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[The nicely formatted version of this newsletter with pictures is at http://eBible.org/mpj/NL0302.pdf if you want to see it.] Computers and Bible Translation By Michael Paul Johnson The invention of the printing press both drastically lowered the cost of a copy of the Bible and reduced the number of copying errors in the Bibles that were printed. Since the Gutenberg Bible was printed in around 1450, printing presses and Bible printing have continued to improve in both quality and capacity. Godly applications of technology continue with the inventions of electronic communications and computers. Typesetting is now something that is done with computers instead of boxes of movable type. Now, with notebook computers and solar power, it is possible to take advantage of computer technology even in remote places like the villages in the rain forests of Papua New Guinea, as well as in places like Ukarumpa that have electrical power. With custom computer software, we can do much more to aid the Bible translation process than just word processing and typesetting. My own work as part of the WordWorks team is to create and improve software that does linguistic analysis on Bible texts for the purpose of assisting the Bible translator with the actual translation process. This is especially useful when translating the Scriptures into a language when there is already a Bible translation in a related language, or when one project involves a team approach to translating the Scriptures into a group of related languages. Our goal is to help Bible translators quickly create a first draft, which can then be checked for accuracy against the original language texts and tested for understanding with the target audience. It is then edited as needed, then typeset and printed. Existing software has proven that the concept is good, and is already helping more people to get the Holy Bible in their own language faster. The WordWorks team is part of a larger Bible translation software development effort called FieldWorks. We come from several different Bible translation agencies, including SIL International (sister organization to Wycliffe Bible Translators), Evangel Bible Translators, and New Tribes Mission. In this way, we get input from a large number of Bible translators about what their needs are, and we provide software to meet those needs to Bible translators working on Bible translations for hundreds of languages. Please pray that we will be effective in getting the Word of God to more people in the language they understand best. Adoption Update Many of you have been asking about where we are in the adoption process. In the last 6 months, we have been able to finish gathering and submitting all of the paperwork required by the Inter-Country Adoption Board. We have submitted it to the PNG government, and they have forwarded it on to the Philippine government. We are now waiting for approval of the application. After that comes another waiting period while the agency matches us with a little girl needing a home. Thank you for your prayers for favor with the officials involved. Kid�s Column By Nate, Ben, and Evan We�ve written one of these quizzes before and now it�s back by popular demand! 1. How many earthquakes are there a day on average in Papua New Guinea? A. About 25 B. About 50 C. About 100 D. About 500 2. Which of these animals does not live in PNG? A. Tree Kangaroos B. Rats C. Monkeys D. Echidnas 3. How many McDonalds are located in PNG? A. 0 B. 2 C. 8 D. 16 4. When did the Independent State of Papua New Guinea became a nation? A. 1985 B. 1975 C. 1968 D. 1952 5. How many TV broadcast channels do most people in Ukarumpa receive? A. 32 B. 0 C. 2 D. 3 6. What is a PMV? A. A crowded truck full of people B. A common form of public transportation in PNG C. A vehicle rugged enough to survive PNG roads D. All of the above. 7. How many people fit in a Public Motor Vehicle (PMV)? A. 5 B. 21 C. 12 D. 1 more Answers: 1 C (but most are too weak to feel); 2 C; 3 A; 4 B; 5 B; 6 D; 7 D There�s No Place Like Home... Unfortunately for us, clicking our heels three times and repeating, "There's no place like home" doesn't get us magically back to the good ole' USA. This June, it will have been about 1� years since we've all been back to visit our supporters, friends and family, and we miss you all! (We also miss the shopping, restaurants, and fast internet connections.) If you did an Expedia or Travelocity Internet search for air fare from Papua New Guinea to the USA, you would find that it costs around $10,000.00 for a family of 5 for just a simple round trip, and that doesn't cover the light aircraft flight from Ukarumpa to the capital of PNG! So far, we have about half of that saved up. At this time we are hoping to visit supporters, friends, and family in Denver, Dallas (where Michael is scheduled to attend an important WordWorks Conference in July), Seattle, and Honolulu, before returning to PNG. We'd love to visit more people and stay longer, but we are trying to fit our travels within our six week winter break. Please pray for us as we travel, not just for our safety, but that we would be a blessing wherever we go. Jesus Christ is LORD! Your Bible translation missionaries, Michael & Lori Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://eBible.org/mpj/ Home telephone 011+675-737-4316; work 011+675-737-4519 SIL BOX 421, UKARUMPA 444, EHP, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Support (mark "for the ministry of Michael & Lori Johnson"): EVANGEL BIBLE TRANSLATORS, PO BOX 16715, IRVINE CA 92623-6715 Please let us know if your email address changes. Thanks! -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 7.0.4 Comment: http://eBible.org/mpj/ iQA/AwUBPlxoVESP4McX10e7EQJr/ACeKx08pYiPYzRRw4xUHMdkIXpLBgsAn3zC QKJ7JAQfhJIR37MnH7431wDQ =4WZU -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- _______ "Do to others as you would have them do to you." -- Luke 6:31 (NIV) List host: http://eBible.org/mpj/ List info: http://RangerNet.org/faq.htm To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm
