There are over 20 villages, over 8,000 people, 1 mountain range, and 2 shores, in the Patpatar tribe. But that is just one tribe. That is only 1 of the 800+ languages in Papua New Guinea. So what about the other 800+? What about those beyond our borders?
I (Aaron) have the opportunity from time to time to be involved in a ministry that reaches beyond the borders of the Patpatar tribe. Because most of my time and energy are focused on the work among the Patpatar that is what most of our updates are about. I wanted to take this update to tell you a little more about some of the work I do as a culture and language consultant and where that takes me. In the tribes here in the islands of Papua New Guinea, there are several places in which missionaries are learning the unique culture and language of that particular tribe. About every six months I get to go in and do an evaluation on their progress. Since every tribe has a completely different language and unique aspects of their culture, it is impossible for me to comprehend what is being said. But with the help of the trade language and other tools, it is possible to do some testing and then give direction on how to become more proficient in their tribal language and culture. The purpose of these evaluations is to keep the missionaries on track and get through the learning stage as quickly as possible so that they can continue on with their ministries of teaching God’s Word, presenting the Gospel, doing translation, teaching literacy, and establishing churches within that tribe. In this way I get to share in a small part of what God is doing in other tribes in Papua New Guinea and you have a part in that as well.
Last month I traveled 3 hours by boat to our closest “white skin” neighbors in a village south of us. There I had the opportunity to do an evaluation with two couples. This is the same tribe that I was able to be a help with an initial survey in back in 2006. I am also excited about this work because some of the Patpatar people have inter-married with the those in this other tribe. This was the final evaluation for one of the men and so now having completed language and culture, he has been busily translating portions of Genesis into their language.
Then a couple of weeks ago I took a 2½ hour boat ride to the next island, waited and eventually found a vehicle to take to the end of the road over an hour away, then followed the trail for 3 hours and entered a village in another tribe just after dark. There I was able to do an evaluation with the missionaries This is the same tribe that I was able to do a survey into when we first arrived in Papua New Guinea, and that Lori and I desired to go into, but God shut all the doors at that time. Now there are two families who are in this remote area and have just started into culture and language study.
This last weekend, I was able to give another evaluation, ironically to my own teammate, Madonna. She joined our team about 1½ ago and has been working hard to acquire the Patpatar language and culture. Though still in the learning stage, she has helped our team a lot already by building great relationships, visiting with the ladies, teaching some classes about sewing and baking, helping enter literacy information into the computer, printing Bible lessons, and more. She did well on her evaluation and is about half-way through this grueling process. This month she gets to take a well deserved trip back to Australia to see family and friends before returning to the tribe in a few months. Thanks for continuing to remember her and the Kunzers as you pray for what God is doing in the Patpatar tribe.
I am still amazed by God’s gift to us through His Son. I am still amazed that He is willing to use us in His plan to take the message to other tribes. Thank you to so many of you who have partnered with us to see other tribes reached.
For His glory,
Aaron