A few years ago I consultant checked a number of books for the Kandawo New Testament project in Papua New Guinea. At the time I remember Mack Graham, the translation advisor, telling me that even though he had worked with the Kandawo people for nearly thirty years there had never been much interest in the translation. He wondered if there would even be any demand for a printed version of the New Testament. Then about a year ago, as they were nearing completion of the New Testament, Mack decided they would do audio recordings of the translation to see if people would be interested in those. Just last week we heard the following report:
Mack was talking to people about the audio recordings and one Kandawo woman told him:
“We were starving and we didn’t know it. Now this AudiBible satisfies our hunger and tastes sweet…You have to understand how very much this has completely changed me and my situation! This has changed everything for me.”
(The Kandawo woman and her mother)
The woman’s mother also shared her thoughts about the Audibible:
“Before I got the Audibible I felt like a pig that was tied to a stick. But now I feel like I’ve been freed. I’m only a rotted old woman and I was going to church every week and I always wondered during the Bible reading. We thought that it was some language from some far away people. But now this machine has brought it close to me. We were ignorant pigs and dogs, but now we are changed. I take it to bed with me and leave it playing on my chest while I fall asleep. I had no idea how Jesus died but I am amazed at Jesus. And this revelation makes me cry. It’s been revolutionary in my life!”
Given that people showed little interest in the translation for so many years, it is a great encouragement to hear how they are being impacted through hearing the Scriptures in their own language.
Speaking of audio recordings, we heard recently that the recording of over half the New Testament in the Bughotu language (the translation we completed in 2009) was just finished and will be available soon on both small audio players and SD cards for cell phones. It is great to know that the Bughotu people, especially those who don’t know how to read, will be able to access the Scriptures in this format.
(Edward Goha, our friend who helped with the Bughotu recording, holding an SD card)
johnandbrena 
Is this the Mega Voice or another player? When at JAARS Vernacular Media was gearing up to help different groups get those solar players. Praying all is well with you.
Penelope Popp
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The Bughotu recording will be on Mega Voice players.The Kandawo recordings are on players called AudiBibles which are basically the same as the Mega Voice players – just a different organization.
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So happy to hear this news about the Graham’s hard work paying off after all those years! Thanks for sharing that, John.
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We celebrate with you!!! Even though you are doing your work as unto the Lord and you know that you will be rewarded for your faithfulness in Glory, isn’t it wonderful to be affirmed in your ministry this side of Heaven?!!
Doug H
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What an encouraging set of stories! Thanks.
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Brings tears to our eyes. We praise God for all that’s happening around the world as people hear and understand God’s Word in their heart language. Praising God for those who have spent years bringing this Good News to them!
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I know, the Grahams are heroes to us!
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We recently heard a report about “talking bibles” that were small and solar powered (or batteries). I was teaching a class at Hollywood Pres the 5 sundays in november and the missionary made a short presentation to the class one sunday. is this similar to what you are talking about in the blog?
psailhamer
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I think what you heard about (talking bibles) is exactly the same as what I’m referring to. They are about the size of a smart phone and have solar cells on the back so people can just set them out in the sun to charge the batteries. A number of translation projects in the Pacific area have seen great interest in the recordings when there hasn’t been much interest in the printed form.
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Hi John and Brena, What a great testimony to the power of the Word delivered in the appropriate way for the audience! May I share your post with my partners, too? It was so good to see Edward and that he was able to see Ray and Heather again was really special. When he came to SITAG the first time the team was working in the recording room so he was able to see a bit of that as well. He had hoped to come another day to spend more time but it didn’t work out. He called me on the morning he picked up the micro sd card and thanks to Martha we were able to have that great photo. The Bughotu MV players arrived after I left so the staff were going to handle the paperwork. I visited the COM head office, leaving sd cards for Walter Devi. Turns out he has been assigned to a new area so they will get the package to him. I also enclosed a note about the MV players asking him to handle a launch in the Bughotu area. Have a blessed Christmas, Cynthia
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Thanks for this, Cynthia. Yes, you may share the post!
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Thank you for sharing this peek into the response to the translation work. How beautiful that they are finally “hearing” the Word. It must be deeply rewarding to hear reports like these. Praise God!
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Thanks for the update. Mack and Doris shared at our recent Wycliffe World Day of Prayer, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place. It’s also neat to hear that audio recordings are being completed in your tok ples as well! Praise the Lord for this provision.
So sorry to hear that Brena’s foot is not healing!
Jolene
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thanks, Jolene. Miss you guys!
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