Month: February 2018

For two weeks in January, Lae Centre has hosted a workshop for a multi-language translation project. Twenty-nine PNG translators from six language groups worked through various tasks co-ordinated by a Wycliffe team. There are so many positive stories we could share, and here are two that highlight the partnership of the Australian church with what God is doing in PNG.

The Kapin team (above) made good use of an office space renovated by a work-party from our home church in Townsville. They arrived a week early to prepare for the workshop, and quickly laid claim to this spot away from noise and distraction, and with plenty of power outlets for the now essential laptops.

During the workshop, we were able to gift each of the translators stationery packs donated by a Christian School in North Queensland. The items were well received, and the spirit in which they were given was certainly not lost on these saints.

By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others. 2 Corinthians 9:13

 As we serve one another in this way, we grow together in Christ, the gospel advances, and God is glorified! It’s a win, win, win situation.

Please pray…

• For these brothers and sisters who give of their time to work together towards a translation in their heart language.
• That God will keep some of the older members in good health, that they may see the work through to the end.

Ring of fire ROCKED: 5.8m earthquake hits Papua New Guinea as scores of shocks recorded

A strong earthquake has rocked Papua New Guinea – putting the Pacific Ring of Fire on red alert after 32 other sizeable quakes hit the region during the last 24 hours.  UK Daily Express, Wed 31 Jan.

We weren’t exactly “rocked” here in Lae, but then I was simply brushing my teeth after a shower at the time, so I may not have been on mental and emotional high alert! The occasional shimmy and shake in our Lae Centre is just part of the difference of living in PNG. It can have a far greater impact on those living in the many coastal villages who have clear memories of the 1998 magnitude 7.0 quake that triggered a tsunami on the north coast near Aitape. The 10-15 metre high wave destroyed a number of villages and killed thousands of people. For those who have not experienced that, or grown up with that as a reality of life, the significance can be totally missed.

There are still aspects of PNG life that we sometimes don’t “get”…… issues involving relationships within families; response to perceived injustices; the “pecking order” within society that everyone just seems to understand and accept. We are students of life in PNG on a daily basis. That can lead to us feeling excluded at times, but it is a part of cross-cultural ministry that we need to work through. Thankfully the locals love to take on the role of teacher, and appreciate that we want to learn from them to understand more fully and to deepen our relationships.

Please pray…

• That we are able to find time in our busy schedule to observe, and learn, and share.
• For opportunities to deepen relationships with our PNG friends at work, in church, and within the community.