Updated Relationship Status

Noe-Lisa Martinez went from "Dating" to "Single".

Yes, go ahead and smile. :) We have been talking and thinking and praying with two other families about potentially partnering in a tribal church planting work here in PNG for the last year (or longer). As Noe puts it so well, it's like we were "dating" each other.

Last week, we all decided not to partner together-- but we are SO happy to report that it is NOT for any negative reason! The reason we are not partnering together is that those two families are going to go in together with the hope/plan of having a family from a neighboring tribal church join them in the work. This is ‘purposeful partnership.' How amazing is this?!

**Really, folks, this is a wonderful picture of what it really means to make disciples. Be encouraged. "Training nationals to do the job" is SO much more than 'here is the Gospel, here is the Bible, go for it!' It involves years and years, countless hours of intentional discipleship. In this neighboring tribal church, the missionaries (who happen to be here as some of our advisors at this time!) spent years:

1.     Learning the tribal language AND culture (this includes understand the depths of the animistic belief system/worldview of the people they were going to share God's Word with)

2.    Preparing Bible lessons that are accurate to the original meaning, but relevant to the culture

3.    Preparing a literacy program so the people could learn to read and write in their own language- with the end goal that they can read the Bible in their own language. Also, discipleship will be immensely difficult without this.

4.    Beginning to translate the Bible into the tribal language- again, understanding the culture so that the translation will be accurate in meaning, and relevant in form. Unfortunately, many translations have been set aside because the culture and worldview was not understood by the translators. Additionally, some translations are quickly completed, but there are no solid Bible teachers to teach it, and/or no believers to hand it to.

5.    Teaching through the Bible for the FIRST time in the tribal language! And being available to dialogue each day and answer questions. (The questions will stem from their worldview, so if you haven't learned that, you'll have great difficulty answering these questions!)

6.    Discipling- walking with new believers and helping them grow in their understanding of God and His Word! "Therefore go and make converts of all nations..." No! haha :) "Therefore go and make DISCIPLES of all nations..." (!) This discipleship includes working together to reach neighboring tribes and languages. The end goal is that they will be well equipped to continue this work on their own.

What a privilege to be a part of this amazing work! To be a part of His mission, to be a part of 'updating relationship status':

Darkness ... to Light

Stranger ... to Citizen

Lost ... to Found

Not a People ... to a People

(etc!!)

So as we look at these two families, these friends of ours, we are filled with joy that they will hopefully have the opportunity to have a believing tribal family come and join with them, as co-laborers for the cross of Christ. Tribal believers who have been discipled by missionaries who considered it worth their while to be in it for the long haul. THIS is "training nationals to do the job". Speaking of which... this tribal church has now shared the Word of God with almost ALL of the villages in the tribe! And now, as you can see, they are preparing to partner with western missionaries to go into some of these harder-to-reach places. As the tribal church continues to grow in maturity and tools, they will be able to go to some of these places on their own.

So yes, we did have a bit of an emotional week as we "broke up" with these two families. But again, it is for happy reasons. We had plenty of reasons to partner together, we all are of one mind and vision in regard to church planting. So we spent last week fellowshipping with them, and on Sunday we drove them to the airport to catch their flight back to another region.

These little MK's have been friends since 2009! (well, most of them)

Language Check Update:

Many of you heard through other sources, but we all did well on our language evaluations last month. We are both out of Basic level and into the Progressing level. The next level is Capable, and we are continuing to work hard to learn this language and culture (remember, the two cannot be separated if you expect to translate, teach, and disciple with accuracy, relevance, and understanding).

The girls also had a little language check, and they both passed, being able to answer all of the questions presented to them! Way to go, munchkins! :)

We have about 6 weeks remaining here in Madang. Pray for us to be diligent in our studies, and ever loving toward one another. :)

On a Funny Note...

When to NOT combine English and Tok Pisin: If you are trying to say "I'll take a little!"

"I'll take a little lik (leak)!"  .... Oops!

