Dear Partners, Friends and Family,
I have highlighted the Biem and Yembi works in our updates many times because I have wanted you to see a work from the beginning. This includes language and cultural learning, pre-evangelism, literacy for the people, bible lesson preparation, teaching, discipleship, translation, ups and downs……………….. Yes, it’s a lot and it takes time to raise up a mature church.
New Tribes Mission is able to present the gospel in a new tribe about every 45-50 days! Our vision is to accelerate that to the gospel being presented in a new work every month. Pray for laborers to train and send.
You play a huge role in partnering with us,
Thank you,
Randy and Laura Damschen
This last week we finished off our 2nd Literacy Class for the Biem. We had 20 men & women finish off the course and come away with the ability to read and write in their own mother tongue. One of their greatest satisfactions is when they get a chance to read their books outside of class time, and in front of their families. The chance to “show off their ‘stuff'” is extremely relished. It’s also been a major mobalizing tool for many who don’t want to be “left out”.
Preparations for sharing the Gospel continue to proceed. Bible translation is such an immense task but we’re blessed to have huge group of Biem guys that can help out with this. In doing rough drafting this last week, we ran into issues describing hail to a culture that has temperatures rarely dipping below 80 degrees. Also describing Gods sorrow as He looked on man’s sinfulness in the time of Noah…personal sorrow is covered in such a vague/broad sense in the Biem culture…the most literal translation of their term: “his inside was not good”. It’s at times like that, that I’m pausing to pray.
A big chunk of our time right now is spent out with the people. The difference between now, and the last couple years, is that we actually have the language ability to delve into more abstract topics. These times are fascinating as we get their takes on life, death, and what happens when they die (to which the overwhelming answer is “I’ve no clue!”). It’s great to be able to tell them that there is someone who knows these answers, and that we’ll be teaching them about Him in just a very short time. Most of these conversations end with a lot of eager folks saying that they can’t wait for the Bible Course to start. Pray that we’ll have the energy and opportunity to have as many of these conversations amongst the 2000 islanders as possible.
Thanks for the prayers guys. I know many are praying for Biem individuals and for our team out here as well.
-Brandon