When we decided to allocate to the Enga Bible translation project, we knew that we would need the help of local churches to promote literacy. With over 300,000 Enga speakers, there was no way that we could teach them all how to read. As excitement for the Enga Bible has grown, churches have begun literacy programs to prepare for reading the New Testament in their own language. What is most exciting about this development is that we ourselves did not start these.
To meet the demand for the growing interest in literacy, we decided to print 250 copies of the Gospel of Matthew so that those who are pursuing literacy will have something to read. Rather than selling these books, we are strategically distributing them as promotional copies to drum up further interest in Enga literacy. A couple of weeks ago, I gave copies to four pastors in town, and they each immediately began reading aloud. One of the pastors, Pastor Joe, was so impressive in his ability to read fluently that I quickly pulled out my phone and took a short video of him for you all to see.
Around the same time, our friend Jenny (not her real name) stopped by our house. You may recall that Jenny was the lady who was accused of witchcraft and was nearly tortured to death in the village across the river from us. While we were away in Ukarumpa, Jenny took it upon herself to take a short two-week course in Enga literacy. We wanted to see how much she had learned, and so we gave her a copy of the Gospel of Matthew, and she immediately began reading it. She wasn’t quite as fluent as Pastor Joe, but we were still highly impressed that a woman who had gone through such difficult trials had taken it upon herself to learn how to read. She is now teaching ten other women how to read. To see a video of Pastor Joe and Jenny reading, please go to (https://vimeo.com/296242115).
Translation Progress
We continue to make excellent progress toward the completion of the New Testament in Enga. During our current two-month stay in the village, we will complete the advisor check for Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, Jude, Revelation, and perhaps even 1-2 Timothy and Titus. After returning from the village at the end of November, I will begin working on preparing the Pauline Epistles for advisor check. Preparation for advisor check involves reading the Enga draft translation and meticulously comparing it with the original Greek, making notes and drafting suggested changes. This is very tedious work. For example, in the book of Revelation alone, I have 891 notes to review with the team. Please pray for strength and endurance for me to complete advisor checking. While our work is challenging and tedious, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the Enga New Testament and hope to have the entire New Testament completed within three years time.
Bird’s Eye View
A few months ago our friend and fellow missionary Anton Lutz brought his drone to our village house in Enga and took video footage of our house, village, and the surrounding area. We’ve made this footage into a short video along with commentary from the family so that you can get a better idea of where we live. You can view the video at the following link: (https://vimeo.com/296260973).
Jacob in the Hostel
Our oldest son, Jacob, decided to stay in the hostel during our current visit in Enga. He is now in eighth grade and very busy in school with many activities. There are many other boys and girls his age in the hostel, which is overseen by hostel parents. While we are sad that he is not with us, he seems to be thriving and enjoying a bit of independence. But please keep him (and us) in your prayers.
Upcoming Furlough
We our planning to begin our next furlough in late June 2019. We will begin our furlough in Western Pennsylvania, where we will be staying with my (Adam’s) parents. During this time we hope to visit friends and relatives in the East Coast area. In December, we will drive cross-country to Los Angeles and spend the remainder of our furlough there before returning to Papua New Guinea in June 2020. We hope to see you then.
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| Local Church Literacy School |
Around the same time, our friend Jenny (not her real name) stopped by our house. You may recall that Jenny was the lady who was accused of witchcraft and was nearly tortured to death in the village across the river from us. While we were away in Ukarumpa, Jenny took it upon herself to take a short two-week course in Enga literacy. We wanted to see how much she had learned, and so we gave her a copy of the Gospel of Matthew, and she immediately began reading it. She wasn’t quite as fluent as Pastor Joe, but we were still highly impressed that a woman who had gone through such difficult trials had taken it upon herself to learn how to read. She is now teaching ten other women how to read. To see a video of Pastor Joe and Jenny reading, please go to (https://vimeo.com/296242115).
Translation Progress
We continue to make excellent progress toward the completion of the New Testament in Enga. During our current two-month stay in the village, we will complete the advisor check for Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, Jude, Revelation, and perhaps even 1-2 Timothy and Titus. After returning from the village at the end of November, I will begin working on preparing the Pauline Epistles for advisor check. Preparation for advisor check involves reading the Enga draft translation and meticulously comparing it with the original Greek, making notes and drafting suggested changes. This is very tedious work. For example, in the book of Revelation alone, I have 891 notes to review with the team. Please pray for strength and endurance for me to complete advisor checking. While our work is challenging and tedious, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the Enga New Testament and hope to have the entire New Testament completed within three years time.
Bird’s Eye View
A few months ago our friend and fellow missionary Anton Lutz brought his drone to our village house in Enga and took video footage of our house, village, and the surrounding area. We’ve made this footage into a short video along with commentary from the family so that you can get a better idea of where we live. You can view the video at the following link: (https://vimeo.com/296260973).
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| Drone footage of our house in Immi village |
Our oldest son, Jacob, decided to stay in the hostel during our current visit in Enga. He is now in eighth grade and very busy in school with many activities. There are many other boys and girls his age in the hostel, which is overseen by hostel parents. While we are sad that he is not with us, he seems to be thriving and enjoying a bit of independence. But please keep him (and us) in your prayers.
Upcoming Furlough
We our planning to begin our next furlough in late June 2019. We will begin our furlough in Western Pennsylvania, where we will be staying with my (Adam’s) parents. During this time we hope to visit friends and relatives in the East Coast area. In December, we will drive cross-country to Los Angeles and spend the remainder of our furlough there before returning to Papua New Guinea in June 2020. We hope to see you then.
