April 2020

“But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
Heb. 10:12 NLT

April 2020

Dear Ones,

In the midst of all of the crazy news in today’s world, I stand strong in the reality that we celebrate this month: Jesus lived, died, rose again, and rules from Heaven.

My last newsletter was full of plans for the Onobasulu translation program in Papua New Guinea. When the staff of our medical clinic in PNG strongly recommended my return to the USA asap, my first response was to hesitate or bargain to stay. However, after prayer and reasonable consideration, I decided to return to the USA for a season.

That decision to return to the USA began a crazy roller coaster of so many plan changes and stress. When we get to meet in person again, I have a collection of amazing stories of travel provision in spite of the trauma! I am now safely in Texas, finishing my self-quarantine.

While I can’t continue exactly what I had planned in February, there are several projects I can work on from here in Texas. I am beginning to settle into a routine. Pray for wisdom and focus for each day’s work. One area that I’ll also be concentrating on is my recovery from the grief and strain of recent weeks.

In addition to my physical relocation, my return to Texas has brought an unexpected change to my Wycliffe ministry budget – which has increased by over $440.00 per month. Also, there are one-time unexpected ministry expenses associated with my return. My transportation and lodging costs of $9,105.00 for this trip were not in my ministry budget. I invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with my Wycliffe ministry to address these unexpected additional ministry expenses.

Upcoming plans:

I was not sure where I would stay when I began my plans to return for this season to the USA. My heart was so encouraged by a number of offers to stay with different people. I think that I have worked out a good place to live for a while. I still need to work out transportation issues. Please pray for wisdom and guidance.

PRAISE POINTS:
* For safe travels from Papua New Guinea to Texas, in spite of many changes;
* For a place to stay in Texas for my 14 day self-quarantine and as I began making plans;

* For another place to live during this season working from Texas.

PRAYER POINTS:
* For wisdom in many upcoming decisions;
* For provision of reliable transportation during my time in Texas;
* For strength and health of our Onobasulu team in the USA, the Netherlands and PNG;
* For all of the health workers around the world.

In His Love,

Beverly R. Mosley

*Keep in Touch with Beverly*
* For correspondence For Now:

Beverly R. Mosley
Huffman, TX 77336
USA

email: beverly_mosley@sil.org
Blog:   beverlypng.wordpress.com

For financial partnership:
Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc.
PO Box 628200
Orlando, FL  32862-8200
Enclose a separate note stating, “Preference for the Wycliffe ministry of Beverly Mosley, Acct # 230735”

November to December 2019 Newsletter from Beverly Mosley

“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31 NASB

November and December 2019

Dear Ones,

As we sit at my table in PNG, four Onobasulu speakers read the Gospel of John in their own heart language for the first time during consultant

checking! The consultant is another translator who has special training in helping to recognize potential problems in the translation. Particular items to look out for are idioms or other methaphorical language, religious key terms, and cultural items that can be awkward to translate. As we begin the passage about the arrest of Jesus on the night that He was betrayed, His trial and death are looming. Tears just well up in my eyes as I think that Jesus was choosing to do this for me. This is also why I sit at this same table today.

So much has happened in these last months. Anna Stoppels was here from the Netherlands for four weeks. She worked with two of the Onobasulu translators on Revelation. Johann Alberts worked with the other two translators on first drafting of Hebrews. Johann shared some of his work time with me. Anna and the four men arrived the same day. At our welcome dinner, we enjoyed the blessing of being all together for the first time! From left is Karen Rowe, a friend. Next are Anna, me, Wabele, Joseph, Yobe, Jack, Johann and his wife, Antonia.

After four weeks, the four translators as well as Johann flew out to Walagu to work. The night before the flight, I printed out copies of Revelation that the translators could read through once more for another check. So, while the plane was being loaded, we put those pages into folders. That same plane brought four different Onobasulu speakers to Ukarumpa to continue consulting checking for the Gospel of John. Consultant checking is one of the final major checks before any scripture could be published or recorded. For this level of checking, we ask help from people who have not been involved in the previous drafting or checking of that passage. We check their responses to reading or hearing the first time.

Since my

return to PNG, I have been going through some older files. One thing that I discovered was a stack of notebooks filled with handwritten first drafts of various scripture passages. So here are the consultant checking team with both first draft and consultant check print out copies. Left to right are Jonathan Hauwo, Dickson Wadaga, Juliedi Jonathan, and Mamele Fred. Only Dickson had been a involved in consultant checking before. Therefore, the first couple of days were difficult and even a bit scary for them. But as they grew in understanding of what we were asking, we made great progress. The checking is finished. I do still have a few places to clean up and correct text from my notes.

Upcoming plans: Twice a year, I need to get a follow-up with a cardiologist. I also have several other doctor appointments in December in the USA. Oh, and I get to spend Christmas with my family. Then back to work in Papua New Guinea in January.

Also for safety reasons as a single lady, and to help with errands and logistical part of my work, I am considering purchasing a car here in PNG next year. Please pray for wisdom for this decision and for provision.

