Dear Friends and Family,
Much has happened in the last month, as Nathan and I have worked here in Papua New Guinea.
Apal Epistle Checking:
My PBT colleague Martha Wade has ministered in the Apal language group since 1984, analyzing the language, developing an alphabet and a literacy program, encouraging the church, and translating the Scriptures. The New Testatment is nearly finished in the Apal language. This last month I had the privilege of doing the final consultant check with Martha and the Apal team on 6 epistles: 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Peter, and 2 and 3 John. Right now William Butler is consultant checking 1 and 2 Timothy, James, and Philemon with them. In March Wes Beasley will consultant check the last book – the gospel of Matthew. Martha is planning to record the New Testament before publishing it. Praise God.
Lectionary typesetting software completed:
Nathan has spent this last month here in PNG working on software to typeset Lectionaries/Scripture Books. He has now completed it, and yesterday we printed out the first copy of a Lectionary (Aruamu Lectionary – Year C) using the software. The Aruamu translators will be proofreading this, and later in the year we will publish it, for use in 2016 in Aruamu churches. (Nathan plans for this software will be available to use with other languages in the future.) Praise God.
Aruamu US visas granted:
As you know, I have been walking in the direction of bringing 2 Aruamu translators, John Obnadum Igos, and Martin Ases, back to the US with me in early April, so that we can work together in Dallas for the next 6 months on checking Old Testament books. I am so thankful that John’s and Martin’s visas were granted this last Friday! God willing, 3 other teams of Aruamus will go to the US to work over the next 3 years, each team staying for 6 months at a time. One team would go in 2016, one in 2017, and one in 2018. By God’s grace, this should put us VERY close to the completion of the Old Testament checking. Praise God.
US Orientation Course:
As you can imagine, life in a Papua New Guinean village is VERY different from life in the US! So I have worked together with my PBT colleagues Jim and Joni Bliffen, Sharon Kozar, Robin Butler, as well as our co-worker from the Bible Translation association of PNG Ninau Ephraim (a Papua New Guinean who has spent time in the US), and also with Nathan to design and facilitate a “US Orientation Course.” This is to help the Aruamus who will travel to the US to know what to expect and be better equipped to handle cross cultural encounters that await them. What an adventure for them. Praise God.
Thank you SO much for your prayers and encouragement and support,
Blessings to you,
Marsha
(for Nathan, as well.)
