In his grace,
Martins' Memos News Briefs |
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| Ukarumpa | Papua New Guinea |
March 2000 |
Medical trip becomes 100% holiday
Two days before leaving Dallas on their trip back to Papua New Guinea (PNG), Lenore’s gynecologist called and said that an endometrial biopsy done weeks before had revealed she had at least one benign uterine polyp. Since it was discovered so close to the Martin’s travel date, and since it was benign, the Martins decided to wait until returning to PNG before taking care of it. After consulting with the Ukarumpa doctor and determining that the needed procedure could not be done within PNG, they decided to make a trip to Cairns Australia and have the medical procedure done there. They reasoned that after a week or so to recuperate, they might be able to enjoy another week of holiday. E-mail letters went out asking for prayer for the situation.
The day after the Martins arrived in Cairns, they met with a gynecologist there. He recommended a high-tech scan be done that afternoon before doing a D&C. The next day the doctor called and said that the scan was 100% normal and that there were no uterine polyps at all! The Martins rejoiced that apparently the Lord had healed or removed any existing polyps, and that Bill and Lenore were now free to spend their two weeks in Cairns entirely for holiday!
The Martins had a wonderful holiday relaxing and visiting the many interesting sights in and around Cairns, Australia.
Y2K transition uneventful even in Papua New Guinea
"There is a Lindrou woman going around in the Lindrou villages telling people that the world will end on January 1st 2000 because of the Y2K bug," said Charles on the two-way radio, "but I don’t think the people trust her. I have my computer here in the village and have told people here that I am a Christian and am not afraid of any Y2K bug. I plan to have it on and running when the new millennium arrives to show them I have confidence in the Lord that nothing bad will happen from this Y2K bug."
In a few areas of PNG there were some reports that a few "cargo cult" leaders were predicting disaster at midnight December 31st, followed by the promise of western goods being sent to cult adherents from dead ancestors in the new millennium. Needless to say, the scare-mongers were wrong in PNG as in other parts of the world, and the Lord still has a good deal of work left for his people to do in this old world!
Team to have 26% of Lindrou NT consultant checked in March-April
Bill and Charles are asking for prayer as they as setting aside about four months this year to complete the consultant checking of the Lindrou New Testament, and other checks that need to be done before typesetting in February 2001. Pray that the checking process will do more than just help insure that the original meaning is preserved in the translation. There will be three Lindrou men who are coming from Manus specifically to help with the checking. See the enclosed story of Joe Bwisikalei’s experience and how he came to know the Lord through this technical process. Your prayers for the three men (Isaac, Lazarus and Luther) would be greatly appreciated too.
Manus teams and Vision 2025
In mid February, four Manus translation teams gathered together to discuss strategy for the whole Manus region which covers 29 language groups. They looked at previous strategies and discussed how translation programs might be established to make God’s Word available to all the groups of Manus that need it by the year 2025.
From the beginning the best strategy for Manus has called for Manus people to be involved and trained as national translators for their own people. Pray for additional advisors to come to PNG and help train Manus people in the language areas that have recently requested help in establishing Bible translation programs. Pray also that the best strategies will be developed to reach all the remaining groups in Manus Province needing a translation. The Lindrou New Testament will be the first New Testament to be completed with significant participation of Manus people working as national translators!
The Bible League to fund printing of Lindrou NT
Charles and Bill have made application to The Bible League in the USA for assistance in underwriting the cost of publishing the Lindrou New Testament in 2001. If you or your Church would be interested in helping the Bible League raise funds for the Lindrou New Testament, please let the Martins know.
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| We thank you for your part in the ministry of Bible Translation for the
Lindrou people of Manus. In his grace, |
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| Bill and Lenore Martin |