M&J Connection

The film is about our life and ministry in Papua New Guinea. It highlights the progress we are seeing in Kala and Binumarien language projects over the last couple of years. To learn more or donate to our ministry go to https://www.wycliffe.ca/member/michie-mitchelljaneen/

Acknowledgement: The recording of the Binumarien New Testament and Proclaimer audio players were provided by Faith Comes By Hearing.

Dear Family & Friends,

Our kids are learning and growing. It’s sweet to hear Jenessa learning to talk. Josh taught her to say hot dog. Which sounds more like “hot do.” 

Isaac has been afraid of the dark. Over time we have prayed with him, and taught him songs and verses about God being with him. One evening, Isaac went downstairs with his brother looking for a toy. Isaac said, “We are ok. God is here. God is with us in the dark”.

Joshua is a very inquistive boy and loves nature. After catching a small lizard on a nearby tree, he made a cardboard box home for it. He has decided to do a research project about lizards.

Bible Translation:  Equipping God’s Servants

The process of translating verses with the Kala team has led to a number of conversations that point to the power of God’s Word, gently prodding those who are open to listen.  As we were working through some verses in Acts that described idolatry, one translator raised questions that he has been asking about practices in his church.  He said, “In my church, the crucifix is a very important part of every service.  Before each service, the designated elder brings it out carefully and places it at the front.  The pastor and elders bow to it as the service begins.  When the service is over, the same elder wraps the crucifix and puts it away carefully in a little house that was built just for it. It bothers me because it seems like it is being used like an idol.”  The translator concluded that he would pray and then discuss the matter with his pastor. I (Mitchell) supported the prompting that God had put in his heart. We trust that as the Kala readers and interact with more of God’s Word in their mother tongue, his servants will be equipped “for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2Timothy 3:16).

Translations Give Rise to Song

In October, four Kala worship leaders participated in a worship music writing workshop along with representatives from six other language groups in Lae.  The goal was to lift up the name of the Lord and encourage local churches to worship in culturally meaningful musical and linguistic forms.  Each language group has translated the Gospel of Mark and other Scripture portions into their language. Those translations became the basis of new songs of praise in their language.  One of the men has already been writing worship songs in his language.  Here is a link to a song that we produced in a village studio a couple of years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLRsW2kM4xk

Making the Most of Every Opportunity: Covid-19 Style

During a recent work session with the Binu- marien translation team at the mission centre, a couple of our translators tested positive for Covid-19. The mission clinic put the team into isolation for two weeks and our family into quarantine for five days. Immediately, my work priorities shifted to caring for these men who I was unable to see and making sure they had a good supply of groceries, fruits and vegetables from the market, and medicines. I thank God for colleagues who bought food for them and for a system of ordering from the local store over the network. The translators recovered quickly and did not develop severe symptoms.

While the team was in isolation, I supported them in their work by long phone calls to pro- vide training and troubleshooting. Their fer- vency to continue their work reminded me of the Apostle Paul who wrote a large portion of the New Testament while in prison. As individ- uals and in small groups, they read through and made various revisions to their translations of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 2 Chroni- cles, Ezra, and Nehemiah! In their enthusiasm to serve the Lord and see God’s Word translated into their language, they modeled to us the Apostle Paul’s words to the Ephesians to make “the most of every opportunity” (Eph 5:16).

Faith Comes By Hearing

Thank you for praying for the families and church groups who received an audio player loaded with recordings of the Binumarien New Testament. The recording and players were sponsored by Faith Comes By Hearing. We re- cently heard from over forty small groups and families who are using the units. Here are trans- lations of some reports we received:

Rume writes: “After our family has cooked food, we put on the radio and listen to God’s Word. Our family understands the points, and then we discuss the points that we have under- stood. I am happy to God Three in One and whoever has made this little radio.”

Faufau reports: “I am a leader. The audio player prepares me very well for my day, because I am not able to read.”

Tatua writes: “The player gives us God’s pure Word. I put it inside my string bag when I travel. God is with me. When I am in the village and have finished eating, I put it on and listen to God’s Word. I listen until it is time to sleep.”

Adao writes: “I am an old man. It is very hard for me to go to church and hear God’s Word. But now the audio player has arrived in the Bi- numarien language.”

Your gifts of generosity to the Lord are pleasing to Him. We rejoice in seeing God provide our needs day by day.

