Lutheran Bible Translators Australia (LBTA)

Papua New Guinea - Bukawa Language

William (Bill) and Dianne Eckermann began their linguistic and translation work among the Bukawa speaking people of Papua New Guinea in 1990. The Bukawa language is spoken by over 10 000 people who live around the coastal area of the Huon Gulf in the Morobe Province of PNG.

Bill and Dianne have three children, Daniel, Angela, and Andrew who grew up in PNG, doing their primary schooling by correspondence, and secondary education at the Ukarumpa International School's Secondary Campus.

In February 2001 dedication services were held at Bukawa and Busamang for the completion of The Bukawa New Testament. In April a copy of the Bukawa New Testament was handed over officially to The President of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Rev Mike Semmler.

Bill and Di and family left Bukawa for Adelaide at the end of 2001. They recently travelled overseas and met with LBTUS to discuss possible future plans. They would prefer to stay in Australia in the short term.

Currently Bill continues to work part time as incoming support enables. His current task is the Bukawa grammar analysis for submission to Summer Institute of Linguistics and also to the Australian National University in Canberra for possible publication in the Pacific Linguistics series.

When that has been completed he wishes to collate all the literacy materials developed for the Bukawa Elementary Schools, and make it available to the Morobe Provincial Education office for access by existing and future Elementary teachers.

In 2005 Bill travelled to Vanuatu to assist with Conultancy work, and planned to make a similar trip in 2006.

In 2004 the Bukawa dictionary and the Sunday School material sold out and the New Testament sold well. Remaining copies have been gifted to village congregations to sell, with the proceeds to go to the congregations.

Bill has also been asked to do some more consultant checking for David and Sue Moore in central Australia this year.

LBTA in PNG Video

This interesting video is available for hire from the Board for Mission Office. It gives the background behind the translation of the Bukawa New Testament. It could be used in women's or men's groups, study groups or congregations.

Northern Australia - Aboriginal Kriol Language

Margaret Mickan works in Australia with the Aboriginal Kriol speaking people of Northern Australia. Margaret is based in Darwin.

In May 1991 the third edition of the Kriol Holi Baibul was dedicated. It involved the release of all the New Testament and 30% of the Old Testament. Work continues on the rest of the Old Testament with Numbers, Ecclesiastes and some of Psalms recently completed. An important milestone will be reached when the full Bible has been translated and published in Kriol.

But translation is only the first part. The second (equally important) goal is to see that the Baibul is widely distributed and used throughout the large area where Kriol is spoken. Many communities, who have not had any contact with or knowledge of the Kriol Baibul, will need to be trained to read Kriol so that they can help others to read it. This task could take at least five years.

Then there is the Kimberley area of Western Australia (WA) where the Aboriginal Education Workers in the Kimberley schools are currently trialling a different spelling system to the one used in the Northern Territory (NT). Their Kriol is different to the NT Kriol. The Kriol Baibul may have to be adapted for use in WA and this would also require extra help.

Kriol Bible Update

Excitement is brewing as the Kriol team continues the proof-reading stage in preparation for the printing of the Kriol Bible.

Extra people are involved in preparing Bible Kits to be used to encourage the use of the Scriptures. These include bible bags, a time line and a booklet with additional helps, as well as a pocket-size copy of the Gospel of John in Kriol.

The Bible will go to the printers by the end of October, and while it's there the Kriol team will be planning the dedication and post dedication promotional tours. A dream is to involve some secondary students studying in Darwin, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, in the tours.

We are extremely grateful that the Bible Society in Australia has pledged support for the publishing of the Kriol Bible. It is anticipated that each Bible will cost around $50.00 to publish.

To assist in promotion, the LCA has set up a special fund within Lutheran Bible Translators Australia which members can contribute to. A lump sum will then be presented to the Bible Society towards publication costs. The LCA also hopes to contribute towards the cost of colour illustrations in the Kriol Bible.

If you would like to help put a Kriol Bible in the hands of those who are eagerly waiting for it, your support would be very much appreciated. Please make donations out to LBTA – Kriol Bible Translation and send to the Board for Mission, 197 Archer Street, North Adelaide SA 5006.

God bless each of you and all you are doing in his mission.

Margaret Mickan.