Enga NT Distribution

During our trip to Enga in March, we were able to spend a few days distributing the Enga New Testament. Joined by Sam Nutter (a mechanic with a vision for Scripture distribution), Malon Kenas (Distribution Coordinator), and Stanley Piokol (PNG Bible Translation Association Assistant Area Program Manager for the Highlands), we targeted churches in eastern Enga Province. We had not previously done much awareness in this part of the province. So we drove as far east as we could while still remaining in Enga Province and went from village to village, visiting every church we could find. We gave the pastor of each church a copy of the Enga-English New Testament along with the Enga New Testament audio Bible.

Giving a local pastor the Enga-English New Testament and audio

As we made our way from church to church, the pastors were grateful to receive the Enga Scriptures. We showed some pastors how to download the Enga Bible app, Enga Library app, and Enga Dictionary app from the Google play store, and we stopped in a couple of market areas to raise awareness for the Enga New Testament and make some sales. As we went along, we told the pastors that they could purchase additional copies at a particular Chinese-owned store in Wapenamanda. We did this in faith, because we hadn't actually been to the shop yet or asked the store owner if we could sell Enga New Testaments there. When we finally went to the store, the owner at first refused to sell them. But after Sam Nutter reminded him that it was an opportunity to make money, he told us that he would stock them but would only pay for them after they sold. We quickly agreed to this arrangement and stocked his store with some Enga New Testaments. In Wabag town, we had a better reception. Last summer Martha had sold a carton of Enga-English New Testaments to a Chinese-owned store where we often shop. When she went back to check on whether the New Testaments had sold, she discovered that they were sold out. The owner then bought five cartons of Enga New Testaments and five cartons of Enga-English New Testaments (160 in total). We were able to get the Enga Scriptures into a few other stores as well.

The store in Wabag town that bought 10 cartons of Enga New Testaments

After distributing Enga New Testaments in eastern Enga Province and in Wabag town, we set up a tent to do open air preaching in Wabag. Malon shared about the importance of Scripture, while I shared my testimony in Enga. I'm always thankful for an opportunity to share about how God has transformed my life, and a foreigner speaking Enga is always a draw for people to come listen. We were able to display the Enga Scriptures, which some people bought right then and there.

Malon sharing about the importance of Scripture in Wabag town

While we only had a few days to focus on distribution, it inspired me to somehow visit all of the churches in Enga Province so that we can give pastors a free copy in print and audio formats. This is a difficult task, and I am not quite sure how it could be fulfilled. Will you please pray with us for God to work beyond what Martha and I alone are capable of to see the Enga New Testament distributed far and wide throughout Enga Province? As always, we thank you for your support, as we could not do this without your partnership.

Bella is going to Taylor University!
Bella will be enrolling at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, this fall to study Elementary Education. Taylor was Bella's first choice, so we are excited that she gets to go there. Please pray for her as she says goodbye to her friends and her home in Papua New Guinea, and transitions to life in the United States.

Trauma Healing

In March a Scripture Use team went with us to Enga Province to put on a two-week Trauma Healing workshop. (We made it there and back safely. Thank you for your prayers!) Most people in Enga have experienced significant trauma due to tribal fighting, domestic violence, crime, substance abuse, disease, and/or other problems. The Trauma Healing Workshop takes people through multiple steps to bring their pain to the cross and find healing. At each step along the way, the participants listen to stories from Scripture along with stories from everyday life. They then answer questions about the stories, learning various strategies for dealing with trauma as well as strategies that don't work (such as pushing the pain down deep inside). As they go through each step, they always consider the question, Where was God?

The Enga Trauma Healing workshop participants

All the participants were given a copy of the Enga New Testament. Every day there were opportunities for the participants to practice reading Scripture in Enga. Longer portions were played from the audio recording of the Enga New Testament, while shorter portions were read by the participants themselves. As the course progressed and people got more and more practice, they became more comfortable with reading Scripture in their own language and discovering how the teachings of Jesus show us the road for experiencing healing from the trauma we have experienced in our lives.

