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‘Flying Bibleman’ encounters the challenges of making audio Scriptures
AUSTRALIA — A remote community like Maningrida, home to only 1,700 people, may seem extremely quiet. Until you get out a microphone and start trying to make a recording, that is. When Phillip Zamagias, the Bible Society in Australia’s Director of Northern Territory and Outback Ministry, went there to make a recording of Mark’s Gospel in Burarra he soon found he was facing noisy competition from dogs, birds, cars and even geckos! Benefit manyThe idea to make a Scripture recording in Burarra, which is spoken by around 600 people and is just one of more than 10 languages used locally, dates back to last year, when Mr Zamagias visited church leaders in Maningrida with retired Bible translators Dave and Kathy Glasgow. During their discussions, it became clear that an audio Scripture product would benefit many people who are either unable to read Burarra or cannot obtain a copy of the Burarra Bible because it is out of print. “The local church people offered to read the Gospel if someone would record it for them,” Mr Zamagias says. “I was very keen to see this project become reality but there was no-one in Darwin available to take it on.” Underwent training Realising that he would have to take action himself, Mr Zamagias first
underwent training in how to use the necessary equipment. Then, earlier
this year, he loaded this equipment, along with computers, Bible texts
and food for a week’s stay, into the Cessna 206 VH-BXT light aircraft
he regularly flies in his role as the ‘Flying Bibleman’ (see
World Report 393/7) and set
off for Maningrida.
In the dry season, it takes around eight hours to travel the 400 kms (250 miles) from Darwin to Maningrida in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but in the wet season the community is only accessible from Darwin by air. Mr Zamagias had the benefit of people who were very keen to help him make a good recording, but what was lacking was a soundproof studio. This meant that many recording attempts had to be abandoned because the microphone was picking up other noises. Eventually, though, with much determination and patience, it was possible to obtain a set of audio files which Mr Zamagias will be able to edit and make into a useable resource on CD or audio cassette for Burarra-speaking churches. He also plans to make available smaller audio segments which can be used in contexts such as Bible studies. In each case, they will be supplied free of charge. “Please pray for the editing process to proceed smoothly and quickly,” he says. “Pray also that the Burarra-speaking people will come to a better understanding of Jesus through this resource and put their trust in him.” This story relates to project AUS001. (WR 397/25 - 11.05) [4 photos] |
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