Missionary Rachel Searcy is learning the culture and language of the Punan people of Indonesia from the greatest resource of all -- the Punan people.
"This morning I talked to Hinon Apan for several hours," wrote Rachel. "She is elderly and nearly blind. She told me to come talk to her about God and she would talk to me about all that she knows. She is just one of many who have willingly offered to help me learn their language and the way they do things."
New Tribes Mission has made a shift in recent years as to how our missionaries go about learning tribal cultures and languages. The emphasis is now on spending more time with the people to learn it naturally.
"On Monday I joined Hamun and Hinon Marta and two of their young daughters going upriver to their rice field to burn it," Rachel wrote. "Every year each family clears a patch of jungle on a hillside and burns it for a rice field."
"I came home smelling of smoke and covered with ash but thankful to have friends who let me tag along and experience a bit more of ordinary life here. I already have multiple offers to take me along when they plant their fields here in a few weeks."
Every experience with the people, hearing how they talk and seeing what they do, gives the missionary what books can't give -- culture and language in practical action.
Yet there is still necessary book study involved which a missionary must also find time to sit down and do.
"Some days I stay at home and process and review the text and vocabulary and cultural information that I have gathered," she wrote. "Other days I want to stay home to process, but get called away to visit or play volleyball or to practice driving the outboard motor. Pray that I will be able to balance my time wisely."
Pray for the whole team of missionaries working among the Punan people that they would have wisdom to balance all the important jobs (learning culture and language, teaching Bible lessons and literacy, medical work etc.) associated with reaching a remote tribal group with the Gospel.
Disclaimer: This personal ministry website is provided by New Tribes Mission (NTM) as a courtesy to its members. NTM makes no warranty regarding the accuracy of the information on these pages. Opinions expressed are provided by members in good faith, but are entirely those of the member and do not necessarily represent policy, doctrinal position, or opinions of NTM. If you encounter information that you consider questionable, please e-mail the NTM web team.
GET INVOLVED
_img.jpg)
_img.jpg)