Chosen to translate her language September 24, 2013 – Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea – Karen Weaver with Tim Scott
Linguistics captivated Luai during her studies at Keravat National High School. Although she wanted to study advanced linguistics at the university level, she put that dream aside when she got married and began working at a bank. Several years later, Luai's pastor needed a representative from the Nalik language area to attend the New Ireland Translation Institute (NITI). He encouraged Luai to attend. Going to NITI rekindled Luai's interest in linguistics and initiated her involvement in translating the Nalik New Testament. Initially, Luai's husband was pessimistic about her work with the Nalik translation, but he now supports her. This is a great encouragement to Luai. Another encouragement came through an unexpected visitor. A lady came to the village and noticed that Luai's home was disorderly and that she hadn’t raked the yard. When Luai explained that she spends many hours translating the New Testament and has little time for her own work, this visitor offered to send her daughter to help with housework. Luai testifies, "Her daughter has been a big help to me." Later, Luai heard that this same woman had become ill, so she went to visit her. While there, a group gathered in the house and Luai used the opportunity to check a portion of the translation with these people to see if the meaning was clear to them and if it sounded natural. As she left, her new friend requested, "Please come back again and check more Scripture in my house." When Luai asked why, her friend explained, "I don’t have a Bible. I sometimes go to church and listen to sermons, but I have never read the Bible for myself.” Following her request, Luai has returned several times. The group of listeners has expanded to include several students from a local trade school. Luai testifies, "I praise God who chose me to translate the Bible into my own language. As I translate I see God and my eyes are opened. He has given many promises to those who follow him. He is faithful!" For more information on this release, contact, The PNG Experience, PO BOX 413, EHP 444, Papua New Guinea Phone: 011 + 675 + 537-4431 or Email:
ThePNGexperience@gmail.com or follow the daily blog at www.thepngexperience.wordpress.com. Pictures do not always depict actual event, activities or people. “Yumi Stori” is the PNG “Tok Pisin” term for “Let’s talk” or “Let’s have a conversation”