Warning! Don’t Read That Revelation Book!

September 21, 2020

When we were getting ready to translate the book of Revelation, we were studying the book and getting very excited about working through it. However, our Lusi mother tongue helpers didn’t have the same reaction. They told us like this. “The religion we used to be in forbade us from reading that book. They said, […]

Stories From The Comprehension Checking Files: Collocate . . . What?

September 13, 2019

I had a great vocabulary word, but my mother tongue taper wouldn't let me use it that way. Often, as we hit bumps or walls in our translation work, our helpers have a difficult time telling us why things don’t work or how to overcome or get around a difficulty. This is one of those stories.

Miscommunication Can Happen Even When We Try To Avoid It

September 8, 2019

Miscommunication still happens, even when we are trying our hardest for it not to happen. This story is an excellent example of why we have so many steps – and so much checking – built into our translation work! True, it will take many years to get the whole Bible translated into Lusi, but, by the grace of God, there will be the fewest errors possible.

Rude Cultural Signal OR Is”Christ Is More Important”?

August 18, 2018

Recently in a team meeting, I was reminded that rude gestures are NOT the same in different cultures.

How Do You Start Training New Believers To Be Bible Teachers?

August 4, 2018

When cultures collide, Bible Teacher training involves challenging uninspected worldviews.

How Could I Not Reach the Unreached? Anji’s Story

February 24, 2016

How did I get started on this incredible journey to work with national co-workers to reach the unreached and translate the Bible into a tribal language?

What Do Dirt and the Bible Have in Common?

October 30, 2015

People ask us why we're attempting to translate the whole Bible and not just the New Testament. When we were young missionaries in training, we thought, "Hey, PNG has the whole Bible in the trade language, so we only need to translate the New Testament into the heart language." We have since needed to repent of that.

“I Need To Find Myself a Tree”

October 31, 2013

Anthony said, "Just like Zacchaeus found his tree, I need to find my tree, so that Jesus can find me."

Multiplying Ourselves: Assisting the Mouk to Reach the Lusi . . . and the Anem and the Kove

September 18, 2012

It's a big job -- learning someone else's language and culture so that we can speak to them clearly. Where does anyone begin? In NTM we know where to begin because we have consultants, and training, and helps in English. But what about the local churches whom we are assisting here in PNG, where do they start? Let me tell you a story which started this summer . . . .

The Mind of Man Plans His Way, But the Lord Directs His Steps

February 7, 2011

As we look back over the history of our work here in the Island’s Region we can see the truth of Proverbs 16:9. As westerners we like to plan and know what is going to happen next. However, God often has other plans that are bigger and better than we can even dream of. For […]