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PIONEER BIBLE/TRANSLATORS
FIELD ADDRESS

FORWARDING AGENTS

V*,'\

David W. e Sharran O'Brien Pryor

Kevin I.. & Donna J. O'Srien

Box 997

Route m. Box 26
Oakland City, Indiana '7660

VoltL^ie V,

Hadang, Papua New Guinea

March, 1981

Issue I

FINISHED . . . FINALLY!

SHAmwj's smnjtKjS

Your prayers of
petition for God's
guidance and wisdom to be with us as we
analyzed the Kire sound system can nov; be
come prayers of praise and thanksgiving.
The analysis is complete; we have finished
typing it; and we have officially achieved

^dwol, hugyi and kl/i4Qyi,

packjjig,,
and piLondA,
gx)od-bij.e^,
koMLo.^,
thanI\.6QX.VA-ng. io Qod fjDA. g.ocUy^ acconipXAyiked,
wexi/iLng.
ag.(Lln,
bJx>^yiont4, dayyi

SwttejipJjzyi,

^aJjtcoy^eyi,

LuJMwut Aujo-atlnQ,,

tn.aveJJjuj.,

t/iaveMbig.

paAy^iX)yit6,

tentative orthography status.

That means we
have developed a trial alphabet and have ap

cJx>yiinQ. up oLui kouAQ.,

proval

ChjvLiimayi wLth fxuruJjj., pzJJjDin^^hLp and yiha/iXng. what Qod hxu done. ujjJdi and
ua
th/iouQh >j,oiui pnjnj,eMy^ and AupffOAjt,
ye.^, wo.
a/ie. coming home, on
and ttoieyi ajie. a

to begin

literacy

and

translation

work when v/e return for our second term.

The final analysis brought a fev; sur

prises.
We have five additional letters in
our alphabet that we thought v/e may be able
to do v;ithout.
(I can explain that better
v;hen we see j''Ou on furlough.)
Another sur
prises was that we are in a very unique
language which has a very unique feature

/xLe^ted,

new

a QxjiL Qyiptiabet com-

beJJ^veyiy6

among,

oiui

(jQw of. the. thought/i ilmi. a/ie. /lacing, tlvtough

OLui mirui^,

(Aajich 2}nd

ouA. koLLde,

QUA. ivoaA,

we. Xe.ave.

oiui peJ>i,

and OLUI QaA.ati pejopX.e.

tempo/la/iLly. ojid g.o to Madang,,

l<)aA.cJi 2kth.-.
ujQ. texLve. i']ajdjjng. foA. foAJt r]oA.eAbij., and f\aA.ch.

that exists in no other language analyzed

thus far in Papua New Guinea. Correspondence
will
be initiated
v;ith the linguistics

27th me. teave. VoaJl ho/ieAbij. ^n. HonotiUu,

department

f']an.ch 31^t.

of U.C.L.A.

to find out exactly

ii'e.

wLU.

le.ave,

VXjtt^buAgh,

aAAZve.

In

fenn/ajJ-vantn. at 6:^0 /?./').

HonotuJu

and

on

Would t'ou beXije.ve. we. weren't even excJjt-

how rare i t i s v;orld-v;ide.

</

The S.I.L.

consultant who

helped me in

confirming the analysis has requested that I

write an article

on the

Kire sound

system

for publication in either one or both of the

linguistic
journals
published for
the
Pacific and

South Pacific

area.

I f i t is

rare v/orld-v/ide,
then it would also be sub
mitted for publication in the linguistic
journal that has v;orld-v/ide publication.
Frankly, the thought of this scares me!
Out perhaps God can use it for His purposes
cind His glory to bring some unexpected and
unpredictable blessings to P.B.T.
That we
commit to Him, but when v/e begin second term
I v;ill certainly be counting on your prayers

to do my best

on such a

potentially impor

tant task.

b'e're making some copies of our phonenic

analysis to bring with us on furlough for
those v/ho are interested.
V/e can tell you
more about it then and answer any questions
you mi^lit have. V.'e'ro sure looking for\/ard
to seeing all of you!

ed untJJ. toAt we.ek, but,,.

