And more than half of them are without the Scripture in their language.
More than half of those languages must turn to a different language to hear about the God that loves them, to hear about the relationship that they can have with Him, to hear about the salvation that is waiting for them to accept it.
But the language that speaks to their heart, their language... it seems like God doesn't speak it. And in a country where a person who you're connected with, in some sort of relationship with, who you watch out for and serve, is affectionately called wantok, one talk, someone who speaks my language, hearing God's Word in their language becomes that much more important.
Jacob and Elizabeth plan to travel to the jungles of Papua New Guinea. They want to live in a village and learn the language of a people group. The ministry model is one of incarnation. They intend to sit in the dirt with these people, watch their naked children run, learning how to shoot personally crafted bows and arrows, gather with them and mourn death and celebrate life, and in all they do, try to reflect the love of Jesus.
Jacob will work as a Literacy Specialist. Not teaching people how to read, but teaching people how to teach people, providing a sustainable model of literacy. Elizabeth will work as a Translation Specialist, guiding the National Translators in how to make their translations clear and accurate. Both of these tasks work to the end of transformed lives through God's Word, presented in their language to those literate and enthusiastic to read, learn, and grow.
To this end, Jacob will sacrifice Dr. Pepper, video games, and a predictable income. Elizabeth will sacrifice Starbucks, Walmart, and dangly earrings. In addition to separation from family and friends, for life to travel on without them and for them to return left behind, in addition to not having a support system as extensive and easily accessible as here, in addition to risking their family to life with a third world emergency room a several thousand dollar helicopter's ride away, assuming that helicopter is in the area.
But it's worth it. It is all more than worth every trial that is faced.
When the story of crucifixion and how all that suffering was for him finally resonates with a man, that makes it worth it.
When practices of worshiping the spirit world are cast aside for prayer to a Spirit far mightier, that makes it worth it.
When traditional ways of dealing with arguments are abandoned for forgiveness, that makes it worth it.
What is it worth to you? Is it worth $20 a month? $50? $100?
Is it worth a bit of financial insecurity?
It is worth your daily stop at Starbucks?
Will you partner with us and help us get to Papua New Guinea so that we can aid the church there in translating the Bible in their own language?
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