Two participants reading the Enga New Testament during the workshop

To make the teaching come alive, the course leaders (most of whom were trained Papua New Guineans from other parts of the country) had the participants act out what they were learning in dramas. This really caught the attention of the participants and helped them understand the principles they were learning at a deeper level. One drama illustrated the importance of forgiveness by having a man tied up to another man who had hurt him and who he had not yet forgiven. The drama showed that, when you have not forgiven someone who has hurt you, you take them with you wherever you go because the anger and bitterness you carry is always with you. When he finally forgave the other man at the foot of the cross, the rope was untied and he was set free from the anger and bitterness that followed him wherever he went.

Drama about forgiveness setting us free from anger and bitterness

The workshop culminated with participants writing down their deep hurts and pains, putting them in a box, and then burning the box at the foot of the cross. On the day we wrote down our hurts and pains on pieces of paper and put them in the box, one older man named Mark shared a dream he had had the prior night. In the dream, a voice was telling him to "give the paper." Not knowing what this meant, he woke up one of his grandchildren to ask him if he needed paper for school. It was only when he came to the workshop the next day that he realized the voice in the dream was preparing him to give (that is, put) the paper containing his hurts and pains into the box so that it could be burned at the foot of the cross.

Mark with our friend and coworker Stanley

After everyone put their papers in the cardboard box, we all began worshiping the Lord by singing a song in Enga about bringing our worries and pains to Jesus. As we worshiped, we slowly walked out to a grassy area outside the church and got into a large circle. The cardboard box was placed at the foot of the cross and it was set on fire, burning up our hurts and pains as we gave them over to Jesus. As I (Adam) looked around, I saw many people getting teary-eyed as the significance of the moment overwhelmed them and they began to experience healing and freedom. God not only healed people from the wounds of trauma but also delivered people from sin. A member of the hosting church who had secretly been practicing witchcraft confessed his sin to the pastor, who then went with him to bury all the items he had been using to practice witchcraft.

The content of the workshop was completed in the first week, but most people returned for the second week to learn how to conduct the Trauma Healing workshop in their own communities. Four men were in attendance from Mulitaka, where the landslide had wiped out a community in 2024, making international news. What a blessing it was to see people applying the truth of Scripture, experiencing healing, and learning how to help others experience it as well. Thank you for your partnership with us in this work, which makes workshops like this possible.

Meet Stanley

We met Pastor Stanley at our branch conference almost a year ago. BTA, a Papua New Guinean Bible translation association, introduced their new staff members, and we were surprised that one of them was from Enga. It was fun to watch Stanley’s face when Adam greeted him in the Enga language. We soon learned that Stanley has a dynamic personality and is extremely motivated to promote the Enga New Testament. He joined us in Enga and was a great help with distribution during the various dedications last summer, and he has been instrumental in organizing the Foursquare church to host an upcoming trauma healing workshop (see below). The Foursquare church in Stanley’s area has also begun a yearlong Bible school. The leaders of this school made the decision that every student must begin the course with Enga literacy. This past month forty-four students began their Bible school course with learning to read the Enga New Testament. Stanley was very instrumental in making this happen. We are very thankful for Stanley’s determination and passion to see the Enga New Testament used. Please keep Stanley in your prayers as he continues to promote literacy and assist with distribution. Watch this short video of Stanley sharing his vision to see every pastor in Enga reading the Enga New Testament from the pulpit.

Pastor Stanley promoting the Enga Audio Bible

Consultant Checking of Genesis
The Enga translators continue to work on translating the Old Testament, and we currently have two Enga translators and two pastors staying in Ukarumpa for the consultant check of Genesis 26 through 50. This is the first consultant check in which the entire room is filled with only Papua New Guineans. The consultant is a Papua New Guinean and so are the checkers and translators. It is encouraging to see the Enga translators reach the point where they can operate a bit more independently, and it is exciting to see trained Papua New Guinean consultants checking translated portions independently.

Consultant Checking Genesis 26–50

Trauma Healing Workshop
You might remember that a few months back we had plans to hold a trauma healing workshop near Wabag, the capital of Enga Province. This course was canceled due to ongoing fighting. The course is rescheduled to take place in a new location during the last two weeks of March. It will be run by the Scripture Use team based here in Ukarumpa and will involve using the Enga New Testament. Adam and I have plans to travel to Enga to participate in the workshop, as well as check in on the distribution process for the Enga New Testament. However, over the last couple of days, we have heard reports that there are roadblocks and protests along the highway that we would travel on. Several vehicles have been destroyed.

