An aerial view of Warburton, Western Australia, where the Ngaanyatjara Bible was dedicated in October 2005. Photo: BSA (Northern Territory) (AUS05DJ-88.JPG)

AUSTRALIA — The tiny settlement of Warburton in Western Australia is so remote that visitors are rare. For ‘Flying Bibleman’ Phillip Zamagias, though, reaching such communities is part of day-to-day life. When he travelled there in October in his Cessna 206 light aircraft, he carried with him United Bible Societies Translation Consultant Dr Carl Gross and several boxes of the new Ngaanyatjara Shorter Bible.

A child in Warburton, Western Australia, where the Ngaanyatjara Bible was dedicated in October 2005. Photo: BSA (Northern Territory) (AUS05DJ-90.JPG)

Ladies singing at the dedication of the Ngaanyatjara Bible in Warburton, Western Australia, in October 2005. Photo: BSA (Northern Territory) (AUS05DJ-82.JPG)

A man at the dedication of the Ngaanyatjara Bible in Warburton, Western Australia, in October 2005. Photo: BSA (Northern Territory) (AUS05DJ-92.JPG)

The dedication ceremony that followed the visitors’ arrival took place against the backdrop of the local church. In song, words and prayer, Warburton’s Christians expressed their pleasure that, nearly 15 years after the launch of the New Testament in Ngaanyatjara, they now have parts of the Old Testament in their own language too. For although the 1,200 speakers of this language often also use English, this new publication in their mother tongue will serve to bring them fuller understanding of God’s Word.

(WR 398/14 - 12.05)
[7 photos]