("Little" in Tok Pisin is 'liklik')

First Language Check!

Language learning

Well, we have been in PNG for nearly 2 months now, and in just a couple days we will have our first language check! There is a CLA (Culture & Language Acquisition) consultant who happens to be in town this week, and he has offered to do our language checks/evaluations.

So we will both sit down with him and some nationals for a couple hours to be evaluated on what we’re learning of the culture and how we are filing our data, as well as an extensive evaluation of our progress in learning the national language, Tok Pisin.

Please pray that we will think clearly and do our best!

(We are also going to have someone give a language check to our girls! They are old enough to learn quite a bit, and they’re doing pretty well at grasping some basic vocabulary and practical expressions.)

The time is passing quickly- we are already halfway through our time here in Madang. Can you believe that? J When we know more details, we will let you know about our upcoming Bush Orientation (and what that means).

Naya learning how to scrape coconut meat,
Jocie having her hair braided

We are praying a lot these days as we consider partnering with two other families in a church planting work. JOIN US in praying for this important decision! We will update you when we can.

We made Mexican tacos for some of the believers
who are visiting. A cultural experience for them! :)

Thank you for keeping up with us! It’s a joy and blessing to have your support and partnership.

Check back soon for an update on our language check!

**Note- we have a new Page here on our blog, called "Letters/Packages". It includes info and lists (!) for those of you who have asked about sending things to us. (The page is located in the menu/bar at the top.) Thank you!!

~Noe, Lisa, Naya and Jocie

Jocie with her friend Nora

Mipela i lainim Tok Pisin!

It means "We are learning Tok Pisin (Pidgin, the national language of PNG)!"

Today was August 24th. That marks one month since we landed in PNG. Can you believe that?!

Helping fuel the NTM helicopter

It has been a busy and fruitful month of adjusting and learning, and lately starting to really dive in to language learning and experiencing the local culture.

All four of us have done remarkably well adjusting to the climate. The girls complained MUCH less than I anticipated, and that's been a huge blessing. None of us have been hit with homesickness (but don't worry, we think of you all frequently and we miss you a lot!), which is a huge praise!

We've been able to get out into the nearby villages quite a bit, both as a family, and Noe by himself. So we've started building on some new friendships, and we've both found individuals who are willing (and excited) to help us learn the language.

Through language sessions and conversation/storying, we are learning the language more each day. Also recently, a group of believers from a tribal church has visited, all of whom are great 'teachers' for those of us learning Tok Pisin.
We're thankful for these brothers and sisters in Christ.

The girls' first time seeing a chopper

We have now visited two different national churches in this area. One of them has a Sunday school class for kids, which Naya in particular enjoyed. Twice a month we are also meeting together as believers here at NTM, which is a huge encouragement.

We're becoming increasingly familiar with the logistics of going into Madang town for groceries and produce from the market. Noe is a great driver... he usually stays on the right correct side of the road ;) And he knows where the 'surprise' pot-holes are now. The girls enjoy going to town with us... well ok not really, but they know that going to town is their only chance to get an ice cream cone! :) So they usually don't complain...too much.

Naya is plugging away at 1st Grade, and doing very well! Jocie is doing preschool (when she's not playing with her little friends next-door, Nora and Rinn), and we are starting to focus on forming letters and numbers. She'll start Kindergarten next July hopefully.

Jocie, with friends Nora and Rinn

We're VERY thankful to have all been quite healthy for this first month! THANK YOU for your prayers, your encouragement, and your financial support! We are here because of you, and we want you to feel involved and BE involved. (What would you like to hear about? Feel free to email us with questions or comments ANY time!)

~the Martinez family

p.s. -- stay tuned for info on Naya and Jocie's upcoming blog! (Not a post- their OWN blog!) Another way for your kids, and kids in your church, to get a window into the lives of missionary kids growing up in another culture, getting to know Jesus, and having the opportunity to share Him with the unreached!

Enjoying reading a "Maily" email... (the girls email with relatives
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