Translation Workshop
We just got back from a Bible translation workshop out in the town of Goroka. Bible translators from all over PNG and some other countries as well attended and we received very practical training in the latest methods of Bible translation. We all brought translation helpers out of the bush with us and so during the course of the workshop we honed our skills on a real portion of scripture from the book of Luke. The schedule was pretty intense but we are thankful that we were able to attend.
Testimonies
We were out of the bush several weeks while attending the translation workshop but the believers continued to meet and studied lessons that I have already taught. Our first meeting after being back was such an encouragement. We asked them to share what they had learned from God’s Word while we were gone. And several shared in detail from the lesson they had studied. It was obvious that the Holy Spirit had taught their hearts. It is reassuring to know that the Holy Spirit will continue to teach them even when we are away during our home assignment starting next summer.
The translation helper that we had brought out to the workshop with us also shared from what he learned during the workshop. In short he had a much better understanding of the difficulties involved in translation but also an excitement that the Word of God was in fact being translated into their language. He said that what Wycliffe and Tyndale had done for English speakers we (missionaries & translation helpers) were now doing for Simbari speakers. I had never thought of it that way. We English speakers really take our translations of God’s Word for granted. Even now, in this so-called ‘Information Age’ there are still thousands of languages without a translation of God’s Word.
15th Anniversary
Our 15th wedding anniversary is coming up on the 21st of December. We’re not sure what the kids and our co-worker, Lori, are cooking up for us but it is always something special.
Holiday greetings to you,
David and Shari Ogg
(Esther, Simon, Rachel and Jason)
Praise and Prayer:
- PRAISE for the training we received at the Translation Workshop.
- PRAISE that God is continuing to build and nurture His church in the Simbari.
- PRAY for wisdom as David continues to translate Phase 2 Bible lessons.
- PRAY for our co-worker Lori who has been having severe back pain. She had a surgery that helped for a while but now the pain has started to get bad again.
- PRAY that we will find renters for our condo for Jan-July.