Gumawana Bible Dedication

Come along with Pilot Josh Eicholtz and his wife, Katie, as they attend the Gumawana New Testament dedication on a tiny, remote island in Papua New Guinea.

Our trip started out on a rainy day with a Kodiak flight to the island of Vivigani. There we will board a helicopter flight to the remote village of Nubogeta. We spent the first 30 minutes flying in the clouds with heaters turned on to keep everyone warm! Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
It was fun to be at the controls with Katie in the right seat—reminiscent of when we were first married and flew around Kansas together. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Due to the large load on board, we had to stop at Girua airport for fuel. We had sent two Kodiaks to Girua prior to the dedication to stock the shed with drums of fuel. It takes a lot of fuel to support the helicopter as well as carry my passengers and cargo! Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Katie and co-worker Liz Gentry at Vivigani on Goodenough Island, waiting to board the helicopter for the first flight to Nubogeta. Vivigani was used during World War II and is the nearest runway to Nubogeta. Three boxes of Scriptures were on board too! Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
The local communities came out to witness the excitement. It took three helicopter shuttle trips to get the entire group and cargo out to the dedication. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Approaching the tiny island of Nubogeta. Stretched along the shoreline is the main village where the dedication took place. The translator’s house has a tin roof (far right). The heliport is on the opposite side of the island (to the left outside the picture) Photo Credit Amy Evers
The helipad on Nubogeta is a soccer field. Photo credit Amy Evers
At the helipad. I’m impressed with our helicopter pilots and the work they do in this country! Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
We received a warm welcome at the helipad. Photo credit Amy Evers
Our welcome included dancers and music. Photo credit Amy Evers
We rode in a traditional canoe along the coastal reef from the helipad to the village. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
The guys paddling the boats needed some serious strength to stay balanced while paddling. Photo credit Amy Evers
Translators Clif and Roxanne Olson first began working on Nubogeta in 1984. They completed the Gumawana New Testament and select portions—Genesis, Exodus, Ruth, and Jonah—of the Old Testament. It was fun to see them relate to the local people and how fluent they are in the language. Photo credit Amy Evers
During the late stages of the printing process, Clif had received a final proof of the Bible from the printer to check for misprints. The proof gave the villagers an exciting preview of the Bible that they would soon be dedicating. Photo credit Clif Olson
The dedication took place on the beach with a beautiful ocean backdrop. Photo credit Amy Evers
People gathered for the dedication. The podium and path were decorated with local greenery and flowers. Photo credit Amy Evers
Psalm 119:105 in Gumawana. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Clif speaks at the dedication from a podium constructed for the ceremony. Photo credit Amy Evers
The people came up with the idea of having Meisi, the daughter of a local translator, carry the New Testament in a clay pot on her head. They use those pots to cook food in, so this was symbolic of the spiritual food. Meisi wore the traditional outfit and carried the clay pot up to the podium. Then Jerome, another translator, took the New Testament and handed it to the United Church minister. Photo credit Amy Evers
According to Clif, many of the islanders have learned to read Gumawana. Photo credit Amy Evers
Buido from Gumawana Island, reading his New Testament. Photo credit Clif Olson
The New Testament and pots the people gave as gifts to us visitors. Photo credit Amy Evers
The village wanted to bless all the guests. These are piles of yams, sugar cane, and other garden produce for all the visitors. Photo credit Amy Evers
A view from the beach. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
They sang songs throughout the night until dawn! Photo credit Amy Evers
We stayed in their church. They decorated the church with pots, bags and kulaus (coconuts) that they wanted to give to us. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
We stayed in their church. They decorated the church with pots, bags and kulaus (coconuts) that they wanted to give to us. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
We slept to the sound of the ocean and to the village singing songs in celebration. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
We slept to the sound of the ocean and to the village singing songs in celebration. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Every meal was provided and they were HUGE. This breakfast is one of the ‘smaller’ meals. Their hospitality was amazing. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
I had prayed as we left our “dorm” that God would spread his Word through this church, so it was meaningful to me that Clif held a session on Sunday afternoon there to teach people how to use their New Testaments. The entire village showed up along with people from the other four inhabited islands of the Amphletts. Photo credit Roxanne Olson
Katie and myself with the Bell Long Ranger. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Katie outfitted in her life vest Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
All ready for the helicopter flight back to Vivigani, a PNG bucket list item for Katie. Note the life vest worn when flying over water. I enjoyed the helicopter ride too. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Stunning view of the islands. God’s creation is amazing. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Some small volcanic cones on the coast of Goodenough Island. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Vivigani airstrip from the helicopter on our way back home. You can see the Kodiak waiting for us near the large tree at the end of the runway. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Waiting under the tree at Vivigani for the helicopter to come back with another load. Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
It is a privilege to work with these guys. We have a great team of pilots! Photo credit Josh Eicholtz
Our boys were glad to see us and the gifts we brought back too! Photo credit Josh Eicholtz