While I (Adam) often update you on our work of Bible translation among the Enga people, I know that many of you also like to hear about how the family is doing. So this month, I thought I would give you a brief update on each member of the family.
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| Don't worry! He wears a helmet when is not posing for a picture. |
Jacob
Jacob is now sixteen years old and in grade 11. Jacob loves spending time with his friends, playing basketball, and going to the gym. It is safe to say that his basketball skills now far exceed those of his father. (Though his dad can still give him a competitive game of one-on-one.) This year Jacob began working at the Teen Center, which runs a hamburger and fries restaurant experience for the community (when COVID restrictions permit). Jacob has also been learning how to ride a motorcycle (which was gifted to us by a church). He enjoys cruising around center with his friends and is waiting for the day when the motorcycle is finally registered so that he can ride off center a bit. Pray for his mom!
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| Fiver first place ribbons on Sports Day! |
Bella
Bella is now fourteen years old and in grade 9. Bella is full of energy and enthusiasm, keeping herself very busy with a variety of activities including choir, piano, drama, and trombone. Like Jacob, she also began working at the Teen Center this year. One of the highlights of Bella's year was her school's Sports Day. Although she was still in eighth grade at the time, she won five first place ribbons and one second place ribbon, competing against all the high school girls up to grade 12. Bella also decided to get baptized in the local river earlier this year, sharing her testimony in front of the community.
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| Becoming a speed cuber |
Asher
Asher is now twelve years old and in grade 6, which means that he has moved from the primary campus to the secondary campus. He has been growing like a weed this year and is now five feet, two inches tall. Won't be long before he passes up his mom and his sister! This year Asher took it upon himself to learn the Rubik's cube. He has become quite the speed cuber, consistently being able to solve the cube in under one minute. Asher is also following in his brother's footsteps by playing a lot of basketball. He has made huge strides this year and is able to complete with boys who are several years older than he is. Besides that, Asher continues playing the trumpet and participating in choir.
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| Teaching the book Hatchet |
Martha
I won't tell you how old Martha is, but I will tell you that she is doing a great job teaching English to grades 6, 7, and 8. Parents in the community keep telling us how much their children enjoy being in Martha's class. While it would be a big adjustment for anyone to return to teaching after many years away, Martha has handled it very well and is starting to find her rhythm. And although it is a lot of work, she finds great joy in teaching Middle School students not only about English, but also about life and inspiring them to be who God has created them to be.
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| Doing what it takes |
Adam
As I searched for a picture to summarize my own year, this one jumped out to me. Although the life of a Bible translator may seem exciting and exotic, most of my time is spent either staring at a computer screen doing tedious translation tasks or washing dishes. But honestly that is what it takes in this season of our life for us to do what God has called us to do and also to serve the Bible translation community. So I do it with joy (most of the time). But when I am not staring at a screen or washing dishes, I really enjoy playing basketball with Jacob and Asher or listening to Bella play the piano while belting out the lyrics to the song she is playing. And I love helping Martha do what she does so that we Bible translators can do what we do. Because if it weren't for teachers like Martha, there would be no translators like me. Speaking of which, we have a great need for elementary school, middle school, and high school teachers here in Papua New Guinea. If you or someone you know would like information about teaching here, please visit http://teachbeyond.org/PNG.
