Hanna has been working in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a Bible translation advisor since 2012 and since 2015 has worked with the Kope people of Gulf Province. In her last field term (mid 2019 to late 2023) she witnessed God at work through the following: dedicating the Gospel of Luke in the Kope language […]

Hanna has been working in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a Bible translation advisor since 2012 and since 2015 has worked with the Kope people of Gulf Province. In her last field term (mid 2019 to late 2023) she witnessed God at work through the following:

• dedicating the Gospel of Luke in the Kope language
• building a classroom for workshops and a kitchen, dormitory and ablutions blocks
• teaching Oral Bible Storytelling skills to six language communities
• teaching vernacular literacy teaching skills to eight language communities, and
• supporting the teaching of several Scripture Use workshops.

During this time Hanna also faced challenges, which included COVID-19 closing international borders, many of her friends leaving the field permanently, and her family enduring a major loss.

Returning to PNG, Hanna will continue to support, teach and advise the Kope team as they draft translations of Acts and Genesis. Nine new language communities are being invited to attend Oral Bible Storytelling workshops. Trainees from the previous workshops are being mentored as trainers through these new workshops. Scripture Use workshops will continue; these involve supporting, training and mentoring two local Scripture Use teams. One group is teaching the SALT course (Scripture Application and Leadership Training) and the other is teaching Story Based Trauma Healing. Thankfully Hanna’s colleagues Nate and Jennifer take the lead in the mentoring and training of these groups, although Hanna is involved in planning and support. Vernacular literacy work will continue through workshops to teach local vernacular literacy teachers, as well as the creation of books, using stories and pictures provided by the communities. Thankfully Hanna’s colleague Jude helps with a large part of the formatting work for this.

The facilities that were built for workshops are called the Oroi’io Madei (Living Word) Training Centre (OMTC). Working with a local property committee, Hanna is responsible for managing and maintaining this property. A major need is for a new staff house, as termites are eating Hanna’s house. Unfortunately, there is no lead builder available for this project. Pray for a builder!

As team leader for the Gulf Delta Cluster Project, Hanna is also responsible for organising workshops and working with international project funders. Previously much of the financial and administrative work was done by a project manager and an administration person, but they have had to finish in their roles. They also did most of the OMTC management. Please pray for the right person/people to be found to fill these needs, so that Hanna can focus on translation, teamwork and discipleship, rather than admin, budgets and planning.

Recently, Hanna commenced a Doctorate of Global Leadership (DGL) through Fuller Theological College in the United States of America. This will be a quarter study load for the next four years, and offers a focus on being intentional about building a deeper understanding of Kope culture and religious practice, and how the Bible and Christianity fit within this culture.

Hanna’s two favourite prayers are “God, give me the grace, wisdom and strength I need for today (we’ll deal with tomorrow when we get there)”, and “Your Kingdom come, your will be done”.

As Hanna returns to her work in PNG, please include her prayer requests in your prayer life. Please pray for:

• good health for Hanna, the team and those attending workshops
• smooth planning of the multitude of travel details for those involved with the workshops
• safe travel for the staff from all across PNG (and Nate from Canada), as well as for the participants from across a wide stretch of the Delta area of Gulf Province
• Hanna to build new deep friendships, particularly as so many of her good friends have left the field for their home countries
• good relationships with colleagues, team-mates, workshop participants, partner organisations, the Kope people and all who cross Hanna’s path
• the growth of Jesus’ disciples out of the work which Hanna has been called to, who will then go out to make more disciples.

If you would like to consider the opportunity to donate to Hanna Schulz, who is serving as a linguist and translation advisor in Papua New Guinea, you are invited to go to https://wycliffe.org.au/member/hanna/

For more information about Hanna Schulz, go to https://www.lcamission.org.au/about-us/who-we-are/countries/papua-new-guinea/papua-new-guinea-hanna-schulz/