PNG: Ukarumpa Autoshop

If you are looking for a way to use your mechanic skills to serve in Bible translation and are flexible with a servant heart, please join us.  You are needed!

The Auto Shop at Ukarumpa is critical for the Bible translation efforts around the country. The closest other reliable auto shop is 90 km. away. We had a Hilux truck that we used to get to our village allocation and we are very grateful for the availability and expertise of the Auto Shop staff!e 

The Auto Shop includes:

 -machine shop

-welding fabrication
-small engine repair
-outboard motor repair
-small appliance repair
-parts room
-fuel
-auto body repair

The shop is also helping village teams with their needs, such as generator and airstrip lawn mower repairs.  They are also looking into how to better support and serve the regional centers.

The Auto Shop staff also have 2 weeks a year to minister in another way, such has helping a translator in a village or showing the Jesus film to local villages.

Read Andrew's blog to learn more about life at Ukarumpa and the work in the Auto Shop.

For more information, contact Wendy at pacificbible@hotmail.com

PNG: Children's Home Parent

We served as Children's Home Parents at Ukarumpa for 3 years and loved it!  If you enjoy teens and desire to see the work of Bible translation continue in PNG, this role is for you!

This role and the Children’s Homes are critical for the on-going work of Bible translation in PNG.  We always say, “Happy kids, happy parents.”  If parents know their teens are well-cared for and happy in the Children’s Home, they can better concentrate on their role as a Bible translator or in another vital language role.  When there isn’t anyone available to fulfill this role, often a couple who are doing Bible translation is asked to fill the role for a school term or two. We need you!

The homes allow 7^th -12^th  graders to attend school at Ukarumpa while their parents are in the village. Some students stay for the whole school year while others stay in the homes for various lengths of times. There are 2 to 6 week breaks between each school term and the teens live with their parents during the breaks.

There is a great team there to welcome you and give you the orientation and training that you need to be successful house parents.  English will be used most often but the trade language, Tok Pisin, is easy to learn and you'll enjoy using it to build relationships with the local people.

 What are the homes like?

-You live together as a family. There is a girl's and boy's hall and there are beds for around 7 girls and 7 boys and they might not be filled all year round. Our home had anywhere from 2-14 teens living with us but most often we had 8-10 teens living with us.

-Parents do have a room with their own bathroom.

-Yes, you do have electricity with most of the conveniences of your home country. No dishwasher but lots of hands to wash the dishes! There is house help so clothes and basic care of the house are taken care of and they also can help with some of the cooking.

What does the role involve?

-Organize the day-to-day activities involved in operating and maintaining the home, ensuring smooth operation and a happy, homelike atmosphere.

-Plan and perform maintenance activities such as cleaning, painting and repairs using the assistance of staff available.

-Understand and empathize with children of various ages and nationalities facing the adjustments of cross-cultural situations and living away from parents.

-Provide supportive activities and mature Christian counsel, seeking to care for each child's physical, social, mental and spiritual needs.

-Assist in evening study programs, providing an adequately disciplined climate in which scholastic help is available to complete assignments.

Daily life in a home:

During the week, our teens were often out of the house by 8am and many didn’t return until dinner, although everyone comes home for an hour at lunch time. After dinner clean-up, there was some time for Ping-Pong, games, or just a good chat before study/quiet time from 7-9 pm. Then the house came alive again and we all enjoyed a snack before it was off to bed for all.

The weekends were filled with Sat. morning chores, hanging out, school activities, etc. Often the teens went to the Teen Center for Hamburger Night on Fri. nights with the Ukarumpa community and on Sat. nights, the Teen Center is open only for teens.

Minimum Skills:

-Ability to develop and maintain a happy, caring, and trusting home-like atmosphere.

-Homemaking skills are needed and cooking is an essential part of the job.

-Household management skills and comfortable working with a budget.
-Mature Christians who have demonstrated good parenting skills/positive youth work experiences.
-Home maintenance experience desirable.

-Comfortable working together as a couple for extended time.

Serve for a year or as many as you can give.  If you would like more information on this vital role, please contact Wendy.

PNG: New facility improves women’s access to training opportunities

Catherine Rua of World Vision emphasized
 the role of women in bringing about positive change.



On August 11, 2012, representatives from government and partnering organizations joined SIL leadership to celebrate the opening of a new women’s dormitory at SIL’s regional Training Centre in Ukarumpa, in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The dormitory provides accommodations for up to twenty women. Another twenty-bed addition is planned. In attendance at the opening was the newly elected Member of Parliament for Obura-Wonenara district, Mr. Mehrra Minne Kipeta, who voiced his support for training and his appreciation of the new facility.

The new dormitory facility at the Ukarump
a Training Centre provides housing for up to
twenty women. Another section with an
 additional twenty beds is planned.

