Jim has now been gone for seven weeks with four to go. But a major praise is that he has finished the first draft of the Dom New Testament. We must admit that there were times over the years that we wondered if we would ever get to this point. This separation has been worth it to finish this major part of the translation project. He has also finished the comprehension checking of 2 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Peter. They are now working on 2 Timothy. He will be leaving the Dom on November 25th, having Thanksgiving with friends and then leaving Goroka on December 1, overnighting in the capital, overnighting in Brisbane and then arriving in San Diego on December 3. While waiting he can be working on the Back to English of the books that they have done the comprehensive checking on. This Back to English is for one of the final checks that is done with a translation consultant sometime when we return. Just to clarify, there is a lot yet to do on finalizing the New Testament before we can print it, but finishing the first draft is a huge step in that direction.
Gena, Jim’s translation helper, and another Christian, had a falling out. It was not anything Gena had done, but his wife. Gena has tried to settle things with Bapka, but Bapka only wants money and won’t come to church or talk to Gena until such a time. Jim has been able to talk to Bapka several times encouraging him to forgive, that his heart attitude and walk with the Lord are more important than money. Bapka thanked Jim and said he would think about it. Pray that he would get his heart right with God and take care of things the Christian way, not the Dom way.
Kapia Joseph, at the other Dom church, continues to have outreaches and working with the new believers from the other outreach he did. His daughter Carol has completed High School which is a great feat for any Dom person, especially a girl. She now wants to go to nursing school which is expensive so pray for them that they can find the funds.