There was a very positive response among the Marangis people to the translation awareness workshop held there in October. The attendance was very high and by the end of the workshop the people were definitely ready to begin working on the translation program. So it was a bit surprising when we arrived to conduct an alphabet workshop in January and no one was ready.

The main problem seems to be a leadership struggle currently underway. The man who was elected as local level government leader had his victory challenged in court. Even though the court case has been settled, the people are still divided and this is hindering the start of the program there.

An alphabet and writers workshop was held in Marangis in July of 2003. The response was astounding as the people read and wrote in their own language for the first time. By the end of the workshop all 18 participants had asked if they could please attend the October translation workshop. They reasoned that the more translators they had, the sooner they would have the Bible in their language. Right now the Marangis are the high point of our work with the Lower Ramu groups.

Prayer Points

• We are thankful for the high turnout and enthusiasm during the ladies' writers workshop in October 2007. Please pray that those ladies will continue to write stories in their language and that their enthusiasm will be contagious.
• Pray for the men who are working on the book of Jonah that God will give them insight into how they can improve their translation.
• Pray that the people of Watam village will become interested in participating in the literacy and translation work.
• Pray that the Lord will continue to raise up qualified people to serve as translators and literacy workers.