A year and a half living amongst the Mengen people, about 520 days of language and culture study, ten days of a translation workshop at our support center and I have been able to translate the first chapter of the book of Ruth. These are exciting and encouraging day and I thank God for allowing me to be able to go and complete the translation workshop. We take eight steps to ensure that our translations communicate the original meaning of the source text whilst striving to stay true to the word of God.
Some work I have on my plate as we return to the bush is to translate some literacy materials into Mengen and then the rest of the book of Ruth. Translation consultants will use these materials I translate to check out the quality of my translation work. They will then certify me, if my work is up to scratch, and then I could start to translate other scriptures into Mengen. Please pray Annika will continue to develop in her language ability so she two can join the work of translation and discipleship. She enjoyed helping me in some of the translation checks and saved me loads of time.
We go back to live amongst the Mengen people tomorrow; we are excited to continue the work and to see our friends again! Simon has a few weeks prep before his next language evaluation; possibly his last – please be praying! I would then start to write a series of lessons to be checked out by a consultant, which would in turn enable me to write my own lessons and start teaching – formal language learning would be over!! Annika will also have her next language evaluation, pray she will be encouraged by the results and by the direction and help the consultant will give her. It is a hard job raising two little fireballs like Nya and Noah, never mind learning a tribal language as well. But Annika is doing a great Job and I am so proud of her, please keep us all in your prayers.
We should be having our final language check towards the end of Feb, a tentative date would be the 17th-23rd Feb. All being well we would start to fit into the work, teaching, discipleship, translation work etc. Please pray for this transition and pray for us as a team as we assess and evaluate the way we are doing things; we are always looking for better ways to teach and disciple. We look forward to a visit from our church planting consultant who can help us with strategy for the future.
Continue to pray that we will stay healthy, encouraged and passionate about the work God has us doing. It is such an important work and one that is changing lives, but sometimes in our setting it is easy to be overwhelmed by the grind of life and the attacks of the enemy. Pray God will be our strength as we stay close to Him. We will most likely not be out on break from the bush until the end of May, we will send you more updates during that time.
Please continue to bring us and the Mengen church before the throne of God. We need and value your prayers; join with us in the battle for souls and Gods glory amongst the Mengen people.
Much love in Christ,
Simon, Annika, Nya and Noah
