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Christianity saves the death of a twin in Papua, Indonesia

Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that involves people in the acceleration of Bible translation efforts, reports that Bible translation work in remote Papua, Indonesia is not only bringing the Scriptures to isolated people, but it is saving lives as well.

Papua, which occupies the western half of the island of New Guinea north of Australia, is home to a diverse indigenous population, with hundreds of separate communities speaking their own languages and observing their own traditions. The isolation created by the mountainous terrain is so significant that until recently, some groups were unaware of the existence of neighboring groups only a few miles away.

In some areas, remote tribes believe that evil spirits cause the birth of twins, and often the smaller child is killed or thrown away. And such beliefs are not limited to Papua.

Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe Associates and a former missionary pilot, recalls, “Years ago, I met [a] pair of newborn twins in a remote village in south Suriname who—for the first time in the history of the village—were allowed to live.”

Recently in Papua, one woman took an extraordinary step to save the life of a twin girl who was about to be put to death. The petite, four-foot-tall housekeeper named Yeremina rushed to the side of the infant and saved her, going against her own culture and community. She is now raising the little girl as her own, ignoring family and friends who warned her that she could not afford a child.

When a missionary asked why she did what she did, Yeremina replied, “This is what a Christian does.”

“That may not sound strange to you and me,” says Smith. “Of course, saving the life of a baby is what a Christian does. But in a secluded mountain valley deep in Papua where villagers still worship evil spirits, that is pretty incredible. Thanks to God’s Word, people like Yeremina are not only accepting Jesus Christ, but following Him. They are learning what it takes to be Christlike.”

Yet there are over 100 language groups that still do not have one verse of Scripture. “Many of the isolated tribes in this remote corner of the world still wait for Scripture in a language they can understand,” says Smith. Without it, they fill the void with superstitions and the worship of dark spirits.”

With the help of $49,500 in matching funds, Wycliffe Associates is currently raising funds for a new airplane hangar in Papua. Reliable air transportation is an essential service in the rugged, mountainous country, where missionary pilots transport missionaries, Bible translators, missions groups, medical personnel, Bibles, and teaching materials to and from remote areas.

Wycliffe Associates involves people in accelerating the work of Bible translation through their time, talents, and treasure. Because millions of people around the world are still waiting to read the Scriptures in the language of their heart, Wycliffe Associates is working as quickly as they can to translate every verse of the Bible into every tongue to change every heart. The organization partners with nationals, mother tongue translators, staff, volunteers, and supporters to direct and fund these efforts, as well as provide logistics, networking, and technical support. Through a growing global network, Wycliffe Associates is striving to overcome local limitations of time and resources to achieve the goal of beginning the translation of God’s Word in every remaining language that needs it by 2025.

In 2010, the organization mobilized 4,381 volunteer and staff members to accelerate Bible translation in some 59 countries. Additional information is available at www.wycliffeassociates.org or by calling 1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673).

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TAGS: Papua Indonesia Bible translation Wycliffe Associates

[08/31/2011]

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