This morning my close friend, Neil Anderson, is getting on a plane to fly from Spokane, Washington to Fukatabe, a small village in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. My heart is with him and with the Folopa people in Fukatabe. My body will follow in a few weeks.

Thirteen years ago, I met Neil when by God's providence there was an empty seat on the plane he had chartered to fly from Ukarumpa to Fukatabe. At that point, we were complete strangers, but God intended us to be friends and partners in Bible translation, so He put us together. As we soared above the remote mountains and dense jungle of PNG, winging our way to the village, God began knitting our hearts together. We didn't know it yet, but we needed each other. The few days we spent together in Fukatabe changed me. The Folopa people welcomed and embraced me, and I embraced them. At that point Neil and Carol had labored 28 years translating God's Word into Folopa words and Anderson actions. They were so close to completing the New Testament but near exhaustion emotionally, physically, and spiritually. During the next few years, I saw God renew their strength. Jan and I traveled to Fukatabe in January 2007 for the dedication of the Folopa New Testament.

There is more to tell of this story another day, and I will. But today's story is that after six years on other ministry paths, God has opened the door for Neil to return to Fukatabe to explore the possibility of beginning translation of the Old Testament in Folopa.

Can you imagine not knowing Noah, Abraham, Joseph, David, Joshua, Job, or Daniel? I cannot. These men are just a few of God's mentors in my life. But they are strangers to the Folopa. By God's grace and with His strength that may change in the coming years.

In early April, my son-in-law Heath will meet me in Port Moresby, PNG as we travel together to meet Neil and the Folopa in Fukatabe. We will be bringing equipment to support this translation effort: batteries, solar panels, power converter, laptop computers, and a satellite modem to provide an internet connection. We'll be training the Folopa translators how to use this equipment to have regular reliable communication with Neil, so they can collaborate on translation every day, even when Neil is back in Spokane, Washington. In the coming days, I'll tell more of the Folopa story. I'll also be posting updates as Heath and I travel, including photos and perhaps videos.

I invite you to come along. Be a part of helping the Folopa know God more fully, know His people more personally, and grow in their faith. Pray for Neil as he travels and as he meets with the Folopa leaders to discuss resuming translation. Pray for Heath and me as we finalize our preparations. Pray that God will work in us and through us to accomplish His plan for the people He loves. I'll stay in touch.

Subscribe to Our Blog