The Unchangeable God in a Changing Paradise

August and June* have lived in Indonesia with their children since 2019, in Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) since 2021. They have two teenage children. August began by sharing about how God has led them through the years. They first met while both were doing postgraduate studies in England, and the rest is history! June returned to Singapore to fulfil her government bond, so August came along. They worked for 10 years in Singapore before August attended a local theological college and then the Canada Institute of Linguistics (CanIL). 

Although August trained as an engineer, he had always been interested in languages. It turned out that grasping languages needed a good dose of logical thinking and making connections which his former training helped him develop. 

A Changing Paradise 

August described Papua as, on the surface, like a paradise. It comprises half of a huge island with mountains, forests and sea. The forest is home to a vast diversity of flora and fauna, including birds of paradise and wallabies! There are also about 200 different people groups and languages, many of which are in isolated, remote areas.

However, this paradise is changing. Development, urbanisation, pollution and the internet are bringing problems and challenges to this province. August described a flight from a village to the city to illustrate aspects of the changing face of Papua.

His observations: A local man wearing traditional tribal clothing alongside other locals wearing modern garb.

• An arrow stuck in the man’s chest (!), evidence of the continued violence between tribal groups. (He was seeking medical treatment.)

• Non-Papuan Indonesians outnumbering Papuans, the result of resettlement from more densely populated regions.

• Different faiths (seen from clothing).

• Widespread smartphone use. This brings blessings (e.g., a means to distribute scripture materials) as well as problems (e.g., access to gambling, pornography).

Heart Language Bible translation & Transformation

The gospel came to Papua 150 years ago, and the province is considered Christian today. However, the Bible (or part thereof) is not available in the heart language of most people. It was only about 50 years ago that there was a push for Bible translation in order to reach individual tribal groups in their own language. 

Reaching these tribes with the gospel is only the first step; transformation of hearts and lives often takes much longer. Conflicts and violence continue even between tribes that had received the gospel, and the cycle of revenge is part of the culture. God’s Word can and must lead to transformed lives, but it can take many years.

Bible Translation into Mapay* 

August is currently part of team working to translate the New Testament into Mapay. This is a trade language which developed over the past 100 years or so along the coasts. It has significant grammatical differences from Bahasa Indonesia. As many migrate from the interior to the cities on the coasts, Papuan Malay has become the mother tongue for about 40% of the population. 

Translation began in 2012, and the team comprising mother tongue translators (MTTs), checkers and consultants hope to have it completely checked, typeset and printed by 2027. August helps train and mentor the MTTs and is also checking that the approximately 2,000 key terms used in the New Testament are clear, accurate and natural. 

Scripture Engagement 

Rather than make the people wait for the complete New Testament, once portions have been checked and approved, the team prints and distributes portions, and even some in comic form! For many Papuan Christians, this is the first Scripture they encounter in their own language. The portions of Scripture have been well received, and one man said that when the Bible in his language is printed, he would never get bored of reading it! 

August told of one teacher who had only been taught one Bible story, which she taught over and over again. She was so happy to have so much material to teach from! The team has also prepared 52 lessons with Scripture portions – one for every week of the year – and trained Sunday School teachers to use them.

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for the team to work together to complete New Testament well. Pray for their protection from physical and spiritual harm.

2. Pray for the people to have open hearts and a desire to engage with God’s word.

3. Pray for August, June and their children as they continue to serve God in Papua.

*pseudonym