PRAISE POINTS:
* For God’s provision of a great translation and literacy team for the Onobasulu people;
* For the progress in our work by the entire team in the last few weeks: advisor/exegetical check of Revelation, finishing first draft of Hebrews, finishing consultant check of John!

PRAYER POINTS:
* For wisdom in the next season of my ministry with the Onobasulu translation program;
* For God’s wisdom as we develop the ongoing translation and literacy Onobasulu team;
* For wisdom on whether or not to acquire a car for use here in PNG.
* For good reports from the various doctors during medical appointments in December.

In His Love,

Beverly R. Mosley

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Defrosting the fridge/freezer in the tropics

Let me start with the fact that I love having a refrigerator with a freezer here in Ukarumpa! I do not have a fridge in Walagu village. I can live without the fridge, but it is such a great blessing.

However, my fridge is here is not new. And being a good Texan girl, I like ice cubes in my water and tea! So, the poor freezer compartment likes to frost & freeze over. I had on my agenda to defrost the freezer yesterday during my work holiday for PNG Independence Day. I visited with some friends instead. So, up early today to defrost. On the stove, I made a nest of clean bath towels, stacked up my frozen things, and wrapped the towels up and over. Be creative when you do not have a large ice chest. I only have the lunch size ice chest. Place bowls of hot water in the freezer compartment to hasten the melting of the ice. Scrape ice off onto a plate. I used to try to catch with my hand. Too Cold For Hands. Wash with baking soda & water. Let dry. Place all of the items back in clean, dry freezer. Then wipe down inside of fridge portion. Discover the container of veggies hiding in the back of that bottom shelf! Take old veggies out to the compost pile. Enjoy the thought that it will be a while before I need to do this again.

And thanks, Karen, for the idea of placing my water filled ice trays in zip bag when putting in to make ice cubes. Contain the vapor and condensation!

Part 2 of Adventures in Flying to Walagu

Dickson was scheduled to fly out to Walagu on Tuesday of this week. He had a 6:30 am pickup by the aviation bus. I went out to the airstrip at about 7 am in a borrowed car. The weather reports from both Walagu and Bosavi (another very close air strip) were not good. Finally about 9:30 to 9:45, after talking once again to Bosavi, the pilot made the decision that the legs to Bosavi and Walagu could not happen that day. The cargo for those two stops was offloaded, and the flight went on to drop people off at the other stops, as well as pick up other people coming into Ukarumpa.

To be honest, for the first few moments, it was so difficult and disappointing! But once the initial disappointment was over, I was so glad that the decision was made for safety!! But I was also in the back of my mind thinking, “Oh no, what will I do with Dickson!” So, I called the training center. He could go back into his dorm room. Hurray, they had not cleaned it yet ~ good for them to not need to clean it again. They had to check on the potential for meals. I did beg just a little bit. Yes, of course, he could have lunch, dinner, then breakfast before trying again Wednesday morning.
You have to understand that this time of the year is cloudy/rainy season in the greater Bosavi district of Papua New Guinea. It begins with morning fag which may burn away by late morning. Or you just might spend the day in the clouds with drizzly rain all day. No sun, no dry airstrip, just cold dampness that makes you feel like you are getting moldy just sitting there.

Wednesday morning, it was a later scheduled start, with just the two stops at Bosavi and Walagu, no pressure to finish in time for the rest of the program (that happened on Tuesday). The teaching team was able to get out to Bosavi. Dickson was able to get back to Walagu.

Of all of the photos that I took of Dickson, this one in the plane headed home was the biggest smile. He worked so hard, but as you can see, he was so happy to be heading home.

Here is Wednesday’s pilot doing the safety check pre-departure. Safety first. Missionary Pilots Are My Heroes!

For me, it is always a bit poignant when the plane takes off, leaving me behind. And Tuesday’s flight was so full with people and cargo. I did briefly think, hey there is not a full plane today. I could just fly to Walagu, say hello to my friends, then fly back! Not a financially wise choice, so common sense won out, but I did thing about it!

Thanks always for your prayers for not only the difficult work of Bible translation, learning computer skills, etc., but for safety in traveling our wild & wonderful Papua New Guinea.

Dickson flies back out to Walagu on Tuesday, PNG time

Monday was Dickson Wadaga’s last full day at Ukarumpa. He is scheduled to fly out from Ukarumpa to Walagu at 8 a.m. Tuesday (that would Monday afternoon 5p.m. Texas time).

I invited Dickson to eat dinner at my house tonight to celebrate the hard work accomplished during his time here. I also invited Johann and Antonia Alberts as well as Sylvia Grosh. Sylvia flies out to Bosavi on the same flight that Dickson travels to Walagu. Please join us in praying for good weather for the take offs, landings, and flying times tomorrow. The plane has a very busy schedule with many people coming and going.

This tired mentor is ready to head to bed!

Thoughts from a mentor . . .

Sitting in the classroom listening to the discussion, I know the answer, but I wait for the students to answer. Sometimes it is quite difficult not to answer. I noticed the other day, I was not answering out loud with my voice, but I was sitting there using ASL fingerspelling. Another time, I was watching Dickson type. He is new to typing, and struggling to find a certain letter. I noticed that my hand was in my lap, but the correct finger was reaching for the key on the imaginary keyboard in my mind!

