How do you evaluate someone’s
ability in a language that you yourself don’t understand? That
is one of the questions I had when I was beginning to be trained
to help out other missionaries by evaluating their progress in
language and culture study. Recently, I spent about a week
traveling with two other men, Rory Fuller and Aaron Weatherl, to
two other tribes here in Papua New Guinea getting answers to
those questions. I was able to observe and participate in
evaluating 8 other missionaries who are doing a great job
building relationships, getting involved with the people’s lives
and now communicating to them in their language. It is exciting
being able to be involved and help speed the process of the
gospel being shared in two other languages and a church being
established in those tribes.
Rory and Aaron also came to
the Patpatar tribe to give my wife an evaluation. Here is what
Aaron had to say:
“Lori has made incredible progress
with her CLA despite some very high obstacles. She has been able
to work with homeschooling Avalon, being a mother, a wife and
main cook. A very tall order. Her ability has increased over
the last 6 months. It was evident when we were out in the
village that she was able to easily communicate with people on
very personal levels. Even when we had Lori talk to a man she
normally never talks to she was able to do so well. She had no
problems hearing what he said and also being able to make
herself come across clearly. She never switched to pidgin (the
trade language) and was able to maintain her composure even in
some different circumstances.”
She did do very well and I am
amazed at the progress she has made with all of her other
responsibilities. Lori was given the evaluation mark of
“Capable Mid,” which essentially means that on a 9 level scale
to officially complete language and culture study she is on
level 8. She is always able to communicate with at least
paragraphs to the people. Because of her progress she is now
going to be turning her focus more fully on developing the
literacy program for the Patpatar and translating small books
for the people to be able to read. As well, she is planning on
taking another evaluation in 6 months to see if she is at the
“Capable High” level to have the language skills necessary for
formal teaching and Bible translation in case God chooses to use
her in those areas.
Thank you all for your prayers
for my travels and for Lori’s evaluation. It is good to be back
home in the tribe with my family. I am so privileged to be
married to such a “capable woman” and have 3 little girls that
are following in her steps.
Aaron,
Lori, Avalon, Sierra, and Kylee Luse
Missionaries with New Tribes Mission
To the Patpatar of Papua New Guinea
www.tribalmissions.com
www.ntm.org/aaron_luse
