Gene had blisters on his hands from fighting the steering wheel through and around mud holes and deep muddy truck tracks. Carol had sore toes and teeth from clenching them every time she looked out her window and saw that because of going around a deep mud hole her side of the truck was along the edge of a steep dropoff. Four hours and 45 miles from our village we were quite relieved to finally be on a paved road – until three days later when we reversed the route!
The reason for that trip in our mud truck was to take some Manubu’ believers out to the highway so they could visit some Manubu’ villages off the highway to see if there are villages where the people would be interested in listening to the evangelistic phase of the teaching – and of course beyond that if they listen and believe. (We call that a survey).
Three Manubu’ Bible teachers, Piduy, Pulding, and Sagli plus another believer, Bugoy, who has relatives in a number of Manubu’ villages out that way, did the surveying. Because it rained all the time and because Bugoy became sick the survey lasted for only three days. They found that the villages they visited would not be prime places to start an outreach as the younger generation is losing their Manubu’ language. However, through visiting those villages and talking with people along the way they learned of many more Manubu’ villages which are further off the highway so have more potential for outreach and establishing Manubu’ churches.
The guys who did the survey are excited about surveying those other villages when dry season starts which is around mid March and including any more villages they hear of.
While the guys were visiting Manubu’ village we were looking over towns along the highway. As we are without partners now Gene has been having to spend too much time away from translation and Bible lesson development in order to maintain the truck, the airstrip 5 miles away, motorcycle, generator, river crossing raft, solar system etc. Plus handling tools stirs up the arthritis in his fingers, and he needs to save them for typing on the computer :-).
So, after more prayer and survey if it becomes clear that the Lord would have us relocate to another Manubu’ area where we can live in a town on the highway and have access to mechanics, carpenters etc then we would relocate. We would have to take at least one translation helper and family with us and support them as they would be away from their land. As our translation helpers are also gifted teachers of the Word of God we would want to locate where there are Manubu’ who want to listen to their teaching – hence the surveys.
We’re country people so prefer jungle over town. But, servants don’t say when or where so whenever and wherever the Lord leads we’re ready.
So PLEASE PRAY that as the guys do more survey in the coming year the Lord will lead them to Manubu’ villages where hearts are prepared to listen to God’s Word, and we would see many saved and go on to serve Him.
One idea the translation helpers have is to plant rubber trees and coconut trees on their land here so they will eventually have an ongoing source of income. Please PRAY that the Manubu’ believers here in our village would be willing to take care of the rubber trees, coconut trees and rice farms of the translation helpers who relocate with us if we relocate.
PRAY for safety for the guys when they survey as they will be traveling via motorcycle on the highway and some rough trails.
PRAY too for wisdom and endurance for us as we push on to do a final revision of our Bible lessons and then on to more OT translation and making a topical concordance and other study and teaching aides.
If the Lord opens doors for relocation we’ll be glad to do that. If he doesn’t, we’ll be content to continue on where we are now.
Isn’t it exciting to think that the Word of God might spread out now to Manubu’ in places farther away than every reached before?
We plan to be in the States July through September this coming year and are presently scheduling our visits to our supporting churches and individuals. Hope to see you then :-). Please PRAY for the Lord’s provision of a car good for a lot of traveling while we’re in the States.