Located just north of Australia in the Pacific Ocean, Papua New Guinea (PNG) features varied landscapes including mountainous terrain, coastal lowlands and rolling foothills. It’s also known as one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse places in the world. Over 800 languages are spoken across islands that collectively make up the size of California. And Amam is one of the many languages in PNG.

The Amam team is truly dedicated to making sure their community has access to Scripture in their language. Awi, a translator on the team, experienced technical difficulties while working one day — but even though his computer was unresponsive, he wasn’t going to let that hiccup slow down his work. Since it wouldn’t be possible to repair the computer soon — and getting a replacement wasn’t likely — Awi located a pen and began writing out Bible verses by hand, his work spanning across pages of his notebook. Because of his fervent writing, his pen began to run out of ink. Not to be deterred, Awi looked for a pencil and then kept writing!

Awi and his teammates have spent 11 years working to finish the New Testament. The process has been difficult because until recently, the team hasn’t received much outside help. But local churches yearning for God’s Word in their language have backed the translators throughout the years. Driven by their community’s desire for Amam Scripture, Awi and the team have finally completed drafts of all 27 New Testament books!

With additional help and resources, the translators hope to speed up the process of checking and publishing their work — and finally get the long-awaited Amam New Testament into the hands of the people.

God is raising up His Church to participate in the work of Bible translation — and that is evident in the Amam community! An interdenominational committee of churches has encouraged translation efforts for years, enabling Awi and his colleagues to draft all 27 New Testament books, as well as check five books with a consultant. The team will also check the remaining books with a consultant, and the entire New Testament will be produced in print and audio formats.

Local church leaders are ready to use the New Testament to address major needs. A project coordinator said: "[Christians] have come to realize that for the church to be vibrant and strong, Scripture in [their language] is a must." Because the gospel message was first introduced to the Amam in the 1950s and was shared in another language that expressed foreign concepts, having Scripture in Amam will help people deepen their understanding of God’s Word and their relationship with Him.

Church leaders also believe that the New Testament will help root the community in God’s Word and His truths. As the Amam region becomes more accessible to outsiders, leaders are concerned that many individuals could be negatively influenced by the world around them. They plan to help provide people with biblical principles and morals to help build character and encourage Christian values.

Praise God for the way He is on the move in communities and churches around the world today!

Prayer points:

• Perseverance for the team as they work to check the remaining New Testament books with a consultant.


• That people would be transformed by God through His Word in Amam.


• Praise: Churches are supportive of the work of Bible translation!