The Anderson house, a classic “Swiss Family Robinson” affair, built years ago by Neil on a hill near the end of the earth.
I’m off to Papua New Guinea. I flew out of LAX the very hour 2013 became history and 2014 arrived. Perhaps it’s symbolic: Another new year, another new project.
I’ll be in Papua New Guinea for three weeks. I’ll be with my friend Neil Anderson who, along with his wife Carol and their four children, called this place home. We’ll work together on a new book.
It’s not our first. Back in the ’90s my family and I also lived in Papua New Guinea. We weren’t in a village, rather a center, with people of many nations and most of the normal comforts. It was then that Neil and I collaborated on our first book. It was his material; I was the writer.
Neil Anderson is a Bible translator. With some 850 separate languages in Papua New Guinea, there is plenty of work for such linguists. These languages have previously had no written system at all, so it’s always starting from scratch, requiring much grit, considerable brains, strong faith, and many years.
The book that resulted was In Search of the Source. It’s an account of adventures and discovery of new terms for deep truths–and how they look from the vantage of a completely different culture. The book still enjoys popular readership. Every now and then I receive a copy that’s been produced in yet another language (some ten so far). Now Neil and I have been commissioned to write a sequel.
How that will go, I don’t know. Once again I’ll sit with Neil by the hour, recording his abundance, interrupting now and then, fishing for more, searching for closure. And then it’ll be working it all over and over, back home, in the months to follow.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Who knows how it will really go?
Wish me well, and Neil. If you pray, that will doubtless help.
It’s another work of faith. Which still means . . . a lot of work.
Just the way I like it.
Happy New Year.
____________
PS If you’ve got It’s About Life, check page 45, “Two Required to Make One Succeed.” It cites my work with Neil on our first book when I really learned this truth. If you don’t have it, click here for how.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
11:05 am
Praying for your journey, and your work with Neil in the weeks and months ahead.
Judie
11:51 am
Just another chapter in your inspirational life.
2:56 pm
Praying that you and Neil will hear what God wants you to write.
3:15 pm
Praying that you’ll also greatly enjoy the time and fellowship.
6:02 pm
I am so curious to see inside the house that Neil built! At least I will look forward to your bloggings about your collaboration. And maybe some candid shots of the two of you in the process. What an outstanding beginning to the new year. May you discern and receive God’s guidance daily.
8:21 pm
A grand adventure!! Emanuel!
10:58 pm
Hyatt, I wish you well on your journey. I am fascinated by the diversity of culture the world around. I look forward to painting with you again and discussing the complexities of humanity.
Tell Anne to give us a call if she needs help in any area.
Happy New Year on the other side of the world.
7:16 am
Go and work well with God, my friend.
8:07 am
Praying inspiration, safety and good health.
11:03 am
God speed on this adventure with God and Neil…
1:53 pm
I loved “In Search of the Source.” Alison and I read one chapter per day out loud, to keep our thinking global at the time. After reading Richard Stearn’s book, “The Hole in our Gospel” I was hooked. Reads such as these should be a part of every American’s curriculum. Godspeed, Hyatt! Write on!
6:50 am
Hyatt, I pray God will give you insight as you continue serving Him. It sounds like In Search of the Source is like a book of Proverbs. You have a gift of words in English so I am sure it translates in all languages beautifully. Because our Lord is with you, success is in the making. Happy New Year.
6:54 pm
I am really looking forward to this book. My whole family enjoyed “In Search of the Source”, and we read it again when we visited PNG 2 years ago. God be with you.
Happy New Year.
8:11 pm
God bless Neil and all the likes.
LLT