We. fJjuAked oua.

alphabet ujAAjte.-up at: 6 P./'). F/iidmj, nigj-it the.

l6iJx of. 'Jajxuan.y,,
twttteA.

tn mj!

and at 6:01 P./'). 3 felt a

.stomach

whJjzh

continues to

gAOw aA the. daijA (Mj. btj.!

I'Je. ne.ed ij.ou/i pA.axj.enA

aA we. pack, plan,

and Aaij. g.ood-'bij.e. to oua. villaQ.e. nelghbo/iA,

I'Je. Ae.cUly, look i^/iwaAd with gAe.at excltjement

to 'de.elng. all of- 'j.ou ag-ohx,
you have be.en

^o fjDod to UA and -do faithful in ij.oua

pAmj-QAA and 4uppo/it; oua wo/ik ho/i g.one we.ll;
and we ajie. ojixIoua to
ijouA pA.aij,eA^ Ixave. done..

-ihoAe wltJx y.ou all

Love,
ShoAAon

FUI^LOUGH ITINERARY

April - December, 1981

April

12

P.M.

April

21

P.M.

April

22

P.M.

April 23

P.M.

April

A.M.

Erie Church of Christ

P.M.

Erie, Pennsylvania
Carpenter's Corners Chr. Ch.

26

First (Christian Church

Ellwood City, Pennsylvania

North Sewickly Un. Presby.
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
First I5aptist Church
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
V/iley Hill Baptist Church
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania

Stonetloro, Pennsylvania
May 17,

A.M.
P.M,

Ninth Ave,

Christian Church

StillW^ter, Oklahoma
Sunnybi^ook Christian Church
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Unconfirmed

May 24
May 25-29

Pioneei' Linguistics Institute

Joplin, Missouri
Oswego Christian Church
Oswego, Kansas

May 31

June 7

A.M.

Arling1:on Christian Church

P.M,

Storejj Road Christian Church

Arlington, Texas

Irving, Texas
H.O.P.B. Ladies' Group

June 9

Eastwood Christian Church

Mesquitie, Texas
June 10

OPEN

June 14

Albuquerque,New Mexico

June 17

OPEN

June 21

Gritz /lucres Christian Church

Hennessy, Oklahoma
OPEN

June 24

Old Uriion Christian Church

July 5

Poseyville, Indiana

North ^erican Christian Conv,

July 7-10

Louisville, Kentucky
July 12

A.M.

OPEN

P.M,

Gardenside Christian. Church

Lexingijon, Kentucky

OPEN II

July 15
July 19

Falls Mills Christian Church

Falls Mills, Virginia

July 22
July 26

July 26-31
July 29

Unconfirmed

A.M.

Mountain View Christian Ch.

P.M.

First Christian Church

Hinton. West Virginia

Unconf|irmed
Pine Grove Church of Christ

Blue Field, VJest Virginia

Martinsburg Church of Christ

Martinsburg, West Virginia

August 2
August 5
August 9

OPEN

A.M.

Unconfirmed

P.M.

Hillcrest Church of Christ

Pocahontas, Virginia
August 12
August 14-15

August 16 A.M.
P.M.

August 30

OPEN

Christian Acres Ladies'

Retreat

Bluefield, West Virginia

Williams Chapel Church
Narrows, Virginia
OPEN

Athens Christian Church

Athens, Illinois

Sept. 6

First Christian Church

Morris, Illinois
Illiana Ladies* Retreat

Sept 11-12

Washington, Indiana
Sept 13

A.M.
P.M.

Sept. 20-27

OPEN
OPEN

Waupaca, Greenbay, & OshCosh

Wisconsin & surrounding area

Oct. 4,11,18

Faith Promise Month

Morton Christian Church

Oct.

22-25

Nov.

5,6

Nov.

6-8

Nov.

14-18

Nc^.

21-22

Morton, Illinois
National Missionary Conv.
New York, New York
Johnson Bible College
Knoxville, Tennessee
Faith Promise Rally
Woodlawn Christian Church
Knoxville, Tennessee
P.B.T. Board Meeting
Dallas, Texas
Faith Promise Rally
First Christian Church

Oakl^d City, Indiana

Nov.

