Earlier this year, Emson, one of our Nukna co-workers, hiked to Sunde village to lead a Bible study about how God’s power is greater than the power of the spirits. As the people studied what God’s word says, someone asked about the yaret tree that grows in the local jungle. Many of the Nukna people believe that this tree is inhabited by evil spirits, and they are afraid to cut off even a single branch. They believe that if they do, the spirits will be angry and will send a fierce storm, with strong winds, thunder, lightning and torrential rain.
The Bible study leaders asked the people, Who has more power, God or the spirits? Who is able to control the weather and send rain or withhold it? The group looked up verses such as Matthew 5:45, “He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” and discussed the stories of Jesus calming the wind and the waves, and of Elijah praying to God, who withheld the rains for three and a half years. Everyone agreed, yes, God is the one who controls the storms, not the spirits! However, Emson sensed that, whatever they were saying, some people were holding back, and so he came up with a bold idea.
At the end of big church gatherings, it’s customary to hold a “thanksgiving” service, during which people sing and dance while bringing garden produce as an offering to God. They sometimes build a platform or table on which to put the offerings. Emson shocked the crowd by saying, “Let’s show that we really believe what we’re saying. Let’s build the platform with wood from the yaret tree!” Some people supported his idea, but others were worried. “It’s just too risky,” they cautioned. Nevertheless, Emson led a small group out into the jungle, and they cut off four branches from a yaret tree, carried them back to the village, and used them as the four posts of the platform.
When it was finished, the crowd gathered around the platform and prayed that God would prevent a storm from coming that night. And then, with apprehension in the hearts of some, they waited and watched. But even though it was the peak of the rainy season, when heavy rains fall almost on a daily basis, that night, not only did the rains not come, the sky wasn’t even cloudy! It was a clear, starry night, unusual for that time of year. The people rejoiced, saying, “God’s power really is greater! Truly, God is with us.”
Translation Update
Our Nukna team recently had John 11-21 and James checked by a consultant from the Netherlands (photo upper right). Having a book consultant checked means it has final approval for publishing. We now have 73% of the New Testament consultant checked! Matt also recently consultant checked the books of Mark and 1 & 2 Timothy for the Wampar language, with their Korean translation advisor (photo lower right). It was a real joy to be a small part of the work this team is doing in their own translation program.
Our Nukna team is also making good progress on other translation tasks, nearing completion of the team check of Romans. The book of 1 Corinthians is scheduled to be consultant checked in January. Matt is planning a trip to Hamelengan village next month to make further progress with village checking of 2 Corinthians and Romans. Please continue to pray for us and our Nukna translation team, for faithfulness, endurance, unity, protection, insight and guidance from the Holy Spirit.