ames and Lois Hafford are missionaries with Wycliffe to Papua New Guinea.

Click the image below for a detailed map of Papua New Guinea.

-- from the Haffords -- Fall 2005

Dear Friends,

We're excited about what the Lord is doing in people's lives through His translated Word.

We had an awesome time at the dedication of the Wuvulu New Testament and the Scripture Application and Leadership Training (SALT) Course that followed.  Thank you for praying for those events.

We are currently in the Pacific Northwest of the USA as we transition into our new assignment.

The directors of our organization would like us to return to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and continue to speed the work of Bible translation. 

They would also like us to keep an "iron in the fire" academically through study programs.

This Spring we will be spending part of our furlough and a bit of our next term at the University of Hawaii studying linguistics.  We will upgrade our skills and qualifications so that we'll be able to serve as consultants.

Another exciting part of our plans is that, Lord willing, when we return to PNG we will translate the Aua New Testament!

Back in the USA.  Now that we're back home in Auburn, WA, the kids are settling into their "new" environment.  Although they've been here before, it's always an adjustment getting used to life in America after having lived in Papua New Guinea.  Please keep Cubby, Joelle, and John in your prayers!

Academic Study

James has been accepted into the University of Hawaii's Ph.D. program in linguistics (the science of language).  The UH Linguistics Department specializes in Asian/Pacific languages.  Directors of our organization are encouraging us to pursue this.

Part of our furlough time will be spent in Manoa Valley, Oahu working on some of the requirements of the program.

Lois will continue taking courses in anthropology and linguistics via Washington State University's on-line offerings.

We will spend 25% of the coming 4-year term on academics, which will include publishing a grammar of the Wuvulu Language.  Approximately 75% of the term will be focused on Bible translation.

Bible Translation

After furlough and academics we will return to Papua New Guinea in order to translate the Aua New Testament.  Aua is a neighboring island whose people speak a dialect of Wuvulu.  Aua and Wuvulu are related genetically, culturally and liguistically.

We will also move increasingly into consulting roles, assisting other translation teams and thereby increasing the scope of our ministry of bringing God's Word to Bibleless people.

Prayer

Please pray:

• that people will team with us financially (we're at about 85%).

• that funds come in to purchase tickets and a car while at UH.

• for our up-coming transitions.

Answers to prayer:

• The NT dedication & SALT Course were absolutely Waesome!

• We've had a good time with family and friends in the Northwest.

• We sense the Lord has been guiding us regarding future plans.

For Donations and Administrative Contact:

James & Lois Hafford
c/o Wycliffe Bible Translators
PO Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862-8200

Links of Interest:

Wycliffe Bible Translators:
www.wycliffe.org

As members of Wycliffe Bible Translators serving overseas, James and Lois are also members of the affiliated academic sister organization, the Summer Institute of Linguistics:
www.sil.org

For more information on Wuvulu visit:
www.wuvulu.com

For Papua New Guinean news visit:
www.postcourier.com.pg or
www.wr.com.au/national

E-mail:

Encourage the Haffords with an e-mail!  Click on the link below to activate your e-mail program.

James_Hafford@sil.org

Lois_Hafford@sil.org