On Wednesday, 2 August 2023, the LAI Head Office welcomed a delegation of ministry partners from Papua, led by Mr Natan Pahabol, a member of the Papua Provincial Legislative Council. He was accompanied by seven leaders of the Synod of the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) in Papua. They met specifically with LAI’s leadership to discuss the continuation of their partnership with LAI in ensuring that the Bible reaches more people in Papua, particularly the Yali ethnic community.

LAI is currently in the process of recording the Audio Bible in the Yali Angguruk language. The GKI Synod of Papua is very hopeful that this recording of the Yali Bible will soon be put to optimal use by the Yali tribal community, serving as a tool for studying the Holy Scriptures and strengthening the faith of the congregation. 

In initial discussions, efforts will be made to ensure the recordings are made available in formats such as the Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) for use and listening together within communities or groups. At present, an audio Bible is already available via the ‘Proclaimer’ device, though its content is currently limited to the New Testament. In future, it is hoped that a complete Bible app in the Yali language, complete with audio, will be available to help many believers draw closer to the Word of God. Further proposals from partners suggest that the Yali Bible app will eventually be usable without the need for an internet connection (online), as internet connectivity is not yet adequate in the areas where the Yali people live. 

The recording of the Bible in the Yali language is expected to be completed in November 2023. The Synod of the GKI Tanah Papua hopes that the Yali Angguruk audio Bible can be launched on 5 February 2024 to coincide with the celebrations marking the arrival of the Gospel in Papua.

In addition, discussions were held regarding a special order from GKI Tanah Papua to print the TB2 Bible, complete with hymns and the Creed, to support worship among the congregation of GKI Tanah Papua.

May the collaboration between LAI, the churches, the local government of Papua, and the elected representatives will help spread the Good News throughout the whole of Papua, so that the congregation may be equipped to do good works in bringing forth the signs of the Kingdom of God in the world. (ori)