Translation and literacy programmes and appropriate Christian literature are fundamental for acculturating the gospel. PNG has over 800 languages, and the majority still do not have a single verse of Scripture. SIL, NTM, PNG Bible Translation Association, The Bible Society, Pioneer Bible Translators and other indigenous groups participate in over 260 translation projects; about 210 languages have a NT, but only 12 or so have a complete Bible. Translation teams are needed for 160 languages and possibly for a further 250.
- Pray for translators, for means of making the arduous task faster and more accurate and for indigenous translators/language assistants. Pray also for literacy training - the written, translated Word of God is of little help if no one is reading it. Good use of storytelling and oral forms of Scripture can also have great impact.
- Praise God that local governments are supporting Bible translation work - the impact of such projects on general literacy has positive knock-on effects for society, quite apart from the value of having Scripture in local languages.