Back from the Wagi Survey

Earlier this afternoon I got back from the Wagi language survey and a day in Madang. 

How did the survey go?

The survey went well.  We were warmly welcomed in each of the five villages and were able to complete all of our research work in the area.  I did interviews with local pastors, church elders, and headmasters of schools.  In all I did 9 church interviews and 4 school interviews.  We traveled around by truck, stayed in the homes of local people, and ate with them.

What was the goal of the survey?

Years ago, Bible translation work was begun in Wagi, but the translator got sick and had to leave.  He's never been able to come back, but the Papua New Guinean men he worked with have continued on with some translation work.  These three translators are now getting involved with TTC (Translators' Training Course) at Ukarumpa.  (TTC teaches national translators how to translate the Bible into their own languages, using a modular and practical approach.)

The goal of our survey is to produce a report that will help these men and the missionaries assisting them to know the best direction for their translation program: if children are using the language, they will probably continue with translation and produce some books, but if children aren't using or learning the language and it seems like it is dying out, then they may try to make Scripture accessible to older people more quickly by producing recordings. 

What are you going to be doing now?

We're going to work on writing the report over the next few weeks, working around a linguistics conference next week and two weeks of meetings in the end of March and beginning of April.

How can I pray for you?

- Pray for us (the survey team) as we will be very busy working on the report as well as attending a conference and meetings; that we'll find time to work on the report and not be too stressed

-Pray for the translators (Dagantin, Selwin, & Rex), the newly formed translation committee, and others involved with the Wagi translation; for encouragement, direction, and ability to work together well

-Pray for the TTC course that will be coming up in April; some translators will have trouble getting money together to pay their tuition