SIL PNG’s leadership is encouraged by expanding opportunities for the nation’s women in many fields, including government, education, business and community development. The dormitory provides housing for women who come to Ukarumpa from across PNG for training for leadership in a variety of language development and community development activities, including linguistics, translation and mother-tongue literacy. The campus also provides a men’s dormitory.

In addition to providing the basic need of housing, the new facility will enhance participants’ experience by allowing for fellowship and discussion outside of the formal classroom setting. This safe and secure on-campus option also eliminates the stress of locating suitable temporary lodgings and of travel to campus each day, allowing participants more time and energy to focus on their courses.

Funding for the dormitory was provided by several organizations, including the Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP). Another organization which provided funding as well as design and construction of the building was Wycliffe Associates, an organization staffed by volunteers who donate time to support language development projects around the world.

One of the first guests in the new dorm is Catherine Rua of the international NGO World Vision. Rua came to Ukarumpa to participate in the new course entitled “Literacy, Leadership, Education and Development” (LLEAD),* which equips participants to lead adult literacy and numeracy programs in their local communities. Rua expressed appreciation for SIL’s efforts to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment for female participants. Her address to the dedication audience emphasized the important role of women as agents of positive change in their homes, communities, the workplace and the nation as a whole.

In addition to the dormitories, the Ukarumpa Training Centre has three large classrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and a large dining room beautifully finished in natural PNG timbers, which can accommodate up to two hundred people.

With over eight hundred living languages, PNG may be the most linguistically complex nation in the world. Since 1956 SIL has cooperated with local communities, government ministries and other NGO partners to support language development in nearly four hundred ethnolinguistic communities.

*LLEAD is one of three new stand-alone courses which were formerly combined in a single course known as STEP (Strengthening Tokples Education in PNG). The other newly-independent components are VERA (“Vernacular Education for Rural Areas”) and VEM (“Vernacular Education Modules”), which are designed to equip elementary school teachers in Multilingual Education.

 

PNG Bible Translation Association

"All the Nations" – A celebration of the translation effort in PNG.
20 August, 2012 – Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea – Tim Scott

"Inspiring", "Motivational", "Moving", these were some of the words expressed after the "All the Nations" service on Sunday, August 19th in Ukarumpa, PNG. It was a celebration of Papua New Guinean mother-tongue translation projects produced by SIL and BTA in the past year.

Forty-seven different efforts impacting more than forty language groups were recognised, including six completed New Testaments. Four of these New Testament publications also included portions of the Old Testament. Also receiving recognition were single New and Old Testament books, audio and video Scripture recordings, Jesus films and online publications.
The celebration began with a processional of Papua New Guineans, each holding a translated work that was completed sometime between August 2011 and August 2012. The crowd responded with enthusiastic clapping and cheering, as each participant brought a new translation to the front where they placed them on a display table. One colleague was so excited that he shouted out praise in his own language while walking done the aisle. The processional was followed by an international choir singing "All The Nations ", while a video highlighting the new translations was played in the background.
Many attenders of the celebration are directly involved in the language development and translation work in Papua New Guinea or spend a majority of their time and effort supporting the process. It was a very rewarding time for them to see the results of their labour.

For more information on PNG Bible translation click here.

PNG Bible Translation Association

PNG: Urgent need for medical workers

The Ukarumpa Clinic has some positions that need to filled - now!  Do you have a year or more to give to use your skills to further Bible translation? 

Papua New Guinea is a country of over 800 language groups many of which do not have God's Word. Translators are working hard to bring the Scriptures to the people of PNG and for many them this means living in remote communities without medical facilities. The Clinic provides primary care for these translation teams and for the local community. The work of Bible translation would have a very difficult time moving forward if the clinic is not sufficiently staffed.


Watch a 5 min. video to learn more about the Ukarumpa Clinic by clicking here.
There are open positions for:

2 Doctors

2 or 3 Registered Nurses/Nurse Practitioners/Physician's Assistants

Dental Hygienist

Physical Therapist

Medical Lab Technician

Pharmacist

Clinic Manager  click here for more information

The Ukarumpa Clinic is located in Aiyura Valley in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. To learn more about life there, click here.

If you'd like to more information, email me at pacificbible@hotmail.com

ESL Teacher needed for PNG Bible Translators

God is at work and is raising up Papua New Guineans who want to help translate the Bible into their own language, a wonderful answer to prayer!  A major obstacle for some of them is that they don't know enough English to be able to attend training courses and read all the translation helps and commentaries in English. 

Would you consider using your training to come alongside these men and women to increase their knowledge and understanding of English and encourage them along in their studies?

What qualities are we looking for?

1. A genuine respect for other cultures, a desire to learn from and share one’s knowledge and a real sense of equality as partners in the work.
2. Skills in cross-cultural inter-personal relationships and communication.
3. Good verbal and written English language skills.
4. Competence in Tok Pisin - training provided.

