Greetings in the Name of the Lord
It seems the times that we most need to send a newsletter are the times it is hard to get to it. The last few months have been very full with travel and other activities. Here are a few of the highlights from the last few months.
March 2011
The month of March we spent time at Ukarumpa in the highlands. As always enjoyed the cooler weather. We were kept busy with meetings most of the time. The first group of meetings were at a conference called Interact. We heard field reports from colleagues about the progress of translation and literacy work going on throughout Papua New Guinea. Gertrude gave a report on the Scripture In Ministry Conference we coordinated last September in Kavieng. At Interact, my role was setting up and running the PowerPoint presentations. I was glad to be a service in this way. We also gave regional reports at the SIL Biennial Conference later in March.
As we were there we visited with other African American members that are serving in Ukarumpa. A number of times we got together to share meals. A couple of times, Gertrude cooked some collard greens (a little taste of home) which was enjoyed by everyone. In the picture (from left to right) is Yolanda Finney, Deborah Bryant (one of Gertrude's recruits), Estella Trostle, Gertrude, and myself. --Kevin
Gertrude's Ministry at Kung Island
In March I developed an allergy that developed into asthma. Dr. Jeff recommended, "Don't go back to Lossu village until the bat problem is resolved or you might have a more severe asthma reaction." So, I stayed away from Lossu and prayed that the Lord will speed the repairs on the house. I had some idea of how I would occupy myself in Kavieng, but surprisingly, another a special opportunity arose to serve Tungag elementary teachers.
Since the S.I.L. Center where I was staying in Kavieng was at full occupancy, I gladly accepted the invitation to go do a literacy in-service for elementary school teachers in Taskul District, a group of beautiful islands northwest of Kavieng. Over 100 teachers attended the four-day in-service at Kung Island. All of them speak Tungag, the largest language group in New Ireland Province whose population is about 23,000. Although I had trained some Tungag literacy teachers 20 years ago, little had been done to maintain the supply of curriculum materials and instruction in their language. Consequently, their students were not learning to read by grade three! Although much more is needed, I was able to help them develop reading readiness and primer drafts for publication. Their need epitomizes the needs of elementary educators throughout the province and probably the whole country. Read more...
Translator's Training Course
I had the joy of helping with the Translator's Training Course 2 that was taking place in Kavieng during the month of May. The focus of this course was to help Papua New Guineans as they worked on translating passages from Genesis and Exodus. I taught part of the Bible background course. It was the first time that I have done any classroom teaching in a while and it felt good to be in front of the class again. The purpose of this class was to help the students develop some tools for personal Bible study.
House Renovation
We are so grateful for our house at Lossu village. The problem though, is that it is over 20 years old and it is showing it's age. For the last year have been been working with men in the village to get timber cut that could be used for the walls of the house. As we have spent so much time out of the village, it was hard to know what was happening. Now, we are so excited at long last the work is mostly done. On Friday, May 27, about 20 men and teenagers came and replaced the old walls with the sawn timber. They worked right up till sunset when then could hardly see what they were doing, but they completed the work. A couple of weeks later much the same crew came together to continue working on the house. They have completed most of the outside walls except for a few places and some finishing work. As we return to the village later this month I look forward to seeing the work completed.
NITI (New Ireland Translation Institute)
One of the Highlights of the year for us is the time we work at NITI. I am working with the Notsi on translating the Gospel of Matthew. We are very pleased with the progress that we are making. We also are in the process of reviewing the Book of Philippians in preparation for consultant check at the next NITI course. This has been a most productive time for us working together.
Gertrude was able to prepare well and deliver the one-month literacy training course for central and southern New Ireland at the NITI. She worked with 18 participants from nine different language groups. This was building upon the work they had completed in the previous courses.
What's Coming Up
August Gertrude will lead an adult literacy class for the Kuot language group in a neighboring village.
October Kevin will return to NITI for the next course with the translators. Gertrude will have a follow up literacy course with the Kout.
November Kevin & Gertrude will be heading to the US for furlough. We are looking forward to seeing family and friends. Kevin’s focus will be finishing the required classes for the translation course in Dallas. Gertrude will be spending some time to care for her mother.
Prayer & Praise
Praise Report
- The Tungag elementary teachers who will soon have reading readiness and primers in their language, as well as necessary training.
- The testimony of persistent and resilient Tungag Christians in Taskul District.
- We rejoice that the outside walls have been replaced on the house. What a blessing to see the community come together to help.
- Health and strength and Gertrude's recover from asthma.
- Gertrude, who celebrated her 56th birthday on May 7th.
- Our dear friend and our long-time colleague, Rhona Lisam went home to be with the Lord on July 1st after suffering from cancer.
Prayer Request
- The provincial government will find new funds to re-establish their vernacular curriculum materials production center—trained and committed staff, rapid duplicator equipment, computers, printers, continuity to service all 25 language groups.
- We can either replace the Duplo Rapid duplicator or get it repaired. Until then, Gertrude and other colleagues will not be able to finish any desk-top publishing projects.
- Gertrude will have no allergies to the newly walled village house.
- Our Notsi language learning will continue, in spite of unexpected interruptions and delays.
- The Spirit of unity and collaboration will prevail among the Notsi.
- The Lord will give grace to Ertius Lisam and the family as they grieve the loss of their beloved Rhona.
- We will receive adequate funds to cover our travels home for an eight-month furlough in November.
