Sudest is one of Papua New Guinea's 830 languages. Sudest Island, in Milne Bay Province, is actually a mountaintop in a range that extends far into the ocean to the southeast of Papua New Guinea. It is accessible only by a 220-mile boat trip from the port town of Alotau. Sudest is a tight-knit community of 17 small villages. In this matrilineal society, women carry great influence and are held in high regard.

This translation project began in 1985. Solomon Joshua, a local translator, worked closely with an SIL team, drafting the entire New Testament and parts of the Old Testament.

But just five years before typesetting the New Testament, Solomon died. In 2012 SIL asked The Seed Company to partner with this very small people group to ensure that the project would continue and move to completion. Now they are making all the preparations for the dedication July 5, 2015!

Workers plan to produce audio versions of the New Testament, Bible studies, other related material and portions of the Old Testament. Two denominations are eager to help provide personnel who will help test the drafts and give the team valuable feedback. The churches can hardly wait to have the New Testament and look forward to the dedication and distribution of them in July.

Scripture Prayers for the Tagula, Sud Est in Papua New Guinea.