. You will be body heavy and you will carry one baby boy. Thus you will call his name Jesus. He will be bigman. Thus they will call him Son of God Very On Top. And God will make him a very bigman like ancestor David.

Back Translaton of Luke 1.31-32 in the Sob Language

It hardly seems possible that a year ago we were doing a consultant check of the first few chapters of Luke in the Sob language. After we finished the consultant check we worked hard to get a booklet done of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. The booklet followed the litergical readings for the week leading up to Christmas Day.

We distributed 50 copies of the booklet around the village. The Sob people could then read or listen to someone else read the Christmas story according to Luke in their heart language.

Please pray that we can remain strong in finishing the book of Luke so they can have a fuller understanding of Jesus.

Chris and Lori Urton has serving among the Sob language group in Bible translation.