Author: Keith and Elspeth Campbell

The Watut area in our Morobe Region has suffered significant crop losses due to the drought, and the people need to supplement their food supplies. They usually rely on the sale of excess crops to purchase alternative staple foods such as flour and rice, pay for medical treatment, education, etc. The drought has taken away any hope of having saleable produce to cover these expenses.

A translation couple working with the Watut appealed to their supporters in the USA for assistance with food relief. The result was enough to purchase 135 10kg bags of rice.

The ‘shopping trip’ to Lae is more involved than what you may be used to, involving a hike, a canoe down the Watut River, then a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) bus into town. After securing a good price, we were able to assist them with transporting the load 65km back to their canoe. I was concerned how the canoe would fair carrying almost 2 tonne of cargo and passengers – I needn’t have worried. It is an impressive craft, at over 30 feet long and carved from a single log.

Though our translator friend texted us that the trip back was “hot and long”, it would be exciting to make the journey with them one day.

Please pray …

• for the many communities struggling through drought-related hardship
• that PNG government leaders may have wisdom and compassion in addressing issues
• for discernment for the various translation teams when providing practical assistance

31 August, 6:45 – It feels odd to be just hours away from being back in Australia, sitting in Lae airport awaiting a flight to Port Moresby (POM) and a Cairns connection. The mission dentist at Ukarumpa Clinic had identified a broken molar which required more attention than he was able to provide. The re-entry carries with it a sense of unease at making this journey before being emotionally ready to be ‘home’.

4 September, 7:15 – As ‘medical evacuations’ go , this one was very low key. Three flights each way – Lae / POM / Cairns / Townsville – complete with six tiny buns, six tiny drinks, and six fairly emotionless safety demonstrations requiring “my complete attention”. [Just once I’d love to see them quiz some iPad engrossed passenger in the old public school style – “The young man in 14D… perhaps you’d like to tell us what happens if we lose cabin pressure?]

The trip was all about ticking off the to-do list.

• Grab some stored items that we now know would have been useful [I wonder if Paul was better prepared on his second missionary journey?]
• Have a broken tooth extracted
• Purchase equipment for the Lae Centre that never hits the shelves in PNG

What wasn’t on the list was taking time out to visit old friends. Being in Australia felt odd, as if I was out of place. Admittedly Elspeth wasn’t with me, which added to the oddness, but it was more the certainty that this was not where God would have me feel settled just yet. Only with the eventual return next year will there be the task of reconnecting and renewing the friendships that make Townsville home.

We were told repeatedly during our training for work in PNG that building valuable relationships takes time. Ross Webb, a former field Director in Vanuatu, stated that “One of the best things about Bible translation is that it takes a long time.” The process can only occur within the context of relationship, and the work is enriched because of it. To share the word, we must share language, experiences and emotions – we must walk along together.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”      Romans 10:14-15

Please pray …

• praise God for a successful surgery and that the after-effects have been minimal
• for us both to be prepared emotionally when the day comes to return to Australia
• thankful that God will always provide the people and resources to see His work completed in line with His purposes and to His glory

We were not sure what to expect from a nationally prescribed day for repentance. The link between national identity and the Christian faith is strong in Papua New Guinea, yet many readily admit that the personal, individual commitment to godly living often does not accompany the profession of being a Christian. There were over 1000 people at the event, but that represents a small proportion of the entire Lae community.

Yet it is that very issue that lies at the heart of Repentance Day (August 26). It is as much for Christians to lament the spiritual state of their PNG brothers and sisters as it is for a personal expression of grief over sin.

Crowds assembled in groups according to region – highlands, lowlands, and the islands – and specific community groups such as leaders in the church and society, and students of schools and universities, were brought to the front at times for covering in communal prayer.

The nationalistic approach to repentance should not seem that strange a concept to us. It is a recurring event in the days of Israel under various kings. Hezekiah’s spiritual reforms in Israel followed the rule of his idolatrous father, King Ahaz, who offered his children as sacrifices and permanently shut the doors of the Lord’s temple.

Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel.       2 Chronicles 30:1

The people destroyed the idolatrous altars, and rejoiced greatly as the Passover offerings were made “And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.”  (2 Chron. 30:20)

Our Australian culture tends toward a more private and personal expression of spirituality in general, particularly in the area of repentance. Yet the PNG way is to live in community, and the process of grieving over sin is no exception.

They feel deeply the circumstances of many of their people – struggling without a job or suitable housing; trapped in alchohol and drug abuse; families under strain – and understand the spiritual issue that underlies these problems.

Like Hezekiah, the Lae Christian community gathered this day to seek the Lord’s healing for their people, knowing that their prayers will be heard by the One who promises “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Please pray …

• that the PNG church would be a strong voice in the community, and an even stronger witness as they walk with the Lord daily.
• thank God for the general openness to spiritual matters in PNG culture, including a Government who acknowledges the place of Christianity in society.
• for the hundreds of young people who came forward to receive the prayers of the community, adding their “Amen” to the plea for God to work among the next generation.

Instituted in 2011 by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Repentance Day on August 26 is to prompt the people of PNG to seek God’s forgiveness for the collective sins of the nation, and to consider their own role in restoring relationships within families and the community.

Here at the Lae Centre, we had a valuable learning experience this week. With some new staff, and a rearrangement of duties, tensions arose on Tuesday over how work was to be done. As managers we planned how to address the situation and I prepared a stirring talk drawing on Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12 to encourage unity and functioning as one body.

Then God intervened.

Our maintenance man led the Wednesday morning devotion time, sharing from Psalm 51 on the need to repent humbly before God for our sin to be dealt with.

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.              Psalm 51:9-10

First he, then other staff, humbly confessed that their attitude towards others on Centre had not been honouring to God in recent days, and sought forgiveness from the team. Tears were shed; handshakes and hugs exchanged.

God is so much better at restoring brokenness than we are!

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.                                                            1 Peter 5:10

Please pray …

• for God to be at work in our Lae team daily, that we may glorify Him.
• thankful that His works are perfect

One year ago today (August 20) we commenced orientation in PNG.

It feels like so much has happened – new and exciting experiences, physical and personal challenges, and many times that caused us to marvel at God’s grace. In all this time we have, with few exceptions, maintained a hectic pace, and the year has flown by. This naturally leads to contemplating the time we have left on this posting.

To be serving overseas involves coping with an existence across two worlds. We have the daily reality of our life and ministry here in Lae while continuing to process the events of regular life back in Australia. The next twelve months see us approaching the time of returning to friends and family and the comfort of familiar surroundings and routines. We will be re-connecting with our home church and renewing the relationships we miss so much.

Yet there is the awareness that the task God has given us is far from complete – there is much to be done and our focus needs to be on advancing the work of Bible translation in PNG. Jesus had some tough words for those with ‘double vision’ when it came to serving Him.

Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”         Luke 9:61-62

When ploughing the ground, looking back – or for that matter looking to far ahead to the distant untilled field – can only result in going off course, particularly in the days of equipment pulled by oxen. In many PNG gardens, not being attentive could result in a painful tumble down a mountain!

We are trusting God to guide us over the coming year, and beyond as we continue to serve wherever He takes us.

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.         Psalm 127:1

Please pray …

• for us to follow God’s agenda for our service of Him.
• thankful that He knows all that lies ahead, and equips us for the task.
• that we leave the concerns of family in Australia at the throne of grace, trusting that what results is His good and perfect will.
• that our focus remain on the task God has given us… right to the end.

Papua New Guineans love to celebrate, particularly when the occasion marks a real testimony to God’s faithfulness.

We were blessed to be a part of the celebrations surrounding the appointment of a new Director for PNG BTA – the Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Associaton. BTA is the product of a desire to see Papua New Guineans trained in linguistic skills and taking on more and more of the work of Bible translation in their own country.

The inaugural BTA Director, David Gela – who has filled this role for most of BTA’s thirty-five years – passed the task on to Tony Kotauga. Headship and authority is a big part of PNG culture, and the two men were led into the meeting by a contingent of family and folk from their respective churches. Check out the stirring entrances with the awesome bamboo band (well…. the modern PVC pipe equivalent).

The presiding Pastor spoke of Moses anointing Joshua as his successor, commissioning him to lead the people of Israel. In line with that biblical model, David anointed Tony with oil and prayed for he and his family, and the task they have undertaken.

