At first the work was very slow going. Learning a tribal language is difficult, and along with the tribal
problems in that area, the early years in the village were challenging. Spiritual darkness seemed to
engulf the people and tribal fights. Village family disturbances, stealing, lying and belief only in evil
spirits made the village a place where godly wisdom and much prayer was needed in order to work.
Walt and Vonnie informed their supporters and churches of these challenges and asked them to
continue in prayer. Meanwhile they began to look for people to help them learn the language and face
the darkness.
God answered those prayers by sending two men to help. They both had become Christians at
Ukarumpa through the witness of the three McClure sisters (known as the “Three Aunties”), who
operated a children’s boarding home. Milok became a good translation helper, and Titelab assisted.
Both grew in their faith, but Titelab fell into sin. Eventually he repented and enrolled in the Baptist
Mission School operating in the area, but later contracted spinal meningitis and died.
th
Translation Allocations 1966 – Steinkrauses 28
36 | P a g e
translation team to start work. (Photo Courtesy of SIL PNG Branch Publication)