New Publisher Found
We have been through all kinds of thoughts and emotions over the last 6 to 9 months over the delay in printing the Simbari Bible. Thankfully over the last several weeks we were able to personally establish contact with another company to print the Simbari Bible. The company is Royal Jongbloed in the Netherlands, they produce high quality Bibles and were willing to take on our project even though they are very busy. One of our coworkers from another language group bordering the Simbari area used this company to print a Bible translation 14 years ago and the Bibles have held up well in the humid PNG climate. After establishing contact with this other publishing company and sorting out the details regarding paper type, cover materials, binding, etc. we signed a contract and they have ordered the paper. A few days ago we received the digital proofs from the publisher and are reviewing them. We made a slight alignment adjustment for the title on the cover but everything else looks good so far. They expect it to be completed in June which is only a few months away. Please pray that there are no more delays.
Recording Audio Bible and Drafting of Ruth
We have continued to record the Simbari Audio Bible and are up to Genesis chapter 20. We already have about 3000 Old Testament verses translated but have plans for at least 5000 more. Since we last wrote we have begun drafting the book of Ruth and are almost done with the third chapter. What an amazing story of faith. Ruth, for the sake of her faith, would not return home and was insistent in following her mother-in-law to a foreign land where she would most likely be treated as a cultural outsider. She says: “where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” In Simbari that last part looks like this: “Aki gumoro a’mwo abolo ton moro a’mwo abolo nonyumo’nupinogono. Aki gumoro Gooti tool numoro Gooti nonyumo’nonekono.” We are so thankful for the opportunity to translate more OT scriptures for the Simbari church. Thanks for your prayers and support of the Simbari ministry.
Happenings…
Opportunity!
Did you know that the skills you use in the professional world may also be a benefit on the mission field? You could serve a vital role in tribal church planting in Papua New Guinea for 6 months and up to four years through the Associate Program offered through Ethnos360. Pray about how God might use you on the mission field in a support role.
Use Your Professional Skills Anywhere (4:37) Video Link
Check out the current openings at https://ethnos360.org/go/skilled-associate-program
David and Shari