The celebration continued in the grounds of the Ukarumpa Training Centre, with baskets of food for the many provinces represented, dancing and singing, and plenty of speeches – PNG folk can be unstoppable with a microphone in hand!

And talk about ceremonial gifting!  Both the past and incoming BTA Directors and their families were presented with wood carvings, garlands of flowers, and numerous bilums [ woven bags] of differing size and style. Translation teams from different provinces expressed their gratefulness for what God had done through the Gela’s godly leadership, and prayed for the Kotaugas to be blessed in this role.

The overall impression was that of family and relationship. We keep saying it, but to be a part of what God is doing here – however small we may feel that part is – makes us family. We are joined in this task of seeing the word of God transform the people of PNG, and for them to give glory to God.

Tony Kotauga made a fitting speech, which noted that the very valley which Wycliffe’s Ukarumpa base is built on was an area associated with bloody tribal conflict. The surrounding tribes would come down from the hills to fight – and here they were, a unified gathering from every province of PNG celebrating the impact of the life-transforming Gospel.

We could have felt like spectators, but all of the Wycliffe folk there were invited to join in the feast and the celebration. We were welcomed as family…. but then, they’re just following the example of their Father.

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb”……The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.     Revelation 19:9, 22:17

Please pray …

– for the continuing relationship between Wycliffe and BTA as they work together in the translation of God’s word and literacy development throughout PNG. – praise God for the transformation in PNG culture brought about by the Gospel – for David and Seneina Gela as they take on a larger focus with Wycliffe working in Pacific Island Development. – for Tony and Serah Kotauga to be bold in guiding BTA on in new directions as they follow God’s leading.

One of the many people that we have come through the Lae Centre is Kim (and Annie) Colich who have been in PNG since 1991 working with the Tami people near Finschhafen, on the South East corner of the Huon peninsula, Morobe Province.

On Sunday 31st May 2015 the Gospel of John was dedicated for the Tami people. Kim writes, ‘At the service, the translation committee chairman said, ‘This talk is Jesus. This talk is true talk. This talk is holy talk. This talk is pure talk. This talk is Life. To those who receive and follow these words correctly, God will come and dwell within them and remove darkness from them, and give them light and life. God’s words will help all who believe and hold tightly to them.”’

At the end of their stay, Kim and Annie had sold all of the Audibibles, phone SD memory cards and a small number of Gospels.They recently spent two and a half months in Malasiga Village selling the Audibibles, preparing for the dedication, encouraging and motivating the villagers to continue the work of translation while they are on a year’s furlough in the US beginning July 2015.

‘It became very clear that the Scriptures in audio form are what most excite the people…many times, we saw faces light up as an AudiBible was turned on and they (the Villagers) heard John being read in Tami. Over and over the comment was, “Yes! This is real Tami. It is clear. Now we can understand!”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14 v 6

Kim and Annie want to see the Tami people and community with changed lives because of God’s Word being translated into their own heart language to the glory of God.

Prayer Points

•  Rejoice with us that the powerful, life-giving, life-changing Word of God is now in the hands of many Tami people in a language that speaks clearly to their hearts!
• Pray that the Tami villagers will continue to listen and read John’s Gospel.

So far, 2015 has celebrated two New Testament dedications.

Since 1973, Sören & Britten Årsjö have worked diligently in Papua New Guinea, first amongst the Ama people of the East Sepik Province completing both a New Testament (1990) and a revision (2010), and now the Konai people of the Western Province completing a New Testament which was dedicated to God’s glory in April. [Read  about the dedication then click on the link to view a short video at: Big change happening

Mack and Doris Graham have overcome many setbacks and worked for more than 30 years with the Kandawo people in the Jiwaka Province culminating in the New Testament being published and dedicated in April. At the dedication, actors presented a dramatisation of the New Testament coming in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, English, Chimbu, Pidgin and finally the Kandawo language. [Read  about the dedication then click on the link to view a short video at: Drama brings truth to life

‘there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10 v 12-15

Please pray that the LORD of the harvest sends out more workers into His harvest field.

Photographs taken by M.Maimer and from the website https://thepngexperience.wordpress.com/