Requirements:

ESL certification and experience
Some SIL classes
Willingness to look to the Lord to provide for their needs through the partnership of individuals and churches that pray and give financially to Wycliffe in support of their ministries.

Most likely you will be based at Ukarumpa but you might travel to one of our 8 regional centers.

Email Wendy for more information.

PNG: Bible Translation Awareness Weekend

Good friends of ours, Jim and Ginny Tomlinson, are currently serving as Madang Center Managers.  The center is used as a hub for translation teams in the Madang Province. 

They shared this encouraging news:


Students from Divine Word and several Madang technological  schools – Friday eve

The last weekend in April a team of volunteers came from Ukarumpa to help us with creating awareness of translation needs for the 100 remaining groups without scripture in Madang province. This initiative was designed to bring awareness and to trust the Lord to move in the hearts of some to become involved in helping in the work. It was a huge success, we were able to see how God had prepared the hearts of the local congregations for this challenge.

Pastors from all across Madang province interested in translation progress

 Friday evening a group of several hundred college students gathered for a praise and worship service which included two hours of in-depth explanation of the what, why and how of doing a translation and the need for indigenous translators and literacy workers to be trained to work in groups still without scripture. Saturday  afternoon Jim and few others spoke to a group of pastors attending their denominational conference. They serve in villages throughout the province and want their people to help with next steps towards needed translations. We will follow up with these groups. Sunday morning the group divided up going to 7 different churches each giving a presentation as part of the morning services. Church times are very flexible and invitations to share about translation of scriptures ranged from 40 minutes to 2 hours in length with most churches opting for the longer presentation.

Managers are needed in Papua New Guinea!

One of the greatest needs/roles we have in the work of Bible translation is managers and administrators. Did you know that the managerial skills you have could be used to further Bible translation? These are critical-mission roles and when they aren't filled, quite often a Bible translator is asked to fill a role until someone else can take over.  Thus, serving in this role not only contributes to the Bible translation efforts in all of Papua New Guinea, it also might allow a translator to continue in their work.

Click here to learn more about the opportunities and see all the manager/administrator roles that are needed.  If you have further questions you can email manager_recruiting@wycliffe.org or pacificbible@hotmail.com

School Teachers are needed in Papua New Guinea

I have a special place in my heart for MK (missionary kid) teachers.  Not only have they blessed me by teaching our kids while we were at Ukarumpa but they played an important part in each of our children's lives.  I am so thankful to God for bringing teachers to PNG!  One of the greatest need in missions is for MK teachers. If the kids are happy and taken care of, the parents are happy and can continue on in their work.

Here's a short video from a teacher at Ukarumpa.

If we don't have enough teachers, usually a translator is asked to fill the need until someone else can take over.  If you're a teacher, would you be willing to give a year or 2 or 3 or ? to be involved in Bible translation by using your skills as a teacher?  We have needs for traditional teacher roles as well as non-traditional teacher roles.

Read more about the needs here. 

Ukarumpa International School website

For more information about Ukarumpa click here.

What lengths would you take to hear God's Word?

Worth the Trip
by Karen Weaver

What would you be willing to do to hear God's Word in your language? Would you hike for half a day? Would you cross a rugged mountain? Would you navigate a vine bridge suspended over a raging river?

Vine bridge over the Yuat River
Phot by Markus Melliger

That's what Wapena Mei did in order to obtain a small solar-powered device that has a recording of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts in the Pinai-Hagahai language. You see, Wapena knew it would be worth the trip because he had already been listening to the oral Scriptures for more than a year. But when his family's player broke and they learned that 70 more would be distributed in a village across the mountain, his wife gave him the charge, "Go and get us another one of those MegaVoice units."

Wapena was successful in his mission and he and his wife Makome will again be able to listen to the Pinai-Hagahai Scriptures in their small dwelling as they go to sleep at night. Wapena also uses it as a resource to prepare sermons for preaching in area churches.

Wapena Mei listending to Scriptures
Photo by Karen Weaver

Convinced that God's Word is applicable to every area of life, Wapena is eager to share the truth with others. Because hospitals are not easily accessible to everyone, the Papua New Guinean government trains people to work at Aid Posts in remote areas. Wapena is one of those aid post workers. As he does his job, he does not forget the Scriptures he's heard. When he hands out medicine he tells the men, "You can swallow these pills, but they won't do you any good if you take another man's wife."

Hearing God's Word daily keeps it in the forefront of Wapena's heart and mind. Now that he has a way to continue hearing God's talk, Wapena will keep sharing that Good News with others in his home, his church, and in his work. Yes, it was definitely worth the trip.

 Read more about the revival amongst the Pinai-Hagahai.