Rain, Measles, & Bible Translation

Love that Rain

Rainy season for us is generally the end of June through August. This year it started in early June, and it still hasn’t ended. Moving our supplies, medicines, and personnel by air has been a challenge. Many bush flights have been cancelled or postponed, most of them after sitting all day in the rain waiting for the clouds to lift. Still, the days aren’t always wasted, because we take along our Kamea videos from the “Jesus Film” and show them to anyone who comes by.

Showing the Kamea Jesus videos in the rain

Next time I hear someone complain about flight delays while sitting in a climate-controlled airport with a Starbucks and a McD’s, I’m going to say, “bless your heart.” 🙂

Loving Others

The measles outbreak that began in June seems to be letting up here at the beginning of November. Some lives were lost due to being unable to get to treatment, but praise the Lord, many others were helped by the care they received from our Kunai Health Centre staff.

A happy patient!

It has been cold and wet, yet those who have come have not only received medicine; they have received hope. Many have heard the Gospel clearly, some for the first time. Just last Sunday we had several visitors who came to church because of the clinic ministry.

Loving the Word

In addition to the Life of Christ series, Ben and I have finished translating up through Luke 12. We have checked up through Luke 8 with our church people and other villagers, and it was understandable for them. Our people are grasping much more of the Word as we work through the passages in their heart language. They are learning Jewish culture, biblical backgrounds, and best of all, the Spirit is opening their eyes to spiritual meanings.

Showing how to use the Kamea Jesus videos

One thing that our people had a hard time grasping: a kiss. To our people, “kiss” is a noise you make with your lips. When they (among the older people) greet each other fondly, they stroke each other under the chin from neck to chin—we call it, “chin-chucking.” They don’t understand why the father of the prodigal would make a noise when the prodigal came home, rather than “chin-chucking” him. I guess Song of Solomon is going to be a challenge to translate…

Kamea Jesus video recording session

Ben is attending a school right now to improve his English skills and to learn how to use a computer. He was able to get a partial scholarship, and the rest we are funding from our support. He and I are scheduled to meet with a translation consultant in a couple of weeks to get an idea of how we can improve our methods, as well as to see how we are doing with the translation.

Serving Him in the Field,

Bro. John & Lena Allen
Galatians 6:9