God’s Hand of Blessing

     Bibles International staff members again saw God at work during the annual Harvest Dinner on Thursday evening, October 16. Approximately 650 guests joined together to view God’s hand of blessing in the past year and to seek His blessing on the Kaulong New Testament, a project currently active in Papua New Guinea.
     This was the ninth such Harvest Dinner put on by Bibles International. A dinner of such magnitude cannot be realized without many hours of work by BI staff members of course. Although one of the primary purposes is to give our guests a stewardship opportunity, there are other functions as well.
     On such an evening, Bibles International is happy to encourage fellowship among believers in West Michigan. It is always a delight to see friends exchanging greetings with other friends not seen for many months. Information is shared concerning the work of BI in general, and it is also an opportunity to bring spiritual benefits to the participants as well as the BI staff. The ultimate goal, of course, is to glorify the Lord throughout the events of the evening.

     This year Chef Besh presented the meal giving guests a choice of two entrées. It was a delicious meal served by local volunteers, some of them professionals in completely different areas of expertise: a medical doctor, a school principal, nurses, school teachers, high school and college students, and business people, to name some. They were “servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
     Jubal Brass, an ensemble made up of Grand Rapids area musicians, provided a mini-concert. Their Christ-honoring music added an extra element of blessing for the evening.
      Craig Throop, missionary translator, presented his work among the Kaulong people on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. Craig, his wife Linda, and their children have lived among the Kaulong people for more than 20 years. Upon their arrival there, the Kaulong language had never been written. Craig and Linda have worked for two decades plus, learning the language, breaking it down into writing, and beginning to translate God’s Word into that language. A copy of the gospel of Mark in Kaulong was presented to each person present. This is the first book of any kind ever printed in the Kaulong language.
     Along with their translation ministry, Craig and Linda have developed a literacy ministry helping the Kaulong people learn to read their own language. Craig shared the story of changed lives because of the entrance of God’s Word among these preliterate people. His story and the accompanying DVD demonstrating the Holy Spirit’s work in this developing country captivated the audience.
     Director Dr. Hantz Bernard wrote in a letter to donors, “We met some of our goals: the evening provided a pleasant platform for our guests to fellowship; the food was superb; the music was inspirational; the video presentation on the Kaulong people was touching; Craig’s speech was moving; and our guests gratified us with thanks and expressions of their delight. But we did not meet our $50,000 fundraising goal. We raised just under $31,000. Times are tough. We thank the Lord for the results!”
Since the writing of this letter, we have received at least $2,500 in additional gifts. Because the banquet had been totally funded through table sponsorships and other underwriting gifts, every penny of the offering received that evening and that which has come in since then, will go directly toward the cost of funding the Kaulong New Testament for the people of PNG.
     Praise the Lord with us for His obvious hand of blessing on us during the Harvest Dinner. Pray with us for the ongoing work among the Kaulong people of Papua New Guinea. And continue to uphold the Craig Throop family as they return to this work in a challenging area of the world.