Please pray that these conflicts would be resolved and that nothing would stop this course from happening. Pray that the roads would be clear and safe. Pray that Adam would have peace about driving there. Let me be clear: I am asking you to engage the heavenly realms. Get on your knees, post a note on your bathroom mirror, or leave one in your Bible. Ask your churches, small groups, and friends to pray over this. I do not believe that these conflicts on the road at this particular time are a coincidence. We hope to drive up on March 15 and return on March 29. If the Lord intends for us to go, He will make a way. Thank you for praying.

2024 Year in Review

A year ago, we sent out a newsletter with a list of prayer requests for 2024. We want to thank you for faithfully praying over these requests. Your prayers were felt, and I know they made a difference. Here is a brief update on our last year along with new prayer requests for 2025. We cannot do this work without you. Thank you for your prayers.

Jacob
It has almost been a year since we left Jacob at the airport curb on a dark, cold January morning. We left a letter for him that told him we had an army praying for him, and I believe an army truly has been praying for him. We are so thankful for how well he is doing and the growth we have seen in him over the last year. It is no easy thing to be an 18-year-old kid and have to say goodbye to your parents and siblings for 18 months.

After we left for PNG, Jacob spent five months in Costa Rica and had a successful experience serving with Push the Rock as an intern. He learned a lot of Spanish and developed strong relationships with his co-workers and host family and also enjoyed teaching and playing with the kids each day. In July he returned to the U.S. to live with his grandmother and went through another major transition as he started community college and began adjusting to life in the U.S. Jacob's first week of school brought on some anxiety, but after a few more weeks, he began to settle in and ended up doing really well in his classes. He has decided to continue community college and later transfer to a four-year school. He continues to work at Ace Hardware and play basketball at the local YMCA. We are incredibly proud of him.

Now that Jacob's schedule has changed, he has the opportunity to attend a local college group at a church. Please pray that he would develop strong friendships and connect with a community of faith around him. Pray that he would continue to do well in his courses and that he would love learning. Pray that God would give him clear direction for what kind of degree to pursue.

Jacob serving with Push the Rock in Costa Rica

Bella
Bella is in the middle of her senior year. She hit the ground running when she returned a year ago and has participated in sports, band, choir, theater, leading worship, work experience as a teacher’s helper, AP classes, and her latest event, hosting a couple of square-dancing nights. Bella has been accepted to several colleges and is now waiting for the financial aid packages to make her decision. Please pray that God will guide her decision and provide the financial aid she needs. Her first choice is Taylor University in Indiana, but she is praying that God will make it clear. Pray also for Bella to transition well to the U.S. Leaving Papua New Guinea and her friends will be extremely difficult. This is her home, and she has thrived here.

One of Bella's senior photos

Asher
Soon after returning to PNG last year, Asher began basketball season and made the A-team (varsity). This was a big deal since he was only in eighth grade. We are once again heading into basketball season, and Asher is very much looking forward to it. Pray that this season will be one in which he can grow in his skills, display humility, and build strong relationships with his teammates. Asher also started his first year of high school, and though math continues to be a struggle, he has done quite well. Pray that he would continue to adjust to high-school-level academics and strive to do his best.

Asher making a layup at a basketball tournament

Pray that all three of our children would seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Pray that they would seek to please God and not man, that they would not be influenced by this world but would be obedient followers of Christ. Pray that they would build relationships with people who spur them on to greater faith.

Adam
After working for twelve years straight to bring the translation of the Enga New Testament to fruition, Adam is now supporting the Enga translation team as they work more independently on the Old Testament. At the same time, Adam has taken on the role of Finance Office Manager. So many people have supported our translation work behind the scenes in so many ways! It only seems right for Adam to focus more of his time and energy in giving back to the Bible translation community by serving our organization in a way that supports other translation teams. Adam took over the Finance Office Manager role in the midst of a major transition in financial software when it became apparent that the person who was supposed to be coming to serve as Chief of Finance would be delayed indefinitely. Please pray for him as he tackles this big job that has a huge learning curve.

