The speakers and most of the guests who came for the Malei New Testament dedication (middle of this month, see earlier postings) sat on the special platform that another village designed and built specially for the dedication. 
Then John Lindstrom, the Wycliffe Bible translator, spoke to the people in their own language. The difference in the attentiveness and responses to what John was saying was immediately apparent. This is what drives Wycliffe Bible Translators during all the hard work and sacrifice, seeing people understand and engage in communication so much better and, when engaging with the God of the universe, we can only pray that they will come to know and love God very deeply.
Because of situations like this, it is so much easier here than at home in the US to glimpse a picture about what it will be like in heaven, all varieties of cultures worshipping God in different ways. Julie and I are so thankful to have had this perhaps-once-in-a-lifetime chance to serve outside the US. Because most people in leading world countries will never experience this themselves first hand, we hope to find a way to describe the difference in understanding in one's "mother tongue" when we get home.
At the start of this year, we had no idea of the changes we'd experience during 2010 and have no certainty now of what even 2011 will look like. Still, by God's grace, we have gained a little better idea of what eternity will look like.
If you have joined us in our Wycliffe journey through prayer, encouragement and/or through financial support, we send our love and thanks for all that you are doing for us. We see the fruits of your work on our behalf daily.
If you just happened to stumble across this blog and, after scanning this and earlier postings, still wonder at what might have brought us to where Julie and I are now, we'd love to interact with you. We would wish you to understand more about God, his amazing grace provided through Jesus, and the claim and call God places on each person's life. Drop us an email (jon_limmer at wycliffe.org).
Have a blessed and rewarding 2011 (and into eternity) because of the Lord of the universe.
It was an amazing bird design, complete with wings, beak, eyes, feathers and a tail. It had a soft mat floor that was still strong enough to support us (and some of us were not lightweights). It held comfortable plastic chairs and there as a relatively cool sun-free breeze passing through. (Many of those sitting on the bamboo pole benches outside needed umbrellas to provide shade.)
These speakers included the governor of Morobe (one of 19 regions/provinces within Papua New Guinea), several pastors/leaders within the Lutheran church, and a representative from the US embassy. Except for the US spokesman (who didn't speak one word of Tok Pisin, the trade language of this country, much less one word of the Male people's heart language), most speakers used Tok Pison. The people understand Tok Pison just fine because of their need to communicate with others outside their area and because Tok Pison is used in the small 3 room valley school.
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| John speaking God's words to the people in their mother tongue |
Because of situations like this, it is so much easier here than at home in the US to glimpse a picture about what it will be like in heaven, all varieties of cultures worshipping God in different ways. Julie and I are so thankful to have had this perhaps-once-in-a-lifetime chance to serve outside the US. Because most people in leading world countries will never experience this themselves first hand, we hope to find a way to describe the difference in understanding in one's "mother tongue" when we get home.
At the start of this year, we had no idea of the changes we'd experience during 2010 and have no certainty now of what even 2011 will look like. Still, by God's grace, we have gained a little better idea of what eternity will look like.
If you have joined us in our Wycliffe journey through prayer, encouragement and/or through financial support, we send our love and thanks for all that you are doing for us. We see the fruits of your work on our behalf daily.
If you just happened to stumble across this blog and, after scanning this and earlier postings, still wonder at what might have brought us to where Julie and I are now, we'd love to interact with you. We would wish you to understand more about God, his amazing grace provided through Jesus, and the claim and call God places on each person's life. Drop us an email (jon_limmer at wycliffe.org).
Have a blessed and rewarding 2011 (and into eternity) because of the Lord of the universe.
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