Just when I thought I had writer's block... I can't not tell you about what happened today.
I was in the survey office when a PNG man (who works in our telephone department here) came in to talk to me and my co-worker. He asked for a copy of the Scripture Use survey report we wrote last year on his language - where the New Testament was dedicated 25 years ago, but is no longer being used. He and another employee want to do something, anything, to get people to use the vernacular Scriptures. I told him I'd send some emails and see what I could find out.
As I wrote an email to a number of different people in the organization, I didn't have much hope that anything would come of my request because we are so short staffed, but I felt like I just had to ask what we can do to help. Not two hours after I sent my email one of my co-workers stopped by the office and said she might be able to help. In a "reply all" email she said "I am really interested in this project." And she would be a great person for the job!
Nothing is set in stone, or even wet concrete, yet, but I am praising God that something might be able to be done to help these people (over 45,000 people!) have access to and use the New Testament in their language!
(Update: Soon after my co-worker replied to my email, another person replied and said "I would be happy to provide any consulting that you or other potential participants in the project might desire." Yay!)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Writer's Block
I haven't posted anything for awhile and there's a reason, although not a great one: I've had writer's block.
It's not that I haven't been writing - I've been working on a number of writing projects at work, like writing conclusions for a survey that happened five years ago but was never finished, and writing a prayer profile for a group we surveyed last fall.
Since I'm also the office manager for the language offices now (since May), I've been busy dealing with computer problems, listing our assets for insurance, signing purchase orders, doing reimbursements, checking time cards, and fielding questions coming in from every side.
As I'm leaving in less than four weeks, I've been training one of my newest survey co-workers to take over some parts of the job that I used to do - like using our powerful mapping software and analyzing survey word lists on the computer.
More jobs like these await me in my next few weeks in the office. I've got a list stuck to the wall and I'm working the best I can, with all the interruptions that come with being the manager, to cross things off the list one by one.
Hopefully it won't be so long again until my next post, but if you don't hear from me, assume I'm busy doing one of my many jobs, packing and cleaning my house, doing volunteer work, or maybe just having writer's block again. :-)
PS I've also been writing a newsletter - look for it in your email later this week. If you don't normally get my newsletters but you want to, send me an email and add you to my list.
It's not that I haven't been writing - I've been working on a number of writing projects at work, like writing conclusions for a survey that happened five years ago but was never finished, and writing a prayer profile for a group we surveyed last fall.
Since I'm also the office manager for the language offices now (since May), I've been busy dealing with computer problems, listing our assets for insurance, signing purchase orders, doing reimbursements, checking time cards, and fielding questions coming in from every side.
As I'm leaving in less than four weeks, I've been training one of my newest survey co-workers to take over some parts of the job that I used to do - like using our powerful mapping software and analyzing survey word lists on the computer.
More jobs like these await me in my next few weeks in the office. I've got a list stuck to the wall and I'm working the best I can, with all the interruptions that come with being the manager, to cross things off the list one by one.
Hopefully it won't be so long again until my next post, but if you don't hear from me, assume I'm busy doing one of my many jobs, packing and cleaning my house, doing volunteer work, or maybe just having writer's block again. :-)
PS I've also been writing a newsletter - look for it in your email later this week. If you don't normally get my newsletters but you want to, send me an email and add you to my list.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Back from Walagu
After three weeks away from email and internet access, I'm back! I was in a remote village, Walagu, in the Southern Highlands Province of PNG, recording parts of the Onobasulu New Testament.
It was the first time I'd ever visited Walagu, but my friend Joy who I went with has been there quite a few times. Two girls on a Discovery trip also went along to help out and see what village life is like.
Despite village noises (roosters crowing, children crying, and men building houses), we were able to do all the recording we'd planned to do - all of Colossians and James and selected chapters of Matthew. After we'd finished recording, I worked on editing the sound files and was mostly finished with that by the time we left.
On Monday, I'm back to work for three more weeks before I start packing in earnest and leave PNG on August 23. There's a lot to do before then!
[Note: Due to technical difficulties, I've not put any pictures in this post, but you can see pictures of the recording and much, much more at Joy's blog: http://joyellen.wordpress.com. Enjoy (and leave her a comment if you do)!]
It was the first time I'd ever visited Walagu, but my friend Joy who I went with has been there quite a few times. Two girls on a Discovery trip also went along to help out and see what village life is like.
Despite village noises (roosters crowing, children crying, and men building houses), we were able to do all the recording we'd planned to do - all of Colossians and James and selected chapters of Matthew. After we'd finished recording, I worked on editing the sound files and was mostly finished with that by the time we left.
On Monday, I'm back to work for three more weeks before I start packing in earnest and leave PNG on August 23. There's a lot to do before then!
[Note: Due to technical difficulties, I've not put any pictures in this post, but you can see pictures of the recording and much, much more at Joy's blog: http://joyellen.wordpress.com. Enjoy (and leave her a comment if you do)!]
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