This past week I've been thinking a lot about the final 18 months of Mesem New Testament translation and the ministry in which we've been involved in PNG for more than 20 years. I was actually thinking of how faithful, loving, generous, and truly amazing, have been those who have prayed and sacrificed for the sake of reaching the Mesem. There are dozens of churches, and many, many wonderful Christian friends, who have stayed faithful to answering God's call to reach the Mesem.
How many? It is said that it takes at least 100 "donors" to keep a missionary on the field. I know that the number of people who have sacrificed for this work, far exceeds that number, but there are a dozen or so families that have given, prayed and fasted, not to mention painted, cleaned, moved, stored, archived, called, and researched...just to name a few tasks....and participated in this work in ways that are known only to the Lord and perhaps to us in some measure. There are single parents, single women, couples with disabled children, pastors who are AG and pastors who are Baptist, who have stood by us for as long as we've been in Papua New Guinea. They've stayed faithful for more than 20 years to a group of people they have never met, and never seen in person. I really don't have words to adequately describe just what a gift this is to us and to the Mesem.
As "the missionary" we get to go, be with the people, and see first hand the fruit of what God is doing. The rest of the people in the ministry, those at home, don't get that opportunity. I have often wondered how we can best share the day the New Testament is dedicated with that faithful cohort. A number of friends have been saving for years to come to Papua New Guinea when that time comes. (Lord willing, summer 2012...speaking from a Northern Hemisphere perspective). Many, of course, cannot come and we really would like to know how to best share the dedication celebration with them. So I put this out here to ask for ideas, suggestions, or whatever comes to you as what might be the best way to share that day. Thoughts?
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see blog below for the story
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Let her celebrate the scriptures
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About The Vanarias
- neil and kathy vanaria
- Massachusetts, Papua New Guinea
- About us: Married since 1979 and serving in ministry since 1986, we have been overseas missionaries in Papua New Guinea since 1988. We recently completed translating the New Testament into the Mesem language. We are blessed to be part of a huge team of friends and churches who have faithfully stood by us through many years. We are AGWM missionaries sponsored by friends of many different church affiliations within the Body of Christ. How great is that!
3 comments:
Hey Kath,
Locks had a group that came to the dedication - one to make a video and a couple of good photographers. Also one person (the videomaker) collected all the fotos that all the guests and professionals had made and put them on a DVD, nicely organised under each photographer, then date (some folks were there several days) and on dedication day, the different parts of the celebrations. This has been such a great resource for us as different people have asked us to give presentations since we are on their committee. Also the mix of Photos was great for putting together our own album - you know how it is. You are busy shooting photos of everyone else and none of yourself. This way you get many different perspectives.
Love, Elyce
Oh, and on the video side of things, the professional also collected videos from everyone who was there. Also did little interviews with the family members/ longtime supporters/ support people who had come from afar. These were incorporated in the big video as someone described their favourite part of the dedication, you could see the video of it. You've probably seen a few of these sort of videos. Does the AG mission send someone for this purpose?
Love again,
Elyce
Kathy,
Congratulations on finishing. That is really cool!
Clif
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