The first-ever Inapang literacy graduation moved even the strongest tribal men to tears of joy.
"We have seen grown men cry because they are reading and writing in their own language," wrote missionary Kelley Housley.
Last Saturday 15 Inapang men and women of Papua New Guinea stood proudly by the little village school and shared their newfound accomplishment.
"They dressed in their ancestral clothes, ornamented with sport watches, tennis shoes and eye glasses," Kelley wrote, "and used the community megaphone to read their very own stories that they wrote in their own language."
About 300 people listened and rejoiced with them. But the joy wasn't just because of the important skill they had obtained. It was also from what they would eventually be able to do with it.
One graduate's story told it best.
"My name is Gumentige. … I came into this literacy class and now I can read and write in my own language. I am really happy about this. … Why am I happy about this school? Because this is how we will learn. … If we learn to read and write in our own language, we can read God's own Word and then other men won't come and deceive us about His talk."
Gumentige wants to know the truth. He had helped Kelley's husband, Bill, with the Bible translation work and was already being challenged by what the Scriptures said.
He "made a little speech at the end of our celebration last night and was in tears as he talked about being able to read and his hopes of reading the Bible to find out what the truth is," Kelley wrote.
"We have no doubts that the Holy Spirit is preparing many hearts here in the same way through the power of your faithful prayers. The second and third literacy classes (with their own [tribal] teachers) start on Monday. Please remember them in your prayers."
With the blessing of tribal people learning to read, and God already working in hearts, and the anticipation of evangelistic Bible teaching beginning in July, Kelley's enthusiasm is genuine and heartfelt.
"These are exciting times! It is fun to be a missionary!"
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