Torch, Summer 1984

Computers on the Mission Field by Dr. Donn W . Ketcham T he floodgates have opened! Computers are pouring onto the mission fields of the world . And it has all happened overnight. Let me tell you why. As I write this, I am seated at the keyboard of a KayPro IV computer, writing with the magic of the Word Star word processing program; and when I am done, the computer will check the spelling with the Word Plus program. Once I am satisfied with the manuscript, the Okidata printer will type it out flawlessly at the rate of 160 key strokes PER SECOND. Computers are something like scotch tape and paper clips - you wonder how civilization ever got along without them. In Bangladesh there are NO textbooks in the Bengali language which can be used in our Bible Institute program. Thus, I have committed myself to write a complete set of theology books, and I hope to follow that rather monumental task with the writing of commentaries for use by n.ational believers. This will be one HUGE job. But let me show you how the job can be made simpler by the use of the computer, and you will understand what induced me to become a dedicated, convinced, incurable computer user. 12 The first step in wntmg a book involves much research. But WHAT helpful books are in my library? I have recently found a program (instructions to my computer) that will allow me to use the computer to keep track of the bibliographic information on each book in my library. I will add to that a brief description of the book and, finally, a series of key words that describe the major topics covered in each book. When I am ready to pick the books from my library that pertain to any given subject, I will merely enter the key words of the topic and the computer will call up a complete bibliography of available material for me. If I want to refresh my memory on more information about the book, I can have the computer provide the more complete descriptions that I have previously entered. When the research books are before me, I will want to take notes on my reading, write quotations that might be useful, and somehow organize all this information. Again, I will use the same program, but this time I will use it like a set of 3 x 5 cards. As ideas pop into my mind while I am reading, I can jot them down using the computer keyboard, adding a few key words at the end of each notation to identify the topic. Once I am ready to write, I will simply stroke in the key words that