VOLUME 6: NO.4 APRIL 1983
Dear Brethren,
Greetings in the name of the Lord
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
This month has really been exciting. We nave traveled many miles, been many
places and have seen many peoples. The interest in the Lord's work there in
Papua New Guinea has been tremendous. We want to thank all of you who have opened
up your hearts and homes to us. For you who receive our newsletter but have
not seen us yet-never fear we aren't finished yet.
MONTHLY VISITATIONS
During the month of March we visited: Argentine C/C, Kansas City Ks.; Vinita
Okla.; Carthage Mo.; Jane Mo.; Pittsburg Ks.; Center Point C/C Rogerville Mo.;
Spring City Mo. 1727 miles, One of the most exciting things about this month
was that two of these congregations we visited had called me. Can you believe
it ? If you think that the congregation where you worship would be interested
in seeing our presentation I still have a few open dates left in May. Call me:(417)623-1280
or 624-4016.
SCHOOL DAYS, SCHOOL DAYS
Many of you have asked how the kids are doing in school here. They are really
doing well. Both of them are reviewing some material they had previously been
taught in PNG especially in math and science. Both both are studying hard on
penmanship and English. They have especially enjoyed the fellowship of kids
in the classes. We showed slides and movies of PNG to their school.
Terasa has always shown a tremendous talent in researching papers and art work. The school system had a city wide poster contest and Terasa won first place. She do make us proud. Both of them are looking forward to our return home.
OUR MAIN EMPHASIS IS THE PRINTED PAGE
Most of you are aware that the main emphasis of our work in PNG is now centered
around the printed page. Even though I have never had formal training in the
printing field I was raised in a house were reading was IT. From
my earliest days I always remember being encouraged to read (except late
at night under the covers).
IMPORTANCE OF THE PRINTED PAGE
1. Written material has a more lasting effect than verbal and lecture teaching.
Without written material for. personal study and evaluation you in essence can
only program your Bible students as you would a puppet.
2. Written lessons help in the increasing of one's Bible knowledge and the strengthening
of Christians.
3. Literature is especially valuable for Christians in outlaying areas when
they don't have access to teaching programs to further their knowledge and to
build them up.
4. It is possible to send literature to places where it is physically impossible
for us to go.
5. There is a very limited range of religious material available in Pidgin English.
This limits very much the ability of our Bible Training Schools to help our
men further their knowledge in the Scripture.
When we first began ours labors in PNG in 1975 we became aware of the lack of printed material in Pidgin English (a trade language used there). It was bad enough not having very much material in the secular world but even more so in the spiritual. Very very little printing was available in the form of religious material. In 1976 Andy Scott and I bought a mimeograph machine. We printed a sermon outline book then and multitudes of handouts for the Bible classes.
In June of 1978 John Wallace and I bought a table top printing press and formally began the printing work which I am now in charge of. We have bought and repaired equipment to the level we now operate. One of the primary goals as I returned this time was the purchase of a word processing system to help us set up material for printing. I am in the process of producing a commentary on the book of Acts. Also work is continuing on a pictorial Bible Dictionary, both in Pidgin English.
It is bad enough when people of a society cannot read or write their spoken language. But I really believe it is worse when those who can read and write have no literature to fill their minds with knowledge they long for.
Our desire is to fill this knowledge void with good Godly Bible material before they lose their desire for it. We hope and pray that you will help.
THEY WERE ARE S0 AMAZING BUT
Since our return we have seen demonstrations of numerous word processing systems
and are still amazed at what is available. The main things we have to look at
are:
1. OUR PRESENT/FUTURE NEED
2. MOBILITY OF SYSTEM
3. EXPANDABILITY OF SYSTEM
4. COST
After much comparison I have narrowed what we are trying to raise money for down to two systems. Both systems are compatible with the other. The systems are: 1. XEROX MEMORYWRITER; 2. CPT WORD PROCESSING SYSTEM. If we have only enough money for one system then we are going with the XEROX MEMORYWRITER. This system is self contained in one unit which operates all functions of word processing and printout. The unit is being expanded with additional memory and a larger display screen in the future. If money was available we could buy the CPT system and use the memorywriter as the printer.
AND THE WINNER IS...
The MEMORYWRITER will cost us $5500. which includes 83.5% customs duty when
we return. The CPT system will cost us approximately $8000. which includes the
customs duty. Along with the CPT the brother who is selling it said he would
include over $5000. worth of software for it.
Of the needed funds we have raised just over $1500. That means we are still
$4000 short of the basic machine. Please won't you help now with this very urgent
need.
SEND YOUR FUNDS MARKED: PNG PRINTING WORK
NORTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST
2510 HWY. 62
JEFFERSONVILLE IN. 47130
NEATER, HUH!
You may have noticed that this newsletter is a lot neater looking than our normal
(ha,ha what's normal about me huh!) The Xerox Corp. is letting me use this MEMORYWRITER
as a hands on experience. I hope that you agree with me that the proof is in
the printing.
NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT
During recent phone calls to Andy Scott on the home front we have found that
the Goroka congregation is progressing very well. The Sunday attendance is just
over 100 and the Thursday night attendance is over 240. The Bible School has
been given a reprieve until the end of the year. The owner says we can stay
there until then. The court still says that he has to come up with the $23,000.
before we have to vacate.
YOUR SERVANTS OF THE CROSS
the Huffs