Martins' Memos News Briefs |
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| Ukarumpa | Papua New Guinea |
July 2001 |
Martins celebrate 30 years!
From May 8th through May 11th Bill treated Lenore to a surprise trip to the Madang Resort Hotel. On May 8th they celebrated 30 years of married life together. They have spent more than two-thirds of their married life living and ministering overseas.
Furlough Plans
Bill and Lenore plan to take an 8-month furlough in the USA from November this year until June 2002. After spending a month in California, they will be traveling across the USA in December. They plan to meet up with Jason in the Dallas area and then travel up to New Hampshire to spend Christmas with Joel and Becky in Nashua. They plan to return to Papua New Guinea in June 2002 to attend the July 2002 dedication of the Lindrou New Testament.
Study Program
"Lenore has supported me through two study programs and through the completion of the New Testament in the Lindrou language," says Bill. "I think it is only right for me to support her now through the completion of her study goals. First, she hopes to complete the BA degree she never had a chance to complete, then do graduate studies in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language)." Bill adds, "In this day and age it may be possible for her to accomplish some of her studies via e-mail and on-line courses.
Adapt It
From mid June to mid July Bill and Charles were involved in testing a new computer program created by fellow translator Bruce Waters, called Adapt It. Three Manus men who speak Lindrou in addition to their own Manus mother tongue, came to Ukarumpa to participate in the test. During a three-week period they translated the books of Ruth, 1 Timothy and several chapters of the Gospel of Mark, using the Lindrou translation as their "source language." With the help of the Adapt It program, they were able to generate an acceptable 1st draft of those Scripture portions into their own Manus languages. The results were significant, since the three languages represented had never had any previous linguistic work or translation attempted in them. The three Manus men involved had also not had any prior experience working with computers, and yet with a little training, were able to draft the equivalent of about 5% of the New Testament in the thee-week period.
Belden and Charles
Arnold
Herman
When the men left to return to Manus, Bill was able to resurrect two second-hand desktop computers to send with them out to Manus, so they could continue their translation work with the assistance of Adapt It.
Update on Lenore’s Health Concern
In their last update the Martins asked for prayer regarding the medication for Lenore’s positive skin test for TB. After additional research, the doctor suggested that she not take the medication after all. It seems that for her situation, the chances of contacting hepatitis from the medication itself are greater than the risk of the TB bacteria becoming active in her system. Needless to say, she was delighted to hear that she would not have to take such strong medication for a year.
Update on the printing of the Lindrou New Testament
The Lindrou New Testament has been printed and is currently being bound in Korea. The 1,500 copies should be shipped to PNG in September
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| We are grateful for your part in the ministry of Bible Translation for
the people of Papua New Guinea. In his unfailing grace, |
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| Bill and Lenore Martin |