Here is the new field description (field bio) put out yearly explaining this field and to find potential co-workers.
World Team Papua
And here is a recent video of the Kimyal Bible translation (Pastor Siud's prayer is very moving): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dpmp_-TY0
I regularly have people begging me to find them bible teachers. Many pastors have the equivalent of a 3rd-grade US education (I have met some Christians who cannot read, and some evangelists, too). To have theologically sound folks training these pastors would multiply the efforts here greatly.
A diverse land of exotic cultures, Indnsia is the world's 4th-largest country reaching towards 250 million people and is the world's largest M-- nation. Papua is Indnsia’s eastern-most region, comprising the western half of the island of New Guinea. Formerly called Irian Jaya, the region is almost entirely covered in tropical forest, and has some of the richest biodiversity on earth.
Papua was the setting for many mass movements of tribal peoples to Christ in the recent past, particularly in the highland areas. Regions Beyond Missionary Union, now World Team, played a central role in these efforts. Remote tribes still exist.
Many Papuans struggle to transition. Family structures strain. Many are experiencing population displacement; people move away searching for new opportunities, better education and jobs. Outsiders move in, often competing for (and winning) jobs desired by local Papuans. Displaced youth find themselves alone in the towns, far away from the mores of tribal and church structures. Nominalism, drunkenness and HIV are on the rise. Despite considerable governmental aid, poverty persists and aid is distributed largely in non-sustainable ways which fuel sin, competition, greed and corruption. Widespread disillusionment and suspicion towards the government exists.
I--m’s growing shadow looms over Papua. Radical demographic shifts are occurring as transmigrants from more heavily-populated M--m regions of Western Indonesia move here to find better opportunities. These better-educated outsiders often are the first to be hired and many Papuans consequently feel like “strangers in their own land.” Resentment grows. Soon Papua will be a majority-M-m region. It may have already happened.
A changed context means new opportunities:
We are looking for hardy, flexible workers, ready to engage this changing context. From tribal church-planters, evangelists, translators, and literacy experts in remote tribal regions, to urban youth workers, disciplers and trainers of pastors, school teachers, bible teachers, to doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, your contributions can help brighten Papua’s future. From remote tribal church-planting work to leadership-development at strategic urban centers, to discipleship-training at schools, to even the schooling of missionary children and the children of Papuan evangelists, great needs abound. Where will God place you?
We are a growing field with a growing vision seeking to vigorously engage this changing context. Come join us and grow with us and engage these needs with us! Despite challenges, the future is as bright as the promises of God and we wait in eager expectation for a large Harvest.
World Team Papua
And here is a recent video of the Kimyal Bible translation (Pastor Siud's prayer is very moving): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dpmp_-TY0
I regularly have people begging me to find them bible teachers. Many pastors have the equivalent of a 3rd-grade US education (I have met some Christians who cannot read, and some evangelists, too). To have theologically sound folks training these pastors would multiply the efforts here greatly.