Adam being congratulated by the governor of Enga Province

Martha
I returned to teaching in July, and I am currently teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth grade English. It has been a lot to juggle, but I love the students here. Ukarumpa is an amazing place to teach. The class sizes are small, and the students are attentive and eager to learn. What I love most is that I get to openly share about my faith. Pray that I will be intentional in pointing my students to Jesus. Last year, I asked for prayer for being able to sleep at night. Though there are still nights when I wake up, they are much fewer, and I am most often able to fall back to sleep. I am learning to pray instead of worry, and that has helped tremendously. It also helps to have my Kindle next to my bed so that I can read instead of just lying there letting my brain go to places it shouldn’t go.

Martha serving as a community group leader for her former students

The Enga Bible Translation Project
We thank God that this year we were able to dedicate the New Testament and begin distribution. The bulk of our newsletters this year share the stories, so we won’t repeat them. We are very thankful for all that God has done, and we trust that God will continue to work in the lives of the Enga people. Please continue to pray that there would be an end to tribal fighting in Enga. Pray that the message of forgiveness and loving your enemies will be preached, believed, and lived out in their lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit will do a mighty work Enga Province and that the leaders will seek to be Christlike, choosing to honor peace and humility over power, wealth, and vengeance. Pray also that the Enga New Testament will be read and used, especially by church leaders. Pray that the fourteen Engans who attended a recent literacy course would use what they learned to teach others how to read in Enga and develop reading fluency.

The Enga translators continue to work on translating the Old Testament. We are excited that they are experienced enough to be working independently. Pray that God would grant them wisdom and stamina as they work. Pray also for protection over them and their families.

Two Enga men participating in the Enga Literacy course

Ukarumpa and Bible Translation in PNG
2024 has been a remarkable year for Bible Translation in Papua New Guinea. The Enga New Testament was only one of ten New Testaments that were dedicated this year. Though this is exciting, there are still roughly 200 more languages in need of Scripture in their own language. Some languages have people who have requested help and have been waiting for many years for someone to come.

The missionary center where we live, called Ukarumpa, plays a huge role in helping to produce Scripture in the local languages. In addition to housing missionaries and many Papua New Guinean employees, there is a large training center where Papua New Guineans take courses in translation, Greek, Hebrew, Literacy, Bible background, and more. In addition to translation, there are Scripture Use courses that are held all around the country. The planning, training, and development of the courses all happen here in Ukarumpa. There is a clinic here that serves Papua New Guineans as well as missionaries. There is a store, a recording studio, an auto shop, a print shop, a construction and maintenance center, all of which are needed by the missionaries who serve in translation, literacy, and Scripture Use. Maintaining this center is crucial to continuing the work of Bible translation.

Right now the center is at a critical stage. We have written about our serious need for teachers and administrators for the school, but we also need construction and maintenance people, aviation mechanics, finance, human resources, and IT people. Please pray that more people would have a heart for Bible translation and Scripture Use in the country of Papua New Guinea and that they would be willing to come and serve. If you are interested in serving in PNG or you know someone who might be, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to talk with you about serving in Bible translation in Papua New Guinea.

Look for the Light

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving with four other families yesterday. Bella and Asher finished up their sports seasons (girls’ basketball and boys’ soccer). Bella’s team ended up winning a tournament, which was super exciting since it was a first for her. Bella was also in a one-act play, helped lead worship last Sunday, and hosted a square dance party for her 18th birthday. (Bella’s birthday is on December 23, so we often celebrate in November.) Adam loved relearning all the square dance songs from his childhood and teaching them to the youth here. The kids had a blast and did a great job.

Bella performing in a one-act play

On top of all that, fourteen Enga speakers spent nine days here in Ukarumpa taking a literacy course. The students learned how to teach the Enga alphabet, to read Enga more fluently, to create and implement reading activities such as crossword puzzles and reading games, and to ask comprehension questions. Each student gave a presentation in which they demonstrated how they would use the activities they had learned to teach others how to read Enga. The course ended with a presentation of certificates and Adam sharing the meaning behind the English metaphor the pen is mightier than the sword, in which he emphasized the power of ideas that are written on paper to ultimately overcome the seemingly non-stop violence in Enga Province.

