Michael's third recording trip to Western Zambia
The mission
To record The Living Christ audiovisual program in the Kwangwa (Luyana), Makoma and Shanjo languages. This time Michael's wife, Megan, accompanied him on the trip. She has been showing special interest in the work lately and this would have been a good exposure trip for her.
ABOVE: Recording the Kwangwa with language helper Mendai.
The pressure was on right from the start
The first day after setting up the equipment and doing the necessary sound tests, the Kwangwa team didn't pitch on time due to circumstances beyond their control. The whole work day was lost. The next day (Saturday) they decided to press on till after 8pm to try and catch up. They ended up working throughout the weekend.
Michael and Megan discovered a new app through which the language helper reads the text from an iPad in front of him, but the typography of the text is adjustment/manipulated by Michael or Megan on their laptop as they went along.
They managed to finish the Kwangwa in two long days. By then the Makoma team also hadn't arrived. Same circumstances. Another day was lost and Michael negotiated that they stretch the first work day again, and the next. Everybody agreed that these materials had to be done, so they pressed on.
By now Michael discovered that there was a problem with the limiter on his recorder. Anton Meyer, member of GRN Australia, currently residing in South Africa for a while, was of great help to try identify the problem and give advice on how to work around it. He also emailed important information through to Michael on a few other technical difficulties. Though the problem with the limiter couldn't be fixed on the field. Michael had to cope with that for the duration of the trip.
ABOVE: Makoma language helpers from left to right: Joffrey, Nasilele and Evans.
By the time the Makoma was done, the Shanjo team had arrived and without any delay they started with that. Two days later that program was also done. Our hearts rejoiced.
ABOVE: Shanjo language helpers from left to right: Pastor Enoch, Angela and Miracle.
Despite the delays and set-backs, the commitment of Michael, Megan and the three teams (with Anton's help when needed on the home front) gave rise to the success of this trip. All thanks to the Lord Who sustained everyone and brought Michael and Megan home safely.
The first five Living Christ sets in Fwe and Kwamashi
Michael and Megan also carried 10 sets of The Living Christ hard copy pictures with 5x audio commentaries in Fwe and 5x in Kwamashi (recorded during the May trip) on AudiBible playback devices – the first field testers!
These also served as 'motivators' for the Makoma, Shanjo and Kwangwa as they could picture the results of the previous teams' hard work.
What's next?
Michael might not be able to edit and program these three newly recorded programs. Someone else will have to see this through so that these programs may be distributed early 2016 with the accompanying picture sets.
On the Distribution side
Good News Media indicated that they want to sponsor 100+ sets of The Living Christ pictures and another local donor provided finances for more audio players.
Please pray for the right person to edit and program these recordings.
What's next for Michael?
Michael will be working very hard during the next two months to fine-tune the Fwe and Kwamashi recordings. And then there is the whole Book of Luke in Shanjo which he needs to edit and program.
Need for recordists
During September Michael's full time secondment to GRNSA also comes to an end. Please pray for the Lord's undertaking as we really need at least two full-time recordists to record the translations in process on the field front during the next two-three years.
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