Worth the Trip

by Karen Weaver

Papua New Guinea

Vine bridge over the Yuat River Photo by Markus Melliger

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?

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 listening to the Scriptures in his language 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.

This story can also be found on Wycliffe.net

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Ethnologue entry for Pinai-Hagahai| Ethnologue: Languages of the World is an encyclopedic reference work cataloging all of the world’s 6,909 known living languages.

PNG map of language group

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{Metzger Ministry Update} May 2012 | "Don't be afraid"

Dear Loved Ones,

It’s hard to believe that it is already May of 2012! This has been a busy year already and we thank God for that. Thank YOU also for being a very important part of our ministry team through encouragement, prayer and partnering with us financially. Each month we are humbled by your generosity and your faithfulness and we realize it is only by God’s grace that we can serve here in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

 

(from left to right: Matthias reading; Matthias, Kassia & Lukas enjoying a cracker while mom was away)

Kurt has enjoyed working at the Communication and Technical Services Department (CTS) this year. His department continues to work on a communications project with the goal of providing each of our regional centers here in PNG with reliable internet access. Since we wrote you last, the regional centers in Buka and in Madang have been connected to the internet. Praise God for this with us! Also, Kurt is involved in working out the best solution for replacing our aging phone system here in Ukarumpa. We are unable to even buy used parts for our current system any longer.

Please pray for the Translators’ Training Course that is taking place from April 25^th through May 30^th. This is a course that helps Papua New Guinean Translators to be better equipped to translate the scriptures into their mother tongue. Kurt was able to help setting up technical equipment for the course to run and is helping with various other computer issues.

 

(Kurt has been able to help national translators with computer issues during the current TTC – Translator Training Course at our Ukarumpa Center)

The kids are doing great. Kassia will be finishing 1^st grade in 5 weeks and she truly loves school! She amazes us as she reads, writes, works on math, social science, and science. Lukas continues to enjoy the two mornings a week when he attends pre-school and he loves his little brother. Matthias is a year and half now and is talking more and more each day.

(from left to right: Kassia & Matthias; Matthias; Lukas & Kassia)

I had the privilege of subbing for Lukas’s teacher a few weeks ago and am going to be subbing for Kassia’s class in the near future. I will also be teaching a High School Spanish class about Colombia this week! It is special for me to get my feet back in the classroom a bit after not teaching since Kassia was born! Of course I have been teaching my kiddos at home and I count that a huge privilege as well.

In April, I was blessed by being able to attend my parents’ 50^th wedding anniversary. We had a beautiful ceremony for them in Bogota, where each one of their four daughters was able to say to them how much we love them and how we thank God for our family! The four sons in law were also able to express their admiration to my parents even through videos and so did their 10 grandchildren.

 

(from left to right: Johanna & her sisters; Johanna’s family at her parents 50^th wedding anniversary celebration)

Praise God with us: that the regional centers in Buka and in Madang have a reliable internet connection now. that our children are growing and thriving. for His faithfulness through 50 years of marriage for Johanna’s parents.

Please pray with us: for the Translators’ Training Course taking place April 25th through May 30th. for the Communication and Technical Services Department as they try to figure out a reliable phone system for Ukarumpa. for continued good health for our family for our relationship with the Lord to become deeper and stronger and that we can become an example to those around us.

May our Lord bless you!

Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, Lukas, and Matthias too!)

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