Seeds of Language

Imagine a world where people don't write things down to share with each other. You couldn't send a text or an email, knowing the other person would understand.

What if you needed medicine for your child, and the doctor only told you what to do? What if you couldn't read the label on the bottle for instructions later?

In that world, families and cultures would remember their stories and history by heart. We sometimes find it hard to memorize even a few verses of the Bible. But in this world, memorizing would be a very important and common skill!

Many cultures in the world do not value written language, and they might be like the world you just imagined. How do you even start to put God's Word into one of these languages? Part of the answer is to make sure the translation is in forms other than written words. Another important step is creating a dictionary to collect all the words people use. See how that's done!

Story Source: youtu.be/4oOO7cb11RE?si=qx3_fTXIkpAi7ZdQ

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• New opportunities are opening up (see requests!).
• The campus sale continues to move forward. There is an interim location plan for the Orlando staff through 2026.
• Summer has been a very renewing and encouraging time for me.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Pray that God's Word reaches everyone in a language and form they can understand.
• Pray for good visits with some out-of-town Wycliffe colleagues and missions friends on my Fridays off.
• Pray for wisdom and good collaboration as we update workflows so others can understand our processes.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry. How can I be praying for you today?

Sign Language in the Solomon Islands

Your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry have impacted colleagues who serve all over the world. I helped coach Teri & Rachel Miles in 2012. They serve in the Pacific region with SIL (one of Wycliffe's strategic partners), facilitating and supporting sign language translation and language development work in various countries in partnership with deaf churches, teams, and associations.

During a recent trip to the Solomon Islands, Teri was interviewed by a local news station. He describes language development work, which can be a huge benefit to any language group and is a precursor to Bible translation.

Story Source: youtu.be/xbBjnUMy0gE?si=mGL3qHm50J0OLz4L

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• The June planning meetings went well this week.
• The campus sale continues to move forward.
• Work is going very smoothly.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Ask God to open the doors for the Deaf in the Pacific to have access to the Bible.
• Pray that the Jr High students will stay faithful in their Bible reading while our class isn't meeting this summer.
• Pray for wisdom to see all the opportunities the Lord has for me.

Please let me know how I may pray for you.

Give Me Ruth!

In Uganda, Pastor Herizon was riding his motorbike when he heard her. He wore a T-shirt that read, “Ask Me About the Bible.”

And someone did. “Imba Rusi!” (“Give me Ruth!”) a woman shouted at him. “Are you the one who has the book called Ruth?” she asked.

Story Source: Give Me Ruth!
seedcompany.com/stories/give-me-ruth/

Herizon was carrying copies of that exact story. The woman had been praying that God would bring her the book of Ruth. She explained how she related to Ruth. The woman had lost her husband. One night, her sorrow overwhelmed her so deeply that she considered taking her own life. But she said that “by God’s grace,” she made it through the night unharmed.

The next morning, she visited her brother and saw a book in his house titled Ekyitabu kya Rusi (Book of Ruth). Seeing the cover decorated with pictures of wheat, she confused it for a farming book. But once she opened it, she couldn’t put it down. She read it several times that day. “It became my counselor. I am convinced that the God who took care of Ruth will also take care of me.”

I loved reading this story! God is using your prayers and gifts for Bible translation -- drawing people to know his goodness.

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• Volunteer opportunities continue to open up.
• We have a new colleague on the Member Finance team!
• We've had a good year in the Jr High class at Faith Church.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Ask God to continue to change lives through his Word.
• Pray that the Jr High students develop good habits of being in the Bible regularly, so they can know God better.
• Pray for June meetings that will include planning for expanding Wycliffe's Stateside Care. Pray also for additional colleagues for the team.

I'd be honored to pray on your behalf. Please let me know how to join you.

The First Chichonyi New Testament!

The first-ever Chichonyi New Testament is bringing God’s Word to life for the people of Chonyi, Kenya! Now they can understand Scripture in a language that touches their hearts, deepening their understanding and connection to God’s truth.

Bishop Anderson Ndumbu shared how God’s Word in their language is transforming lives — helping people engage with Scripture in a way that resonates deeply in their souls, strengthening local churches and equipping Christians to share their faith more effectively. The work of Bible translation is more than just words on a page — it’s about lives changed for eternity. God is using your prayers and gifts to impact people like the Chonyi all over the world!

Story Source: The First Chichonyi New Testament! - youtu.be/C4WFdWyN-_k?si=kFmPlX33YC3QU7U3

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• The meetings in Orlando were productive and encouraging.
• The campus sale is moving forward with two buyers: one for the office building and a small plot; and another for the rest of the property.
• My days off continue to be a gift filled with family, renewal, and service possibilities.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Ask God to change Chonyi lives through his Word.
• My finance role provides opportunities to serve and encourage some who are experiencing life challenges. Pray for wisdom and compassion.
• Pray for God's continued clarity for those in leadership regarding the campus sale.

How may I pray with you?

Praying for Missionaries

What if your prayers could change the world?

With more than 2,900 staff serving in 57 countries, Wycliffe USA personnel are currently involved with more than 2,000 language programs. As you pray and give to my Wycliffe ministry, here's what you are directly facilitating: In 2025, I've helped process finance items for more than 200 different missionary households and had an opportunity for another 200 "touches" designed to care for and celebrate Wycliffe staff.

That's the good work God is doing through you! Prayer is not just a support role in Bible translation and missions; it is an active and essential part of God’s work. When we pray, we join God in His mission to bring Scripture to every language and people group.

Story Source: 7 Ways to Pray for Missionaries

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• I just celebrated 15 years with Wycliffe because of your faithful prayers and gifts. Thank you!
• I was able to spend a refreshing and renewing and WARM week in Puerto Rico with friends.
• Transitions for the Member Finance team are going smoothly.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• I'll be in Orlando soon for meetings with the Stateside Care team and the larger Member Care & Resources team.
• The Stateside Care team's opportunity for service may be increasing soon. Pray that we will plan well as we are together.
• There are now two Letters of Intent signed for the sale of the Wycliffe USA campus in Orlando. Pray for God's continued wisdom for those in leadership.

How may I pray with you?