Equipping Bible Translation in Papua New Guinea

For Bible translators in the remote villages of Papua New Guinea, the challenge of accessing reliable power is a significant obstacle to their work. In many cases, these dedicated translators currently work with paper and pen the majority of the time and only have the opportunity to use a computer when they can obtain fuel to run their small generator. That fuel must be transported by boat across the ocean and then carried upriver to reach their remote villages. It’s a slow, costly process that limits the progress of vital Bible translation work.

This is where solar energy comes in to make a profound difference.

Each language group in the Waria Cluster Project has been using a shared laptop for over a year, with access to it only a few times a month when they could run their generator. The translation process has been slow, not because of a lack of dedication of skill, but because they simply haven’t had the power they need to use integral translation software like Paratext, which helps improve the quality and accuracy of their work.

Now, there’s hope for faster progress. Thanks to months of research and the generosity of supporters, solar kits specifically designed for use in village setting have been purchased. These kits, known as “Villager III,” provide power for a laptop, a phone, and a light which are all essentials for translators. The compact 3×2 foot solar panels are easy to transport, allowing translators to move them between locations to catch sunlight wherever they are working.

The Suena, Zia, and Yekora, the three language groups making up the Waria Cluster Project, will each receive two laptops and two solar kits. With these solar kits, translators will be able to work anytime they need to, significantly speeding up their projects. They will no longer be limited by the availability of fuel or the challenges of running a generator; they will have much more consistent, reliable power right in their villages.

Suena translator Helen Ausua shared her excitement: “We have good sun, and these solar panels are transportable so they can be taken to different locations and used at a family home. We will do the work much faster now!”

In October, Steve Ttopoqogo, the Lutheran Bible Translator’s representative in Papua New Guinea, will deliver these solar kits along with the new laptops. With this new equipment, the Suena, Zia,and Yekora translators will soon have the tools they need to accelerate the translation of God’s Word for their communities.

The impact of these solar kits will be transformative for these translation programs. Bible translation in Papua New Guinea will be able to move forward, empowered by solar energy, the dedication of the translation teams, and the ongoing financial and prayer support of faithful donors and prayer partners.

With each new tool, we are one step closer to ensuring that every language community has access to the hope, life, and transformation found in God’s Word.