Kids Alive International

Shirley Killosky first became interested in missions through her sister, Marilyn Laszlo, who was translating the Bible in Hauna Village, Papua New Guinea.

She first went to PNG as a volunteer, after attending a summer session of SIL, in July 1979 by taking a one year leave of absence from teaching. She liked teaching in PNG very much and stayed 12 years. She resigned from teaching and took another session of SIL in order to become a full member. She went to jungle camp in the winter of 1983 and became a full member on finishing. She was with Wycliffe Bible Translators for 13 years as a literacy specialist and helped write 4 primers in the language as well as starting a children’s program, a high school and adult literacy program, and teaching  choirs. She joined Kids Alive International after the translation was finished and Wycliffe withdrew from the program in Hauna, mainly to continue with the schools that she began. She joined Kids Alive International in February 1992.  The program has expanded greatly in the last 10 years, adding many new schools and students. The medical center is complete, and a full-time registered nurse is on duty. About ten years ago, Shirley along with some of the women, began a ministry program which is very effective. Five years ago, a Bible Training Center was started which is also growing. There are now schools in five other villages at this time.

Shirley is working with the translation team to revise the New Testament which was originally completed in 1990. Their first translation was good, but the language has changed over the past 30 years, as is common with most languages.

There are still many villages without any type of help.  Our goal for the next five years is to build schools and churches and train teachers and pastors in as many villages as possible. Bible is taught in all of our schools as well as the local language.  However, English is the national language and is taught in all the government schools as well as our high school. The government is attempting to start a program where the local language will be taught the first three years of school. We will then be partially under the government program. Christianity is taught in all the government schools in PNG.

Shirley has 3 children.

First Baptist Church has supported Shirley since 1979.

Mission:  Kids Alive international               
2507 Cumberland Drive                   
Valparaiso, IN  46383