Outreach at Community School
Teaching from Creation to Christ in the Simbari language has been underway for months now at a community school where the students in the upper grades have heard key Old Testament stories as well as many of the Messianic prophesies that were all fulfilled by Christ. For these people who have been confused about the message of the Bible, even to the point of thinking that they themselves are Jews, this was a huge thing to see the Old Testament pointing to the coming Messiah over and over. It was also sobering for them to hear that God’s Law did not just refer to outward actions but also the thoughts of the heart. This left them with no argument as they realized they fell short of God’s standard of holiness. The teaching then moved on to the New Testament and the perfect life of Christ, the spotless lamb of God. This week they are hearing of the finished work of Jesus paying for the sins of mankind through His death followed by His burial and then His overcoming the power of death in His resurrection. The fact that God raised Him from the dead was evidence that his sacrifice on our behalf was accepted and also that Jesus was indeed who He claimed to be. In the days ahead these young people will be struggling with the decision of whether to receive this gift of God or reject it. Many of those who receive God’s gift of salvation in Jesus will be rejected by friends and relatives who are trusting in their own works and attempts to follow the Mosaic Law. It’s a hard thing to be faced with the choice of faith or family so please pray for them during this crucial time.
Bible Translation Progress
Chapters 9-16 of Romans are ready for the final translation check and we are working on the Bible lessons for teaching through that book. David is also working on the preliminary draft of Ephesians and is currently in chapter 6. The next book will be 1st Corinthians. Recently David attended some consultant and leadership meetings and also went into another tribe to assess the culture and language learning progress of some newer missionaries who are now ready to begin preparations for teaching and translating.
Simon’s surgery postponed and future plans
After Simon broke his leg and had surgery to put in a plate he has healed well but the plate that remains inside bothers him especially when he plays sports. We were looking into taking him to Australia for the plate removal surgery in December but as we started looking into it we realized that trying to get visas and medical work done so close to the holidays when many offices shut down looked like it could end up to be a problem so we decided to wait until summer. We are looking into tickets to return home as a family just for this coming summer right after Simon graduates. Then after quickly helping Simon get settled in, visiting our friends and family, and getting medical work done we will leave Simon in the USA and return to PNG before the start of school for the kids. Our next regular one-year home assignment is scheduled for three years later when we take Rachel home after she graduates in 2013.
Thanks for praying, David and Shari Ogg