Prayer Update: Roads and Unrest
We asked you to pray for the road (which was covered by a landslide) and for the unrest among the West Kewa. To bring you up to date…
Road – Amazingly, the road was quickly restored to a passable condition
– helped along by the fact that it was the main road between two of the largest cities in the highlands. The men were able to travel by PMV (hired car) to the landslide, walk across the impassable portion, and then get another PMV to take them home. Praise God!
Unrest – The fighting is still occurring among the West Kewa – although last weekend, a series of peace talks was begun in the capital city of Port Moresby (where the fighting began). There has not been any new fighting recently, but the situation is always subject to change. This kind of fighting has traditionally been a part of life for highland people, so keep praying for them and specifically, the West Kewa.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
March 18th
Radio Room
Not that I have any technical knowledge of how the radio works – just wanted to show you that we use ALL SORTS of ways that we communicate with our colleagues. Here I am in the radio room, talking with one of my translators in the middle of the jungles of the highlands of PNG.
Not that I have any technical knowledge of how the radio works – just wanted to show you that we use ALL SORTS of ways that we communicate with our colleagues. Here I am in the radio room, talking with one of my translators in the middle of the jungles of the highlands of PNG.
March 15th
Homemade Play Dough!!!
Titus is getting to the age he can play and not just try to eat whatever he is playing with.
So, Kara made a cherry scented glob of fun!
March 11th
Interact
Just after the West Kewa guys went back to their villages, a conference began for language workers in PNG – to encourage, inform, and converse about different topics related to our work. On the first day, I had the opportunity to share about the work that I do as an Advocate for Local Languages. Tande (from the Imbo-Ungu) and I spoke about the work in which I am involved. Overall, the conference was very interesting and encouraging.
Just after the West Kewa guys went back to their villages, a conference began for language workers in PNG – to encourage, inform, and converse about different topics related to our work. On the first day, I had the opportunity to share about the work that I do as an Advocate for Local Languages. Tande (from the Imbo-Ungu) and I spoke about the work in which I am involved. Overall, the conference was very interesting and encouraging.
March 10th
Blokus
This evening, we had the West Kewa translators over for supper followed up by a rousing game of Blokus – a game where people play pieces of different shapes on a grid, only being allowed to touch their own pieces at the corners. We played once and then the men insisted on playing two more times! They loved it. (And we discovered that Papua New Guineans are quite skilled in trash talk.)
This evening, we had the West Kewa translators over for supper followed up by a rousing game of Blokus – a game where people play pieces of different shapes on a grid, only being allowed to touch their own pieces at the corners. We played once and then the men insisted on playing two more times! They loved it. (And we discovered that Papua New Guineans are quite skilled in trash talk.)
Thank you to Rachel Menke for sending it to us!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Landslide
March 3rd
There is one main road which connects the major cities in the highlands of Papua New Guinea – the Highlands Highway. The road is one of the best roads in the country, in terms of connecting different communities and allowing people to travel all over. However, this morning, a landslide has covered up the road - probably caused by the immense amount of rain and sudden downpours in this past week. The landslide killed pedestrians and covered over 2 buses which were on the road. The latest news is that it will be a while before the road is passable again. Pray for wisdom in what to do as the translators here use that road to get home. We need to know what to do and we need to be able to get them home to their families. For now, we can simply wait and hope that the news gets better…
There is one main road which connects the major cities in the highlands of Papua New Guinea – the Highlands Highway. The road is one of the best roads in the country, in terms of connecting different communities and allowing people to travel all over. However, this morning, a landslide has covered up the road - probably caused by the immense amount of rain and sudden downpours in this past week. The landslide killed pedestrians and covered over 2 buses which were on the road. The latest news is that it will be a while before the road is passable again. Pray for wisdom in what to do as the translators here use that road to get home. We need to know what to do and we need to be able to get them home to their families. For now, we can simply wait and hope that the news gets better…
Unrest
March 2nd
While I seem to be getting somewhat conflicting reports from Kenneth (who is still hiding in the bush) and some of my translators here, it is all too clear that the West Kewa situation is not getting any better. Once again, a few days ago, 2 more men were killed and 7 more hospitalized after fighting broke out on some of the land belonging to Kenneth’s clan. Apparently no one from Kenneth’s clan was injured, but the fighting continues – needlessly. I had one of the translators call and speak to Kenneth, who reported that Kenneth’s clan has somehow gained access to 10 high-powered rifles. This news is disheartening because they are expecting to have to use them today – as they are expecting another attack from the neighboring clan. Pray that God would use the community leaders effectively to stop the fighting and that the Lord would intervene to stop the bloodshed and revenge killings.
While I seem to be getting somewhat conflicting reports from Kenneth (who is still hiding in the bush) and some of my translators here, it is all too clear that the West Kewa situation is not getting any better. Once again, a few days ago, 2 more men were killed and 7 more hospitalized after fighting broke out on some of the land belonging to Kenneth’s clan. Apparently no one from Kenneth’s clan was injured, but the fighting continues – needlessly. I had one of the translators call and speak to Kenneth, who reported that Kenneth’s clan has somehow gained access to 10 high-powered rifles. This news is disheartening because they are expecting to have to use them today – as they are expecting another attack from the neighboring clan. Pray that God would use the community leaders effectively to stop the fighting and that the Lord would intervene to stop the bloodshed and revenge killings.
