Our Trip to Kenya                  
Archive: December 2007

Helen in HIV MovieIn October, we traveled to Nairobi, Kenya for an HIV AIDS conference sponsored by the Forum of Bible Agencies International (FOBAI).  Helen represented the Pacific ares of SIL and our work in PNG. Here we see a scene of two lions from our Safari in the Masai Mara region.

Some people wonder what HIV AIDS has to do with Bible Translation, but the motivation is quite simple.  1)  Part of our work involves literacy and the best materials to translate are those wanted by the people group.  AIDS is a big issue in PNG now.  2) After 15 years of work, it would not be good to have a third of your target audience unable to read the finished New Testament simply because they are either too ill or not around!  Good education is key in helping people learn how to avoid infection and the time is now.  Later will definitely be too late... PNG has the fastest rising HIV incidence in the Asia Pacific area and one of the fastest growing epidemics in the world.

But after the Conference went on holiday......
See our travel photos»

Massive Flooding in Oro Province

Oro Province hit by GubaTropical Cyclone Guba stuck Papua New Guinea and there were major floods in Oro Province.  Look for Popondetta on the maps.  According to the Reuters News Agency, the floods have killed 163 people, with 1,000 homes destroyed.  Thousands of people have fled the region. Roads and tracks have been washed away, and relief efforts are made more difficult due to the mountainous terrain.

We continue to get reports of the devastation caused by the flooding in that region. Thousands of people have been severely impacted, including people in a number of language groups where SIL and BTA have translation work.  We have already assisted in some ways using our aircraft, and expect to be involved more specifically in those areas where we have working relationships.     — Director, SIL PNG Branch

Further they are still having intermittent rains in parts of the province. In some areas the waters are subsiding and in other areas there is still flooding.  As with other disasters, health authorities are concerned about the spread of disease.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare chaired an emergency cabinet meeting on the disaster and said the flooding had affected about 145,000 people.  Volunteers from aid agencies in New Zealand and Australia have been sent to Papua New Guinea following the disaster. USAID has also been involved.  " PNG Defence Force and Navy aircraft and vessels have been dispatched to affected areas with relief supplies.  The PNG Red Cross Society (PNGRCS) has shipped 1,700 tarpaulins and 800 water containers to Popondetta. Up to 50 local volunteers have been trained to assist with disaster assessment and distribution of emergency relief supplies. A watsan expert arrived late last week and three specialists are due in-country to establish and maintain a 5,000 liter/hour water purification plant."  <Relief Web site>.

The situation is very sad.  We need a massive relief effort to stop people starving.
— Local police spokesman, D. Terry

Continue to pray for wisdom for our leaders in government circles and various relief agencies that they will be able to assist the most needy people of Oro Province first.

Reuters report with short video »


God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.  — Psalms 46:1-3



Large Earthquake Hits Close to Home

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake violently shook eastern Papua New Guinea on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  The epicenter of the quake was located 100 km (60 miles) north of Lae, Papua New Guinea, the agency said.

ANHS Cool ShadesNow earthquakes are not uncommon in Papua New Guinea and we experience them all the time, but this one's "shake" was evidently powerful enough to raise concern even as far away as Ukarumpa where we live in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

In the Port City of Lae, evidently the damage was quite extensive with many water tanks and water lines damaged.  The Lae International Hotel reports that many guest rooms had televisions that were knocked to the floor and damaged.

Hannah Cockerill, a socio-linguistic surveyor, and presently staying at our house at Ukarumpa, reports that our fresh water, catchment tanks have survived intact and that our house is fine.

Insights into Papua New Guinea Life

ANHS Cool ShadesHere is the entrance to our photographic favorites.  Come journey to the "land of the unexpected" as seen in our eyes after 20 years of ministry in this fair country.
See More from Years 2006 and 2005»

Higher Resolution Photos are freely available upon request.  Just email and let us know what you would like.


Back on Furlough — June to January 2008

Just back and it took forever to get over our jet lag upon our return. Here is our latest newsletter, recently published in September, 2007.
Read More »

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
— Proverbs 16:9

We have plenty of plans and our calendar is filling up fast with speaking engagements, but in the end, it is the Lord that enables us to go to this place or the next.  We welcome your prayers for traveling safety.

Helen Has Her PALS Teaching Certificate

Helen with PatientThanks for your prayers.  Helen is now certified by the American Heart Association as a PALS (Paediatric Advanced Life Support) instructor.  She has had the opportunity to teach PALS at a local hospital which she has enjoyed.  Her desire is to now teach PALS to our PNG clinic staff and have them certified as PALS providers.  This will improve the care we give to the seriously ill children who attend out clinic in PNG, both PNG nationals and the expatriate missionary children who sometimes have severe illness.


So What Does Brian Do Anyway?

Brian's work, being the quintessential techie, is a little harder to explain.  Think computers and you are part-way there.  Think about the difficulty of representing languages on a computer and perhaps your "eyes start to glaze over" because the English speaking world basically does not have any problems with modern computers.  The assumption is that the rest of the world is the same.  Not true.  Brian is part of a world-wide team creating our fourth generation software to facilitate the analysis of formerly unwritten languages.  

Baseline TextOne aspect of the work is helping the Unicode Consortium not forget the minority languages with unusual needs in Papua New Guinea.  Another aspect is providing feedback to world developers creating the software that renders complex scripts around the world, particularly in Asia.  Read More »

Fast link to short video on SIL Graphite technology.  See Video »

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;
— Revelation 7:9