29

Dec.

Dec.

A,.M.

Unconfirmed

P,.M.

Unconfirmed
OPEN

A..M.

Church of Christ

P,M.

Unconfirmed

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Dec.

7-13

Dec.

16

Dec.

20

Buxmont Christian Church

Warminster, Pennsylvania

Dec.

Dec.

27

30

OPEN
OPEN

A,.M.

Shenango Christian Church

New Castle, Pennsylvania

P, M.

OPEN
OPEN

forv;ardimg agent's note

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

1,

Ease in

adjusting

back

into

/jnerican

culture.

2,

Kevin

as he

continues

to

prepare oi.r

itinerary so ^/le can come see all of yoii.

3,

Us

as we

leave

our

people

and as we

4,

P.B.T. and its new directors in P.N.GJ

travel,

i
I

Many

1.
2.
3.
4.

monej'-,

Thanks so much to all of you who have

given love gifts so P.B.T.
can continue
building a house at Ukarumpa so we cal all
attend workshops as we do our work.

that David

and

were sent to all their supporting congre

gations requesting that they made this need
known to their people and asking them to
contact us if they knew where a motor home
could be bought, borrowed, or rented at a
flost.

Lord's hands.

All our blessings in our first term.

New believers among our Gi-ri people,
The completion of the Giri alphabet.
Your faithful support in prayers and

ai^e aware

we began searching for one to meet their

needs and their pocket-book, too.
Letters

reasonable
THANKS TO GOD FOR:

of you

Sharran were v/anting a motor home for travel

while on furlough.
As requested by them,

Then v/e

left it

Less than one week

in the

later we

received a phone call telling us of a 1974

motor liome for sale in Wampum, Pennsylvania,
just 6 miles from Sharran's parent's home!
After checking it out, we found it to be the
perfect size, equipment, price, and location
for the Pr^'ors! Naturally, we took advantage
of this opportunity.
Nov/ the Pryors will
have a vehicle to travel in, a place for the
children to continue their correspondence
schooling, and a "home" av;ay from home while
on furlough.
Once again God has worked out
every detail far better than man could have
hoped.
We ask you to join us in praising
our loving heavenly Father for still another
answer to His people's prayer.

PIONEER BIBLE TRANSLATORS

U.

David V/. & Sharran 0. Pryor, Missionaries

Non-profit Org.
Oakland City, In.

Kevin L. & Donna J. O'Brien, Forwarding Agen-^s

R.R. 2, Box 26
Oakland City, Indiana

POSTAGE PAID

47660

47660

i/

I'' I

S.

to \~)-y

il)

Pryors'Prayers

Praises

PIONEER BIBLE TRANSLATORS

Jb
FIELD ADDRESS

FORWARDING AGENTS:

David W. & Sharran O'Brien Pryor

Kevin L & Donna J. O'Brien

Box 997

Route #2, Box 26

Madang, Papua New Guinea

Oaldand City, indiana 47660

September, 1981

Volume V, Issue 2

Pryors'
Paths

Pennsylvania
April 1

Seeing family at last! We met Sharran's folks, Harry and Florence O'Brien, at
the Pittsburgh airport. How good it was to see, touch and hear our parents
all at once and after so long.

April 6

Sharran's brother, Kevin O'Brien, and his wife Donna (our forwarding

agents) and theirdaughters came to Sharran'sfolks. Soforthe first timein

four years they were all together again. We got to see their youngest
daughter, Shanna, for the first time. She was already two years old.

April 5

Our first church service and Sunday school hour in English and our own
cultural surroundings were at Sharran's home church in Ellwood City,

Pennsylvania. The shiny, clean communion sets, the flowers, pews, piano,
organ and special music by the choir providedan atmosphere for worship
and fellowship that we had not experienced for a long time. It was good to
touch roots again.

April 30
Morton, Illinois
May 1-4

John got braces on his lower teeth and an activator for his upper teeth.