The Enga literacy course participants

Enga Province continues to experience fighting. Just yesterday Adam received the news that one of our translators had to flee his village because some men from their tribe had engaged in fighting. It is no longer safe for him in his village or in town. It seems like it never ends, and sometimes it feels completely hopeless. But we know that no one is without hope. Our prayer is that the Enga people will put their hope and trust in God, who has something better to offer them than constant payback killings and the burning and destruction of homes and churches. Please pray for the church leaders who came to the literacy course to use the knowledge they gained to teach others to read the Enga Bible and use it in their churches. Pray also for peace. The people of Enga are weary of the violence and tension.

A few nights ago, as I (Martha) drove around the center, I was surprised to see various houses decorated with Christmas lights. There are no decorated stores here to remind us starting in early October that Christmas is coming. The days are long and warm as we enter the summer season here, and nothing feels like Christmas to me. So, the brightly decorated Christmas trees in the windows and the twinkle lights strung along the verandas felt like a shock to my system, and not a good one. Instead of joy and excitement, which is what Christmas should feel like, I felt a heaviness in my chest—a sensation of dread. The last Christmas I spent here was hard. This time two years ago we had just gotten the news that Adam’s dad had pancreatic cancer. A few days later Adam left for the U.S to say goodbye to his father. We spent Christmas apart, grieving and stunned by a loss no one expected. I tried to make the best of it here without Adam, but a terrible sickness swept through us all. Though we hoped and prayed we would be through it in time to spend Christmas day with friends, the sickness culminated in Asher having a 104-degree fever on Christmas day.

I think everyone has a Christmas or two they would rather forget, but that’s easier said than done. I wondered how I was going to fake Christmas joy this year, but I didn’t have to wonder long. There is nothing I love better than perusing a book list, and I found myself perusing a book list from a blog I subscribe to—an Advent book list. All I really needed to read were the titles, and I felt the weight lift—titles like God With Us and Watch for the Light. All of a sudden, I remembered that all I have to do is look for the Light. I received that advice during a Christmas Chapel at Azusa Pacific University when I was nineteen years old, and it has served me well—when I remember it.

I always have good intentions about making Christmas about Jesus, but it never actually happens to the extent I would like. It is always more about the stuff under the tree and trying to get my house in PNG to smell like a Christmas tree with the one candle I brought from the U.S. I’ll probably fail again and get distracted by all the things I am supposed to do to make our lives more Christmasy. But this year I have two things going for me. One, I hardly have anything to put under the Christmas tree. I didn’t bring gifts here this time since the kids don’t really know what they want anyway. The most exciting gift Bella and Asher will get are giant containers of Nutella that we were able to buy at another mission center two hours away. Don’t feel sorry for them. Trust me, they will love it. They have enough. We all have enough. The second thing I have going for me is this heavy ache in my chest, because it makes me look for the Light. I’m thankful for the heavy ache. I’m thankful for anything that compels me to speak the name of Jesus. What a beautiful gift that draws me nearer to the God of peace, love, and mercy!

As I sit here trying to think of what to write next, I can see your faces—all the people we’ve known over a lifetime. How I would love to gather you in my living room and tell you how much you mean to us! We are so thankful that you have walked this journey with us and that we ever had the privilege of doing life with you. We would love to grab your hand and tell you Merry Christmas, to stand next to you and light a candle at the Christmas Eve service, to serve alongside you in the old, carpeted gym at Covina Assembly, to sit next to you on Christmas morning unwrapping gifts or helping you wash dishes at the kitchen sink after a meal of ham, mashed potatoes, and pie. You are loved and missed more than you know, and we feel it strongly this time of year.

I don’t know where you are on the Christmas joy spectrum. Maybe you’re the one surrounded with twinkle lights and bright red bows, sitting with a cup of hot chocolate while watching your favorite Christmas movie; or maybe you’re just white knuckling it through the holidays. Either way, look for the Light, for unto us a child is born.

Merry Christmas dear friends and family!

