Since we last wrote to you a lot has happened!
- Completed our trade language studies and orientation.
- Moved out to the SIMBARI tribe (our permanent allocation).
- Celebrated our first jungle Christmas in P.N.G.
- Have begun preparations for building our new homes and for a 1992 summer SUMMIT team.
Who are the SIMBARI people?
In the early days of expatriate presence in P.N.G., the SIMBARI were referred to as Kukukuku’ s along with several other nearby people groups. This term has been replaced by the more acceptable title of Angan people. The Angan peoples are related in language and in culture. The SIMBARI number approximately 3,000 and the tribe occupies four valleys on the southern edge of the mountainous Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. New Tribes Mission began work in the SIMBARI tribe in 1966, but due to lack of personnel the work has suffered. Our co-workers, Dennis and Jeanne Best, have worked on and off in the SIMBARI tribe since 1971. Dennis has already begun translating and teaching and God is beginning to build His church in the SIMBARI!
We will be working hard to learn the language quickly so that we may begin a teaching/translating ministry as soon as possible. The believers want to be taught everyday, instead of just one day a week, and they are also eager to learn to read the Bible in their own language.
Over the past five years, the SIMBARI people have been building a new airstrip. We will be joining most of the nearby SIMBARI in moving up to the new airstrip to build houses. Please pray for finances for us to be able to build. We (David, Shari, Esther, and Simon) have already moved up to airstrip location to begin work on our house. Please pray for us as we are living in a tribal hut until we are able to put up a building that is livable. There is a lot of work to prepare for the SUMMIT team coming in June. Please pray for laborers for the team.
Only by His Grace,
David & Shari Ogg
Esther & Simon