What a n|(>uthful and what pain!

We had fpbr busy but wonderful days with part ofourfamily inthe Lord at
Morton, it was good to be with so manywhohad beenso faithful to writeus
and encourage us in so many ways. We were also privileged to attend a

special series of studies on the Holy Spirit led by Don DeWelt.

Oklahoma

May 5-24

A very special time for Dave's family. All four brothers and their families

were tog^jther for the first time in four years, and David got to see a niece
and a nephew forthe first time. Seeing uncles, aunts,cousinsand 90year

old grandparents was also a real treat.

Missouri

May 25-29

The Pioneer Linguistic Institute was held at Ozark Bible College this year.

We enjo^od meeting new recruits, PBT forwarding agents, and new PBT
board members. PBT has really grown.

Kansas
June 1-5

We had a very enjoyable week of VBS with the church in Oswego. We met
several wonderful Christians, enjoyed watching hummingbirds, got some

lessons 911 water color painting, and were thankful to see how these people
wanted to be involved in the Bible translation ministry.
Texas
June 7

It was r^g^lly great to be with brethren from the Arlington Christian Church
again. W^ were a part of their congregation during our linguistic training at
Dallas. The littie<:hildren who had prayed so hard for Sup (an old man from

our villag|e) were thrilled to see how God had answered their prayers.
New Mexico
June 13-19

We trav^ted through new country to us for another lovely week of VBS,

seeing old friends and making new ones, and eating some "real" Mexican
food.

Oklahoma and

Texas again

Speaking in other churches, renewing friendships, visiting more with

family, lit was all so great, but the time was so short.
Indiana

July 7-10

mec

motor hbpie spent the whole week in agarage being repaired. So. we got to
spend that time with Sharran's brother and his family. Being Aunt Sharran
and Uncle David was a real treat.

West Virginia
and Virginia
July 17-25

We started singing John Denver's song about this state as we neared the

Bluefield' area where we lived before we entered the Bible translation

ministry.] This time we stayed inthe vacant caretaker's house at Christian

Acres while we worked in camp.
Pennsylvania
July 21

We got word that Sharran's grandmother had died. Sharran flew home to be
with her Dad and the O'Brien family for the funeral. We had all seen her
shortly before she died, and she was ready to be with the Lord, so it was not

the end of her life, but the close of the first chapter as she has eternity left
yet.

West Virginia
and Virginia
July 26-Aug. 16

Illinois

We were Involved in a Spiritual Emphasis Week of camp and a Ladies'

Retreat with around 200 ladies. We also took as many spare moments as
possible to visit vvith members of the Falls Mills Christian Church where
David had served as minister. It was encouraging to see so many still faith
ful to the Lord, but sad to hear that some had fallen away.

We are now in Morton, Illinois again. The church here has rented an apart
ment for us, and we are having an opportunity to rest and get caught up on
all our correspondence. So if you have written us lately, you will begetting
a letter soon.

Everywhere we've been we have greatly enjoyed the love, fellowship and genuine concern shown for
us, our work and our people. We have enjoyed being in each place and with all the people we have
visited, but time has been so short. Some of you we have not seen at all yet, so we look forward to each
second we can spend with you.

sps
COLO.

KM/S

Answered Prayers:
God provided a $5650.00 motor hdme for us, and it is paid for now.

John has braces on his teeth, and th^y only cost ustheextra trips for the checl<-ups. Many of you had
prayed with us about the money we had saved that was stolen with the briefcase. God has provided.

We have had safety as we have tre^veled and no sickness.

Our support has remained constant while we have been home, and we sure thank all of you for that.

Thank you for your many prayers. Prjayers are being answered.

Continue To Pray For:

the spiritual welfare and the spiritual growth of our Kire people.

an old man in our village named Sijfi(pronouncedsoup). Heiscountingon the prayersofChristians

here in Americato help him remain faithfulto Jesus and made us promise to relate his request for your
prayers.

for ourcontinued health and safety kswe travel and thatourlives can bea blessing tothework ofthe
kingdom wherever we travel.

CO

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