I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in me will remain in darkness.
John 12:46

Old Testament Translation

Now that the Enga New Testament has been published and dedicated, many people are asking if we will translate the Old Testament into Enga as well. The answer is that the Enga translation team has already been working on the Old Testament for a few years now. In fact, the team has already drafted eighteen Old Testament books! In October, the team had the first 25 chapters of Genesis checked by a consultant. The remaining 25 chapters are scheduled to be checked in early 2025.

Checking Genesis 1–25

Promotion and Distribution
In the past, the distribution of New Testament translations in Papua New Guinea was restricted to transporting physical hard copies to remote destinations. However, thanks to technological advances, we are now using a variety of promotional strategies to distribute New Testaments in electronic formats to people we may never meet face to face. Watch the video below to learn about the innovative strategies we are using to promote and distribute the Enga New Testament

Two More Dedications

In August we had the opportunity to hold two more dedication events for the Enga New Testament. The first event took place on August 10 in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Although Port Moresby is nowhere near Enga Province, the capital city is full of Enga speakers. For example, the day before the dedication, I went to a mobile phone store to get a SIM card. I began speaking with the employee only to find out that he was from Enga. When I showed him the Enga Bible app, he said, “Yes, I have that app already on my phone.”

The dedication was hosted on the outskirts of the city by the Christian Apostolic Fellowship (CAF) church. We were grateful to have the SoCal Network Assemblies of God Missions Director, Dan Campbell, with us for the dedication, along with his son Andy, who is my coworker and friend. Soon after we arrived at the dedication event, reporters from National EMTV News arrived and did an interview with me while also getting video footage as we were getting things set up.

Engan pastors from many different denominations came to the event along with many church members. Although it was not a part of the program, the attendees were so moved by the efforts of the Enga translators that they decided to take up an offering to show their appreciation for the translation work. At the conclusion of the dedication ceremony, there was a long line of people waiting to buy copies of the Enga New Testament. Many people bought multiple copies to give to friends and family, and the printed editions ended up being much more popular than the audio editions (presumably because people in Port Moresby have a higher level of literacy).

When I got back to the hotel and turned on EMTV news that night, I was happy to see that they ran a three-minute segment about the Enga New Testament dedication, which you can see here.

Enga pastors at the Port Moresby dedication

Kompiam
Kompiam is a remote government station located in the Kompiam-Ambum district of Enga Province. Due to persistent tribal conflicts in the district, the road going to Kompiam has not been safe to travel. Consequently, we did not include Kompiam in our original list of locations to dedicate the Enga New Testament.

However, we received word that there would be a combined church crusade in Kompiam the last week of August in observance of the National Day of Repentance. I heard a report that the Chairman of the Enga Ministers Fraternal had traveled to Kompiam by car to make arrangements for the church crusade, so I sent him a WhatsApp message to see if the road was clear. He said that on his return, “five gunmen” were waiting at the top of the mountain. Because of his work with the church, they let him through. But he advised me not to travel on the road without a police escort (which can be difficult to arrange).

However, a combined church crusade is an ideal time to do a New Testament dedication because the hard work of organizing the pastors and Christians has already been done. So we arranged to fly directly from Ukarumpa to Kompiam, which has a nice airstrip. Instead of an eleven-hour drive, we had a 50-minute flight to Kompiam in a ten-seater Kodiak airplane. (You can see a video of the airstrip landing here.) Because we flew, we were also able to bring some colleagues with us to participate in the dedication.

After touring the area and the amazing hospital that had been built with help from the Australian Baptist Union, we went into the large tent where they were holding the outdoor crusade. Although I didn’t do an official count, I estimated that there were 300–400 people in attendance, which was remarkable for this remote area.

Pastors dedicating the Enga New Testament in Kompiam

After some preliminary speeches, the Enga pastors held up the Enga New Testament to dedicate it to God. It was a powerful moment to see pastors of various denominations and churches united together. After the dedication ceremony, people rushed forward to buy copies. I was pleasantly surprised at the response and the number of people who came forward to buy, because we had given a free copy of the Enga New Testament to every pastor pictured above. We left the remaining copies at the hospital store for them to sell for us, and then we got in the plane for the return trip home. Praise the Lord!