Scripture Material Distribution in remote Central Australia
Project 8534
There are many Aboriginal Christians living in remote communities, who have a great thirst for the Word of God, but very limited resources. These communities can be vast distances apart and spread across much of central Australia. This project is raising funds to assist with the very significant costs involved in driving to remote communities to distribute Scripture materials, offer encouragement, and fellowship with Aboriginal Christians. We see this as a vitally important long term mission. The costs that would be supported (to whichever extent donations allow) would be: fuel, tyre replacement or repair and minor car repairs/service.
In the shorter term (from 2024), a dedicated Christian couple with a heart for supporting Indigenous Christians living remotely, plan to dedicate 6 – 8 months of the year to meeting this need. It is our hope that this will become an annual mission, even if the people carrying out the work change.
SILA Receptionist (Volunteer)
SIL Australia is a training organisation located in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria. SILA prepares people for work in language development and Bible translation. Inspired by God’s love, our desire is to see communities around the world flourishing in the languages they value the most. We need a receptionist to be the first point of contact for students and visitors at our training centre in Kangaroo Ground. Hours will be flexible.
Responsibilities:
• be the first point of contact for students and visitors
• friendly and professional communication via phone and email
• photocopying and scanning
• drafting documents and file management using Microsoft Office
• maintaining databases
• calendar and deadline management – including scheduling meetings
• anticipating needs and keeping the office running smoothly – including reordering supplies
Qualifications:
• experience as a receptionist and / or with office experience
• team worker
• friendly, welcoming manner
Training:
On the job will be provided.
English Immersion Leaders
Project 8863
Will explain later.
Photo by Hunter Haley on Unsplash
Nungalinya Indigenous Translation Cert.
Project 8331
Nungalinya College, in Darwin, identified a growing need to provide training in basic Bible translation practices to the new generation of younger and less experienced translators. This resulted in the College developing and registering a new course – the Certificate II in Indigenous Translation, funded collaboratively by Wycliffe Australia, AuSIL, CMS, Bible Society, and Coordinate Uniting Church NT. This entry level training is vitally important for the continuation and renewal of translation work in Indigenous First Languages, particularly of the Northern Territory. It is intended that many of the students achieving the Certificate II in Indigenous Translation will be equipped and encouraged to go on to complete further translation courses and to work as Bible translators.
Wycliffe Australia has a long and close association with Nungalinya College. It is the premier training body in the Northern Territory for Indigenous Christians, offering courses in Bible translation, literacy/numeracy, ministry and theology, and applied fields of art, family wellbeing and media/music. Students not living in Darwin are accommodated at Nungalinya College, and have meals provided, so that they can leave their communities for 2 or 4 week blocks to undertake their studies.
You are invited to contribute to this wonderful project just below. However, if tax deductibility is required, this is available through the Nungalinya College website https://www.nungalinya.edu.au/donate/.
Partner with us
Budget target: AU$15,000 for 2023 and $15,000 for 2024
Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.
Short-term Bible Distributors
Join a road trip with a difference! Would you like to visit the Northern Territory for 2-6 months at a time? You can volunteer your time to help remote Indigenous Australians access the Bible. Our partner translation organisation, the Australian Society for Indigenous Languages (AuSIL), is looking for retirees who can travel to various remote communities in Central and Northern Australia to build relationships with local Christians and distribute translated Scripture and other resources.
Relationships take time and usually require introductions, so people who are open to coming more than once would be preferred. Furthermore, given the cross-cultural environment, you would need to have a willingness to learn about working in another culture. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a wage or a vehicle, but may be able to source funding for fuel and accommodation.
Responsibilities:
- travel to remote communities
- build relationships
- sell/distribute Bibles and other Christians resources that are available in local languages.
Qualifications:
- volunteers need to be mature Christians who are confident discussing the Bible
- some biblical training would be beneficial.
Orientation and Training:
Some cultural orientation will be provided, held at our National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria.
Bible Translation Support Training
Project 8533
There are lots of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory who want to be doing Bible translation, but without outside support and encouragement, translation work happening in remote communities often gets stuck at the draft stage and doesn’t make it through to publication.
This project will train non-linguists such as ministry workers who are already living and working in remote Indigenous communities to come alongside aspiring Aboriginal translators, to encourage them in their work and provide support.
Partner with us
Budget target: AU$13,889 by the mid 2024
Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.
Yolngu Matha Cluster
Project 8538
Yolngu Matha is the collective name for a group of over 40 related languages spoken in North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. People often understand and speak multiple languages, but identify with the language of their family’s clan-nation. Two Yolngu languages have a New Testament, and some others have small portions, but many groups are keen to have more Scriptures available in their own language.
Funding from this project will be used to pay the wages of Aboriginal translators and cover other project expenses such as travel and accommodation to allow a translation advisor to spend time working with local translators across this remote region.
Partner with us
Budget target: AU$37,876 by mid 2024
Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.
West Arnhem Cluster
Project 8537
There is a huge desire amongst Indigenous Christians in West Arnhem Land (Northern Territory) for Bible translation. Wycliffe currently has relationships with people from at least seven different language communities* in this region, helping them with the translation work they aspire to.
One of the big challenges at the moment is funding, particularly for travel between Darwin and remote communities in West Arnhem. Funds raised for this project will allow the local volunteer translators to travel to Darwin to spend dedicated time on translation work away from family distractions, and to receive training in translation methods, project management and other necessary skills. It will also enable a trained linguist and a translation consultant to travel regularly to work with language communities and help them progress.
*Current languages include Kuninjku, Ndjebbana, Rembarrnga, Nakara, Burarra, Mawng and Jabiru-Mayali.
Partner with us
Budget target: AU$24,150 by mid 2024
Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.
Indigenous Scripture Bookshop Workers
Project 8536
Wycliffe’s partner organisation in the Northern Territory, AuSIL, works to provide biblical resources to speakers of Indigenous Australian languages. They have an office and bookshop in Darwin full of Scripture, music and other Christian resources.
This project allows AuSIL to employ Indigenous Australians to work in the Darwin bookshop to help with resource production and distribution, as well as Bible translation and other administrative needs. It is also an opportunity to provide relevant and meaningful employment opportunities.
Partner with us
Budget target: AU$16,716 by the mid 2024
Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.
Retreats Hosts
Wycliffe Australia is blessed with a beautiful, large property at its National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, which we have the privilege of sharing with various groups and individuals through our Retreats ministry.
The Retreats team is looking for a physically fit, servant-hearted, mission-minded couple to come and live onsite free of charge and help with welcoming guests, basic cleaning, and general oversight of the presentation of our lodge accommodation.
Responsibilities:
- welcoming guests
- basic cleaning
- general oversight of the presentation of our lodge accommodation.
Successful candidates will, together, need to have:
- strong teamwork and time management skills
- excellent work ethic and attention to detail
- clear communication skills (both written and verbal)
- good overall health and fitness
- availability/willingness to live onsite in Kangaroo Ground (VIC).
Orientation and training:
Orientation workshops, held at our National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria
Eligibility
Applicants must be either Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. These are voluntary, unsalaried positions. Applicants will need to become members of Wycliffe Bible Translators, and raise a team of prayer and financial partners to support them in these ministry positions.
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