Grace and peace,

Mitchell & Janeen Michie

For Contributions:
Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada 4316 – 10 St. NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 6K3 (Please enclose a note designating your gift for Mitchell & Janeen Michie.)Tel: 1-800-463-1143

wycliffe.ca/michie-mitchelljaneen/

Answer to Prayer

Over the last few years, I (Mitchell) have shared my desire for God to send someone to help with the Binumarien language group. David is a Wycliffe US member who recently arrived and has previous language work experience in Asia. He plans to work with the Binumarien team in continuing Old Testament translation.

David is currently in a culture and language orientation course. I plan to continue with the Binumarien at least through the end of the year. As he takes up more and more work, I will be able to devote more of my time to the Kala language project.

Listening Groups

At the end of April, I hiked with my son Joshua and David over the mountain and into the Binumarien language area where we distributed solar powered audio devices loaded with the Binumarien New Testament. Various delays due to Covid-19 and other security issues made it challenging to get out these audio players which were graciously sponsored by Faith Comes By Hearing. About forty-five listening groups have been set up among the churches, women’s groups, youth groups, and families in Binumaria. During leader’s training, they listened to and interacted with the story of Nicodemus’s visit to Jesus at
night and the temptation of Jesus.

A challenging hike

It rained the morning of the climb and the day before. As we hiked over the mountain into Binumaria we slipped and fell climbing the steep slippery reddish clay, but I struggled the most. A travelling companion cut a bamboo walking stick for me. We arrived in the village after dark but our hosts had food and a place to rest ready. Later, one of my supervisors told me, “It’s good
for the nationals to see you slip and fall because the nationals we work with tend to put missionaries on a pedestal and it’s good for them to seethat we have limitations too.”

Welcome Ceremony
We were warmly welcomed during a ceremony the next morning. After their traditional song and dance the leaders called to us, “What is your business here in this village? You must tell us before you enter.” Our response was, “God has
sent us here to do His work.” With that, they ceremonially welcomed us in. An encouraging result of setting up the listening groups is the increase in sales of the printed New Testament. Sixty sold over the past month and there are requests for another twenty-five including a set for the primary school for when the pastors teach religious education to the students. Praise the Lord!

Inter-provincial travel ban lifted

Up until recently, my work with the Kala langroup has been from a distance. Fortunately my supervisor who bases in the coastal city of Lae could work with the team in May. Now the inter-provincial travel ban has been lifted and we are in Lae for a few weeks. I am advisor checking chapters of Acts with the Kala
team and Janeen is creating an audio recording for nationals in the village to check their understanding of the text.

Our main focus is Acts 1-9 which details the beginning of the Church and the persecution Christians faced as they obeyed Jesus. These chapters are so instructive for churches today.

Praying for you

We hear that many churches in Canada are grappling with what it means to be a faithful body of Christ in these days of government restrictions.
We have shared with our teams about various situations that churches and pastors are encountering. The Binumarien and Kala translation teams are praying for you.

1 Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyedwhen his glory is revealed.”

We give thanks

We are thankful that the government here values the social and spiritual fabric of their nation. Religious gatherings are allowed to sizes five times more than meetings for business purposes. We are thankful for a good school and that our
children are well cared for. The kids are happy for summer break. Joshua enjoys reading. He has good friends nearby to play with. Isaac says “I’m thankful for God”. He loves to play matching and memory games. We are delighted to see Jenessa gaining confidence walking and playing. Janeen is starting up an art group for missionary women that will meet monthly for coffee and art.
We are thankful for your gifts and prayers!

Blessings,

Mitchell and Janeen Michie

M&J Prayer Points
 Pray that God would powerfully use His Word among the Biniumarien as they
listen to His Word in small groups.

 Pray for David Kawatski as he under goes orientation and language learning and prepares to become a translation advisor.

 Pray for the Binuamarien translators as they translate more of the Old Testa-
ment.

 Please pray for Fasu Ikuo, a Binumarien translator, and his family. They are
grieving the sudden loss of their fourteen year old son to tuberculosis. Fasu’s unwavering faith in God through this situation has challenged me.

 Pray that the Kala translation team would continue to persevere in their translation work especially after they return to their village.

 Please pray for more teachers to serve in the international school on the mission centre as they are struggling to meet the needs for the coming school year.

 Pray that we might see the Great Reset of Revelation 21-22 when all things wil be made new and God’s people will enter the new heaven and the new earth!

Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Rev. 22:20b)

Contact us or donate using the following information:

Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada
4316 – 10 St. NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 6K3
(Please enclose a note designating your
gift for Mitchell & Janeen Michie.)
Tel: 1-800-463-1143
wycliffe.ca/michie-mitchelljaneen/