Archive for January 2006
Kam, yumi pul
I have to say: I’m scared.
Lord willing, I’ll be back in Papua New Guinea two months from now. I am one of two people appointed to the awesome task of publicizing 50 years of Bible translation in PNG, and I’m feeling a bit like Gideon tonight. There are only two of us, Lord, and I’m very young. I don’t know if I have what it takes.
But the possibilities are incredible. Today, I met with two international communications consultants, and we began to plan in detail the things we hope to accomplish this year. Monday, I have appointments with others who work in international communications and fundraising, and I’ll meet with the director of our work in PNG while he’s here in Dallas.
The goal? We want to make a profound impact on the future of Bible translation in PNG. With God’s help, we can reach the whole world with the message: Papua New Guineans desperately need God’s Word in the language of their hearts. Yes, we will celebrate what God has done over the last 50 years. But hundreds of language communities are still waiting.
As I’ve said, I’m scared. But this is God’s plan and God’s timing. Please pray for me. Pray for creativity. Pray for strength. Pray for wisdom.
Plans for the trip itself are coming together. The travel agent is working on my tickets now, and I’ll be ready to send in my visa application next week. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and quickly.
Meanwhile, I continue work at The Seed Company, writing and editing. I’ve been helping prepare for the future of TSC’s communication process, and I’ve helped articulate the vision of our leadership. Parke and I will represent TSC at LeTourneau University’s Missions Emphasis Week in late January.
I will be in Dallas for another six weeks. After a short time at home, I’ll fly to PNG, arriving in early March.
Friends, we are preparing to celebrate 50 years of Bible translation in PNG. Each of you has had a part in that work. This is your story too. You can continue your partnership by praying for me and by praying for June Hathersmith, who will work closely with me this year. June has worked in Wycliffe for more than 30 years, and I count it a deep privilege to work alongside her.
You can partner with me by giving. I need to pay for an airplane ticket, and I will have monthly expenses like room and board and food. As we work toward the publication of an introduction to Papua New Guinea’s people groups, I will need to travel considerably within PNG, mostly by small planes. Those flights cost money too. If you are able to partner with me financially, you can send tax-deductible contributions to Wycliffe Associates, PO Box 2000, Orange CA 92859. Be sure to write 8227 on the memo line of your check, and include a note that says it’s for me.
Let me close with the story of a teenager who lives in a very dangerous part of the world. She began assisting Bible translators, but she did not profess faith in Christ. Nevertheless, when her family found out what she was doing, they threatened to take her life. The translators quickly moved her to a safer place, and Jesus appeared to her that night in a dream. When she awoke, she gave her life to Him. Then a family member found her, and beat her. A few days later, she stood up in a meeting, her face bruised and disfigured. “Even if they kill me,” she said, “you must see that this translation work goes forward.”
As they say in PNG, “Kam, yumi pul.” Let’s pull together to bring God’s Word to all the peoples of the earth!
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