Postings: Scripture Dedications in PNG

Scripture Dedications

Over the last year or so in Papua New Guinea (PNG), there have been MANY Scripture dedications in multiple different languages.  We celebrated these as a mission community and we’ve wanted to send an update about it ever since.

Papua New Guineans represented the people groups around the country who had received Scripture in their own language:

Celebrating Scripture in many languages
Celebrating Scripture in many languages

New Testament/New Testament plus Old Testament Portions

4 languages (including Hinsaal-Patpatar , Urat, and Yopno) received full New Testaments, and 3 languages (Dedua, Wantoat, and Waris) received full New Testaments and portions of the Old Testament.

Kasua New Testament
Kasua New Testament

Mini Bibles

13 different languages (including Anuki, Are, and Buhutu) received Mini Bibles: an overview of the Bible created from portions of many different New Testament and Old Testament books.

Kuniawa Mini Bible
Kuniawa Mini Bible

Scripture Portions

Before publishing a full New Testament, translators will often publish portions of Scripture.  This can include books like Genesis and Luke published in the Adzera language or Mark, Colossians, Titus, and Philemon published in the Teop language.  5 different languages received Scripture portions over this last year.  We love to see Scripture get into the hands of the people as soon as it is available.

The Bible is like an open book in your own language.
The Bible is like an open book in your own language.

Languages Impacted

In total, 33 different languages received Scripture in the last year in PNG.  Praise God!  I (James) have personally worked with several of these languages since we came to PNG in 2011.  We are grateful for the opportunity to be involved in translating Scripture into the languages of PNG.

Prayer and Praise

  • Praise: The Paratext 8 Workshop that James helped run went well and had about 20 participants.
  • Prayer: For upcoming Paratext Courses, often attended by 10-20 Papua New Guinean Bible translators.
  • Prayer: We leave for PNG on July 19th!
  • Prayer: That God would provide the funds we need to serve in PNG.

Thank you for your partnership in our ministry,

James and Christina