Kwadima II—Blessed Relief

For many years, David and Daphne Lithgow traversed the waters of Milne Bay in ocean-going canoes to get to their work as Bible translators with the Dobu people of Papua New Guinea.

Finally, a boat they named Kwadima, “Morning Star” in Dobu, provided more dependable transportation. Later, the M/V Mark served translators and support workers for 15 years.

Since January 2008, through the efforts of JAARS Maritime Services, a new boat, Kwadima II, is providing safer, faster travel. It increases the potential to provide up to 30 different language groups with Scripture. Of 18 locations where language work is in progress, 11 depend on Kwadima II for transportation.

The white fiberglass boat with blue trim, featuring a steel keel plate and extra-capacity fuel tanks, is well-built. The cargo hold alone matches the total capacity of the M/V Mark. With crew quarters and passenger cabin, the boat can hold 20 people.

Translator Joanna Frampton, thankful for Kwadima II, wrote, “It was a whole different experience from traveling on the M/V Mark, and we really appreciated it. There’s more space, comfortable places to sleep, a decent toilet, good storage, and great little kitchen facilities. It felt like the lap of luxury!” Joanna notes that the extra cargo space allows her to send relief provisions of rice, medical supplies, nails, etc., to her village.

Translator Brad Guderian concurs, “Seeing the nice kitchen, the comfortable seating, the bathroom facilities, the cargo storage, and everything else about it made me feel like somebody out there really cares about us and the work we’re doing. So thank you very, very much to anyone and everyone involved in getting us Kwadima II!”

Yes, thanks to the prayers and gifts of many, Kwadima II is now blessing translators and others, reflecting the love and care of Jesus, “the bright Morning Star” (Revelations 22:16).

This story originally appeared in "Water, Wind and Weather," the Fall 2008 issue of Rev. 7.