The Seen vs The Unseen

Bernie May's testimony was a blessing to me, so I wanted to share it.

At the age of 21, I committed my life to Christ, declaring that He would be my teacher. I haven’t always been a good student, but He’s been a great teacher! Now, with 93 years of life behind me, I’ve seen God not only transform me but also transform the way I see the world.

 I joined Wycliffe as a young pilot and, since then, I’ve spent a lot of time in the air. On one occasion, I borrowed a friend’s twin-engine plane to fly from Dallas to Houston. Although I took off in low visibility, once I climbed to 4,000 feet, I broke through the cloud cover — and it was glorious! Unlimited visibility! The sun was shining, and the sky was crystal clear. It felt like nothing could go wrong.

Then one of my engines failed.

Read the rest of the story!

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• I only missed one day of work for illness in 2025. I am thankful for God's grace!
• I have three clients now in the "new-to-me" role.
• The new software project to help our team is scheduled for January completion, which is much earlier than anticipated.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Continue to pray that I can learn the new tasks well.
• The new-to-me clients work in challenging parts of the world. Pray for God's grace and wisdom for them.
• Pray for the software development to stay on schedule so we can implement it in January.

I am so grateful for your faithful encouragements. How may I pray with you?

Christmas Blessings to you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• There's a new joint email box for me to monitor now... and that's an answer to prayer: it's caring for colleagues!
• There are other new opportunities to help share the load in Member Finance (see below).
• You, the partners God has provided, have regularly encouraged me through this year. Thank you and praise God!

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Pray for an additional staff member for the Member Finance team.
• I have begun to take on some "new-to-me" tasks in Member Finance. Pray that I can learn well.
• Pray for a software team that is working to simplify one of the most complicated process our department handles.

How may I pray with you?

Looking Back

October 28, 2010: The Lord provided the last of the partners required by Wycliffe before I could start my role in Orlando. The years have flown -- I am grateful for your journeying with me!

In 2010, around 2,000 languages needed a Bible translation project to begin. Now, only 561 languages still need to be started. Wycliffe is currently engaged in translation projects for more than 2,900 languages. God is at work, bringing his Word to the world.

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• Thank you for praying -- the fiscal year transition (October 1) went very smoothly.
• Wycliffe has signed a contract for the sale of the majority of the campus, with the closing expected sometime in mid-2027.
• Praise God for his care and provision these past 15 years!

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Pray for those languages still without the Bible and for translation projects already in progress.
• Pray for the sale of the Wycliffe headquarters building.
• Pray that I will understand the needs of the colleagues we serve so that I can help in an effective, caring manner.

May I pray with you today about anything?

Variety!

This week was full of variety! I...

• Helped with computer issues in North Carolina.
• Collaborated with a colleague in Kentucky on documents for the new fiscal year.
• Met with two different "newbie" households in California.
• Helped establish an account for someone in Hawaii.
• Answered financial questions for...
• A colleague who had a medical crisis while in Thailand.
• A family with a challenging situation in Texas.
• I attended a baby shower for a coworker in Orlando.

And I never left Indianapolis.

All of these interactions support those who have roles in Bible translation. All of them have been directly impacted by your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry. I don't have a way to estimate the broader scope -- the number of language communities across the world touched by the collective service of these coworkers.... but we were told this week that Wycliffe is currently involved with more than 2,900 language projects. Wow! Thank you for your ongoing commitment. Praise the Lord for his master plan in using us all!

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• The Lord continues to give wisdom for my jobs.
• The Jr High Grow Class is off to a great start. The 8th graders are demonstrating good leadership!
• I am making some progress learning the new technical skills for volunteer opportunities.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• The potential buyer for the campus has withdrawn. We are told that this can be common with commercial properties. Pray for God's perfect timing in the sale.
• Pray for smooth closure to the current fiscal year, September 30. Pray for technical changes which must be implemented for October 1.
• Continue to pray for focus on the new technical skills I'm learning. My brain is being stretched!

How may I pray with you today? It's such an honor to be on this journey together.

Psalm 32 - Kaaps

How much of our personal identity is shaped by our cultural background? Those who speak a minority language are often ridiculed and marginalized, even if they are also fluent in the majority language of the area. Bible translation not only helps us know God and his saving love and grace, it also can bring dignity and new hope to minority language speakers.

Last June, I shared about the Psalms that Sing project in the Kaaps language of South Africa. This video shares the experiences of some of the Kaaps team members and how the Bible has impacted their lives and families. I know I say it often, but it is so true -- your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry impact minority communities all around the world!

(If you'd like context for the song included in the video, here is Psalm 32.)

Story Source: youtube.com/watch?v=YJtGUw28ry8&cc_load_policy=1 (6:40)

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• I had safe trips and good visits with out-of-town colleagues.
• We're making steady progress on updating our work processes.
• God's Word keeps on transforming lives!

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Pray for continued wisdom and grace in serving Wycliffe colleagues.
• Pray for the restart of the Jr High Grow Class on September 7, that we would minister well to the students.
• Pray for good focus as I learn new technical skills for some volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for your faithful partnership with my Wycliffe ministry. How can I pray for you today?