The teachers and other mentors are from the training department. I am actually the only experienced Bible translator in the classroom. So, there are times when I can contribute good ideas to the class discussion.

Celebrating that this is Friday afternoon. We are all looking forward to the weekend. Then class Monday all day; class Tuesday in the morning; followed by class graduation Tuesday afternoon.

Faith & Trust

I was thinking about my faith and trust in God this morning.

First, I thought, I have lived by faith in coming and going to Papua New Guinea for so many years. Each month, when I see the statement of those who gave to God for the work of Onobasulu Bible translation my heart is overwhelmed with awe and gratitude. And, yes, God did so many miracles getting me back to PNG in June!

However, just a month after I left Texas for PNG, my Texas storage unit was burglarized. It has been so difficult to figure out what really is missing from a whole other country. Thanks to my two nieces who have helped so much! But I still need to finalize the police and insurance reports!! Then, when I was packing, I mailed four boxes to myself. Two have arrived; two are still wandering the globe (or have been lost to me). I spent God’s money buying what went into those boxes and mailing them, as I believed that I needed all of those items.

My human response is to complain to God, “How could you let my boxes be lost and my storage shed robbed?!” Does this mean my faith is somehow broken? Are there holes to be repaired? Or am I just being stretched? I don’t know. But I join my buddies, David and Job, and bring my complaint to God. What is His answer? I am tucked into a beautiful valley in the midst of mountainous PNG that He created. The skies declare the glory of the Lord. The very air that I just breathed is supplied by Him. He has poured so many amazing benefits into my life ~ most importantly, the gift of salvation and eternal life and fellowship with God, the creator of the universe.

So today, I share with you my deepest thoughts. Do I have all of the answers? No. Just the one answer: God is good, all of the time.

I pray that your faith and trust grows in God. However, be warned, it can be painful. Thanks for praying for me, especially during this growth season.

Jesus, I do believe, help my unbelief.

Fellowship Time

A favorite part of my Onobasulu coworkers being here in Ukarumpa is the opportunity for times of fellowship. The first night that Dickson arrived in Ukarumpa we had a meal at my house. That night I also invited a good friend, Karen Rowe. As two Kaluli men were also working at Ukarumpa, I invited them that evening also. The Kaluli are a neighboring language group. One of the men is even part Onobasulu. I hoped this would help Dickson to not feel to lonely as the only Onobasulu person in Ukarumpa. I forgot, though, to take a photo. Dickson’s first week he lived in the national quarter’s men’s dorm. The two Kaluli men were staying in a room close by.

Sunday lunch is another good time to eat and fellowship. On the 27 of July, Andy and Sylvia Grosh invited both Dickson and me to their house. The Grosh family works with the Kaluli people. The normally have the Kaluli men over on Sundays. Dickson and I enjoyed the great meal and fun fellowship, including playing Bible Trivia after lunch.

Andy took the photo above. I took the photo below. So in your mind, you can put our group all together.

After the first week, Dickson moved out to our training center that includes a mess hall. He eats all of his meals there. A few days for lunch, I joined him and the other students for lunch. We were able to discuss how he was doing during the course. After a few times eating there in the mess hall, I could see that Dickson had made more friends among the other students, and that he enjoyed visiting with his fellow students. So, for this last week, I’ll eat lunch at my house, and sneak in a quite rest before the afternoon session.

Last Sunday on 11 August, I invited Dickson over to my house for lunch again. During the previous week, Andy Grosh and the two Kaluli men had returned to Bosavi for their work there. Therefore, I invited Sylvia to join Dickson and me for lunch. I also asked that she bring the Bible Trivia game. : )
We had a great lunch and visit. But once again I forgot a photo.

Three of Four Weeks Completed

Late Tuesday afternoon in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea!

Many of our courses here begin, then end in the middle of the week to allow travel to Ukarumpa. So from 23 July to 6 August, Dickson was in the Computer Basics course. Today we complete the first full week of the Paratext training course. (Paratext is the specially designed text editor for translating Scripture into vernacular languages around the world.)

So, our bodies are tired, our brains feel like they are overflowing. As I type this, I’m watching Dickson practice some text formatting skills. When I consider that less than a month ago, he had basically no computer skills, my heart is amazed how his progress. Please do keep on holding us all up in your prayers!

Computer Basics Training Course

On Tuesday of this week, Dickson Wadaga completed the two week computer basics course. The computer basics course ran from Wednesday, 24 July until 6 August.

Try to imagine, as an adult, one day you have never worked on a computer, then the next day, you are in class all day learning so much information about computers!!

Class discussions.

Dickson Wadaga receives his certificate of completion of Computer Basics course.

This course was a great multi-cultural course. The teachers were from Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica. The course mentor was a lady from Germany. The students were from various languages from all over Papua New Guinea, and me, from the USA. We joked that I was the only native speaker of English. I did not correct them, that really my native language is Texan. : )