My name is Jinhwan Kim and I have been working as a vernacular media specialist with SIL-PNG since 2014. Before my family came to Papua New Guinea, I worked for 10 years as a sound engineer in South Korea. Through a series of events, I began to feel a strong pull towards full-time ministry. It was a leap of faith, prompted by a friend who highlighted SIL's need for experts like me to create audio recordings of translated Scriptures and songs in local languages.

My wife, Sungsook, and I prayed over potential countries to serve in, and the signs pointed clearly to Papua New Guinea. The entire process happened swiftly, and within a month of making our initial contact with SIL-PNG, my family was starting a new chapter here in this beautiful country.

The thing that I find most fulfilling about my job here is interacting with the local people. Despite being a major introvert, travelling to villages for audio recordings energises me. There's an inexplicable joy in bringing truths to life in different languages. Every trip becomes an opportunity for me to experience the heart of Papua New Guinea.

Over the years, I've gathered many remarkable stories. Witnessing the impact of hearing Scriptures in one's native language for the first time is profoundly moving. After a recording session in the village, one of the men approached me, telling me that he had become a Christian. Reading the Scriptures in his own language day after day as we worked on the recording had touched his heart, leading him to a newfound faith.

Another instance involved a man who spoke multiple languages. He admitted that he hadn't truly grasped the meaning of the Bible until he heard it in his primary language. The power of understanding the Word in one’s preferred language is transformative.

I also recall a challenging journey to Salamaua for a recording project. We travelled by dinghy, and there were waves up to three metres high. Despite my fear of deep waters and limited swimming skills, an overwhelming sense of peace enveloped me. It was a reminder that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Living and serving in Papua New Guinea is an honour. My personal connection to the Bible has deepened, and I yearn for every Papua New Guinean to access it in a language they clearly understand.

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