Support Team

We were honored to be asked to be a few months ago to be asked to be a “support team” for a translation team. The  translation team is actually a husband and wife. Our first question was, “What do support teams do for translation teams?” Here is some of what we learned:

• They keep in contact with the translators while they are in the village, either through email, texting or radio skeds.(Set tome to communicate with short wave radio)
• The support team makes sure the translation team gets the supplies they need, either in the village or on their return to Ukarumpa.
• They relay any important news that has happened to the translation team while they are in the village.
• They deal with any emergencies that may come up while the translation team is in the village.
• The support team helps deal with transportation issues that may come up.

After some time of prayer and consideration, we gladly accepted the opportunity to be a support team for Jim and Joan Farr.

Let us introduce you to the translation team we get to support!

Joan on the left and Jim on the right

Jim and Joan have lived in PNG over a span of 42 years working in 3 different language groups. Jim and his first wife, Cindi, worked with the Karafe and the Baruga people.  Cindi and Jim were married for 39 years before Cindi passed away suddenly while in their village in 2008.

During this time, Joan was working with the Kombio people for over 20 years. Through many different circumstances, Joan’s language group had to end their translation work and the project closed down in 2010.  God opened new doors for her as she married Jim a few years ago and joined him with the work God has called them both to.

This translation team couple that we are supporting, work in the Baruga and Karafe language groups. In 1984 the Karafe dedicated the New Testament in their heart language and then also did a revision in 2003. They are currently working on parts of the Old Testament.

The Baruga language group dedicated the book of Mark  in 1994, and Luke, Acts and the Thessalonians were dedicated in 2008. The Baruga New Testament is 100% translated, and approximately 50% has been consulted checked.  Their goal, God willing, is to have the Baruga New Testamant project completed and have a dedication while serving during this term in PNG. So there is still much work to be done.

In 1972, when the Karafe and Baruga translation projects were started, much of the work was done using chalkboards and silk screenings of books. Today, villagers are being taught how to use computers and other technologies to aid in this important work.

Jim training and working with co-translators

Now, even when Jim and Joan are not in the village, the translation work can continue because they are equipped and trained with the tools they need. Their team of national co-translators often come to Ukarumpa to take classes on phonetics, Greek and Hebrew, dictionary work, etc. 

The work doesn’t stop with the translation of God’s Word into their heart language. They plan and implement heart language literacy programs, often times they also work with the nationals to publish hymn books with songs in their own tok ples (heart language). The hope is that people will have many ways to learn about and worship God.

Singing songs of praise in their hear language

This  support team opportunity has been a blessing for our whole family in that we now have more direct involvement with a specific translation project. We are so excited that we can be used by the Lord in this way to grow His kingdom.

What is the cost to FULLY follow Jesus Christ?  .How many people could be impacted if ALL the Christ followers of this earth would FULLY follow our Lord Jesus Christ???

Thank you for your prayers and support as we are in Papua New Guinea,

Chad, Ruth and girls