Winter 2010
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Our Life in Papua New Guinea, 2009
In January we found ourselves busily preparing for departure to California, our last stop before heading to Papua New Guinea (PNG). It seems like ages since that time. So much has happened--so many transitions--until it's hard to put it all in one short letter. So, we'll try the next best thing. We'll give a few highlights of praise and thanksgiving.
The biggest highlight of our three months at the Pacific Orientation Course (POC) has to be the wonderful relationships we forged between other missionaries as well as new relationships with certain nationals. While we were at the POC camp on Nobnob Hill (February/March), we were adopted by Maum and Lamus and their two children. This family visited with us often and loved as their own. In the Village Living Phase of POC, it was great living day to day with Nick Babong and his family among the Maiani in Simbini Village. A real highlight was reuniting with Gertrude's former was famili (host family) at Tobenam Village which is located a few miles north of Simbini. We enjoyed a full day of baking cakes, eating fresh fish and reminiscing about Gertrude's first time with the Zoromotas. Mobile phones will help us stay in touch. The Pacific Orientation Course was a great bonding experience as we began our overseas ministry together as a married couple. We thank God for all we learned and continue to learn as we begin work in New Ireland Province.
New Ireland Translation Institute
In mid May, we made an initial trip to visit with the Bible translation teams of the NITI located at Sohun Village near Namatanai Town. We met the Notsi (pronounced NO-Chee) language translators for the first time: Matthew, Katuben, Paul and Wesley. Later, we met Seli, the only woman translator. The Notsi translation team attends two NITI courses per year and has completed first drafts on 14 books of the Bible including Genesis, Jonah, Ruth and eleven New Testament books. In August we attended the second NITI course of 2009 where Kevin began helping the Notsi develop Notsi to English back-translations for Philippians and 1 Timothy. This back translation will assist the translation advisor in determining the quality of the first drafts translation. During this second NITI course Gertrude began planning with all 13 language groups involved for a literacy workshop in February-March 2010. We praise God that we are off to a good start among the Notsi and with other responsibilities within the Papua New Guinea Branch of SIL International.
Village Home in Lossu
The Lord has blessed us with this house as we are in the village. There is indoor plumping, washing machine, stove and refrigerator. We are so grateful for each item. We are so thankful for all our supporters that make it possible to do this work, by your prayer and finances. There is much to be done in the coming year and it could only happen with your on going support. Thanks so very much. May God richly bless you in this new year.
Created on Febuary 26, 2011..................................