Well, in two days, we head to Bush Orientation, which will be our last requirement for e2 (Equipping, phase 2). For the next 5 weeks (27 July --> 1 Sept), we will be living on Gasmata island alongside the Martin family, who have been the primary church planters amongst the Akolet people group (about 4,000 in number). The Martins and their co-workers started the work in 2006, but their co-workers had to leave for medical reasons. The Phase 1 teaching was completed in 2011, and the Akolet church was born. The New Testament translation is currently 37% complete. There are no appointed elders yet, but 3 Akolet men are handling all the Bible teaching, which includes writing their own lessons. They are currently studying through 1 and 2 Peter, for the first time.

We look forward to engaging with the believers (and non-believers), with the Martins, and with continued language (pidgin English) and culture study. We are not there to learn the Akolet language, but we are there to better understand what bush life will look like for our family, as we continue to seek to become useful and relevant instruments that God can use in PNG. Our next update will certainly cover our time on Gasmata island, but between now and then we will have limited connectivity.