March 2nd
Today, we began our consultant check of Genesis 12 - 22. We were able to get through 3 chapters (12-14). For the West Kewa translation team, please pray that they would have clarity of mind regarding their language and how to best express different ideas. Please pray for their continued ability to collaborate well and to be willing to have their work critically examined. For the consultant, please pray that he would ask appropriate questions which would help to discover possible weaker spots in the translation and pray also that he would be able to clearly communicate his ideas (which can be very difficult in Tok Pisin).
Today, we began our consultant check of Genesis 12 - 22. We were able to get through 3 chapters (12-14). For the West Kewa translation team, please pray that they would have clarity of mind regarding their language and how to best express different ideas. Please pray for their continued ability to collaborate well and to be willing to have their work critically examined. For the consultant, please pray that he would ask appropriate questions which would help to discover possible weaker spots in the translation and pray also that he would be able to clearly communicate his ideas (which can be very difficult in Tok Pisin).
Committed
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February 28th
The men who have come to do the work of Bible translation in the West Kewa language are certainly committed – they asked if we could work together on Saturday morning in order to get a few more chapters of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ruth corrected and checked. (The normal work week ends on Friday…) Their rationale? “We have come all of this way to do the Lord’s work. While we are here [in Ukarumpa], we will focus and do as much as we can.” – Pastor Max Yapua
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
UPDATE!
We have received a flurry of responses from people about the situation from the last prayer e-mail we sent out and told people to be checking our blog for an update... Well, here it is...
Feb 25th - Update on Kenneth and the West Kewa
I just talked with Kenneth on the phone and wanted to let you know what is going on. Presently, he and his family are living in the “big bush” – which means that they are living in deeper and more remote parts of the jungle. They are all healthy and well, but will continue to remain in the bush until some agreement of peace has been reached.
He reported that in the recent rash of fighting, two villages were destroyed (his home was in one of them), people’s gardens were destroyed (his gardens included) and personal property was destroyed or stolen. Two days ago, 2 more men from his clan, not from his immediate family, were shot and killed. He has indicated that currently, the Christians (who do not want to fight) along with the women and children from these villages (who are unable to fight) are currently hiding in the bush. However, he says that the Christians are attempting to make a stance for peace by encouraging clan members not to retaliate to this latest set of murders.
Kenneth is a man in a hard place, but I feel he has made a good decision. He has decided that, while he really desires to be coming here to do the Lord’s work, he will remain with his family to take care of them while there is still a threat of violence. His absence (along with his wife, who was going to come as well) will mean that in order for our check to proceed, we must have all three of the other men arrive for the check. Pray for continued safety and well-being for Kenneth and his family, and for safe and efficient travels for the three others who are coming.
Feb 25th - Update on Kenneth and the West Kewa
I just talked with Kenneth on the phone and wanted to let you know what is going on. Presently, he and his family are living in the “big bush” – which means that they are living in deeper and more remote parts of the jungle. They are all healthy and well, but will continue to remain in the bush until some agreement of peace has been reached.
He reported that in the recent rash of fighting, two villages were destroyed (his home was in one of them), people’s gardens were destroyed (his gardens included) and personal property was destroyed or stolen. Two days ago, 2 more men from his clan, not from his immediate family, were shot and killed. He has indicated that currently, the Christians (who do not want to fight) along with the women and children from these villages (who are unable to fight) are currently hiding in the bush. However, he says that the Christians are attempting to make a stance for peace by encouraging clan members not to retaliate to this latest set of murders.
Kenneth is a man in a hard place, but I feel he has made a good decision. He has decided that, while he really desires to be coming here to do the Lord’s work, he will remain with his family to take care of them while there is still a threat of violence. His absence (along with his wife, who was going to come as well) will mean that in order for our check to proceed, we must have all three of the other men arrive for the check. Pray for continued safety and well-being for Kenneth and his family, and for safe and efficient travels for the three others who are coming.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Feb 4th – Pray for Safety
One of the translators (Kenneth) from one of the language groups that I am working with (West Kewa) is legitimately concerned that he might be killed sometime in the near future. What happened? What did he do? Well, guilt by association (you could say). Back in August, a doctor from his clan was killed in the capital city, Port Moresby. In retaliation, some people in his clan killed a school teacher, who was from the clan that killed the doctor. This kind of give-take revenge killing is common in the Highlands of PNG, and means that Kenneth and his family have heard that there are members of the opposing clan, waiting in the city that he has to travel through to get to Ukarumpa (on Feb 26th) for consultant checking of Genesis 12 -22. Please pray for God’s protection, for safety, and wisdom as to whether or not they should travel. He will most likely try to come, as he has told me (via radio): “Mi stap long han blong Papa God na mi mekim wok blong Papa God. Em bai lukautim mi.” [Translation: I am in the Lord’s hand and I am doing the Lord’s work. He will watch over me.]
January 28th – Going Back to School
Over the past week and a half, I have been working with the Usarufa, working on finalizing Scripture portions of Genesis and beginning to advisor check portions of the History books (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings…). Our work had to come to an end today because my colleagues had to get back to the village. Why? Well, let’s just say that for kids in Papua New Guinea, the end of January marks the end of fun and relaxation. With February comes the beginning of a new school year. Because 2 of the 3 men I work with are involved in beginning literacy classes in their local language, they had to be back home, preparing the schools in their respective villages. For Waks, one of the translators for the Usarufa, literacy classes in his village are going be started for the first time in a long time (possibly, ever). What an exciting time for the Usarufa, to begin to learn to read and write in their own language, both young and old, men and women… Pray for their success and for wisdom in finding continued support for these school programs.
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