Jan and I had the privilege to attend the dedication of the Folopa New Testament in January 2007. We sat in the rain, side by side with the Folopa, watching the drama unfold.

After the man bound with ropes was set free, the focus shifted to a tall pole in the center of the gathering. The white-haired man pointed to a small bundle hanging from a pulley at the top of the pole. Several Folopa tried to reach the bundle, but it was out of reach. The Folopa pastor, Paul, came to the tall pole and began lowering the bundle closer to their outstretched hands. Slowly, slowly, it came into reach. But it too was bound in hemp cloth by ropes. The Folopa people wrestled with it, but could not get to the contents of the bundle. Pastor Paul took the bundle and began to untie the ropes and unwrap the cloth. Slowly, slowly, over the course of more than twenty years, the contents became clear. Pastor Paul took a firm hold of the New Testament in Folopa and raised it high overhead with a shout of triumph! God speaks Folopa!

After the foreign dignitaries and the Folopa dramatization of receiving God’s Word, Neil went to the platform to speak. Every Folopa man, woman, and child stood silent. Neil’s message to the Folopa was brief.

When you have heavy work to clear a field, a sharp axe makes the work easier. God’s Word is like a sharp axe. It makes the difficulties of life easier to handle.

In unison the Folopa inhaled, indicating the truth of Neil’s words and their agreement.

When you walk along the ridge in the dark of night, it is easy to stray from the path and fall into trouble. God’s Word is like a torch. It lights our path and shows us the right way to live.

“Hah,” they inhaled. It seemed as though they were holding their breath waiting for Neil’s next words.

When you take a long journey through the mountains and jungle, you need food to stay strong. God’s Word is like food. It nourishes us and gives us strength.

As the Folopa inhaled Neil’s words, I was struck by the imagery of God’s Word breathing life into these people for whom death is always imminent. Death surrounds them and chokes them from the inside. When life comes to them, they gasp for it like dying men.

Today, six years later, Neil is in Fukatabe talking with the Folopa elders about beginning translation of the Old Testament. The sobering reality is that while the actual translation depends entirely upon the commitment of Neil and the Folopa to this task and God’s provision, I have financial and technical resources within my stewardship to make it possible—or not.

How would you weigh the priority of resourcing an Old Testament translation for the Folopa with the priority of resourcing New Testament translations for hundreds of language groups that do not yet have even one word of Scripture? I cannot choose. So I move toward both goals in faith, trusting God’s sovereignty.

On Sunday, I fly to Australia for a brief gathering of our Pacific ministry team. A week later I fly from Australia to Papua New Guinea to make my way to Fukatabe. I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to return. My heart is already pounding with anticipation. I can feel it coming, another life-changing experience of God's grace. My son-in-law, Heath, will meet me in Port Moresby and travel with me to Fukatabe. My prayer is that Heath and I will be an encouragement to Neil and to the Folopa. Past experience tells me that God desires to work not only through me but in me. I need His work in me.

I'll post updates along the way, including updates from Fukatabe via satellite internet connection. Stand by for the next chapter.

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