Into 2025 and Beyond

In 1999, the global pace of Bible translation was moving slowly. It was going to take centuries before every language would have God’s Word. Recognizing this, several organizations came together to adopt the vision to start a translation project in every language that needed one by 2025.

“Vision 2025” has motivated people and organizations to start, fund, and participate in initiatives that have accelerated the growth of Bible translation all around the world. Looking back, much has been accomplished through this goal.

A view of the PNG mountains

At the same time, we have had growing concerns that the desire to reach “Vision 2025” has sometimes caused decisions to be made that are unhealthy for local churches and communities. Our heart is to help people understand God’s Word so their lives can be transformed by it. All other goals are only useful when they serve to accomplish that.

“Jesus also said, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.’” Mark 4:26–29
“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” I Corinthians 3:7

In our context, we have felt that outside organizations have been pushing the church’s translation desk here in Milne Bay at an unsustainable pace. Two years ago, we were informed that the translation desk had started translations in 15 languages. After we moved here, we discovered that although community members from around 10-15 languages had participated in at least one translation workshop, the majority have struggled to do any translation work beyond that. The translation desk lacked the training and structures to support translation at that scale. Today, there are only 3 languages that have done any translation outside of a training workshop.

I (Harold) am currently working with leaders of the translation desk and partnering organizations to think through 1) how to plan with more realistic expectations, 2) how to better train and mentor translators in a way that is sustainable, and 3) how to implement procedures to ensure quality translation.

This past August, the translation desk coordinator left his position, and, for the remainder of the year, one of the desk’s senior facilitators acted in the role of the coordinator. The beginning of this year, a new coordinator, David Nason, was appointed. Coordinator Nason has academic training and experience in Bible translation, and we are hopeful for the future of the church’s translation desk.

In February, the dean of the Pacific Institute of Languages, Arts and Translation (PILAT) invited me to co-teach a three week course on exegesis (the process of interpreting Scriptures). This course is an essential foundation for good quality translation, because those who do not understand what the text is saying cannot accurately translate it.

Harold, PILAT faculty, and students of the Exegesis course

PILAT is one of many Bible translation services provided by SIL PNG, a Bible translation agency that works closely with Wycliffe USA. It is located in the mountains of Highlands province. This was a great opportunity to see ways that SIL PNG might partner together with the church’s translation desk in Alotau.

Our family flew to the highlands in a small airplane. We had the opportunity to interact with other Wycliffe USA and SIL PNG colleagues, and it allowed us to consider how we might be able to thrive and serve long term in PNG.

At nearly a mile above sea level, the weather is refreshing even though it is still in the tropics. Many call it a “perpetual spring”. We found welcome relief from Alotau’s intense heat.

Holidays in Cairns

We spent the holidays in Cairns, Australia, a short 2 hour flight from the PNG capital, Port Moresby. We stayed at Treetops Lodge, a ministry of Wycliffe Australia that provides accommodations for missionaries needing respite or medical care. While there, we were able to get needed dental work and other minor medical services. Another bonus was that A’zalea and Andrew learned to swim without their life vests in the lodge’s pool.

Snapshots of Life in PNG

Translation Consultant Certification

My mentor commended me for certification to Global Partnerships’ consultant panel, and on March 11 the panel certified me as a Bible Translation Consultant. We look forward to how God will use us in this next phase of ministry.

How to Pray

Now that I am certified, we need to move out of our current administrative structure in Wycliffe USA. We are praying about and considering serving under SIL PNG. Wycliffe USA would remain our sending organization, but SIL PNG would care for us administratively. This transition requires collaboration between four different entities and may also require conversations with the PNG government to ensure that we meet all the legal requirements to remain in the country.

• Pray for wisdom as we make decisions for future ministry.
• Pray for conversations that are happening between Wycliffe USA, Global Partnerships (GP), SIL PNG, and the church in Alotau.
• Pray that changes being made within the church’s translation desk will lead to sustainable growth and transformed lives.
• Pray for our family as we continue to navigate the stresses of living in a foreign land.

Thank you for linking arms with us. We’re so grateful for all the ways you support our family and the work of Bible translation.

Your partners, Harold, Justine, A’zalea, & Andrew

“In their hearts human beings plan their lives.
But the Lord decides where their steps will take them.” Proverbs 16:9

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