Can you imagine Christmas without music?

I’ve been enjoying my Christmas playlist since September. It’s a wonderful mix of classics and newer worship songs that focus on the birth of Jesus. Music that celebrates God’s story is such a blessing, but it’s something we can easily take for granted.

Now, imagine what it might be like for people groups who are just now receiving God’s Word in their language. For them, the joy of worship is taking on new forms. Music is an incredibly powerful tool to help us praise God, remember his truths, and share those truths with others. Today, some believers are composing what could be the very first hymns and worship songs in their own languages—a beautiful way to connect with Scripture and glorify God.

The Center for Excellence in World Arts (CEWA) in Dallas plays a crucial role in this mission. CEWA trains people from diverse backgrounds to serve communities involved in Bible translation. These workers include musicians, visual artists, and even professionals like architects! The goal of CEWA’s training is to equip individuals to help churches create artistic expressions that honor God and reflect the truths of Scripture in their own cultural context.

A colleague recently shared a video inspired by Romans 8:35-39, featuring three different language groups in South Asia. I’m so thankful for English subtitles, which let us join in worship with these believers!

Pray for the churches receiving newly translated Scriptures to be able to worship with all their might!

Read more at diu.edu/cewa/ - The Center for Excellence in World Arts

My November trip to Florida was wonderful!

It was fulfilling to serve with the Connection team. There may be future opportunities to support those programs, which is exciting to consider. My vacation time with friends was refreshing and renewing—and, of course, the beautiful weather felt like a gift!

Looking ahead, all the pieces are in place for me to begin a “reduced assignment” starting in January. (Feel free to reach out with any questions.) Since returning from Florida, I’ve been able to use vacation days to enjoy Fridays off. My list of projects and activities is starting to take shape, and I’m eager to see how this next season unfolds.

During the holidays, I’ve been thankful for personal routines and strong family connections. Christmas will always bring memories of my mom’s passing on December 22, 2022, but I’m seeing gratitude, thanksgiving, and joy gradually replace the weight of grief. Thank you for your prayers and praise the Lord for His faithfulness in this journey.

For a financial update, visit my Google Group.

Prayer Updates

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• The October new fiscal year tasks went very smoothly!
• We've been told that the sale of the campus continues to move forward.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• I've been invited to work on the "Crew" of the Wycliffe Stateside Connection (WSC) in Orlando, Nov 4-8. Pray for renewing and encouraging times for the participants.
• I'll be taking some vacation time after WSC.
• Pray for the Wycliffe programs (like WSC) to settle on a new location so there will be a good plan when the campus sells.

There's an update on my Google Group about exciting things to come in January. :-)

How may I pray with you?

Eight Verses!

The Wycliffe USA staff gather on Wednesdays to worship, to hear stories of how God is working and to pray for the continuing needs of those without the Bible. I was encouraged by the report we heard this week of minority language translators who are just beginning their work in Uganda. Their first translated passage was only eight verses, but they faithfully shared that with their neighbors... and some came to Christ! Imagine how the Lord will work when more of his Word is translated!

As you pray and give toward my Wycliffe ministry, you share in the reward as God transforms lives through the translated Word. Praise God!

Ugandan women, Wycliffe Global Alliance, Photo by Marc Ewell

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• God's translated Word transforms lives!
• My workload has been very manageable.
• Sciatica is a now non-issue!

Items for prayer:

• Pray for the Ugandan translators to continue to make good progress.
• Wycliffe leadership anticipates the sale of the campus, likely by summer, 2025. Pray for the programs (like the ones I used to help) to settle on a new location.
• Wycliffe's new fiscal year begins October 1, so there will be a series of new tasks to complete between then and October 20. Pray those go smoothly.

What has the Lord put on your heart for prayer? May I join you?

God's Global Mission

God is on the move in ways that we have never seen before in the history of the world!

Today, local churches are asking for — and sometimes even starting — Bible translation themselves. And they don’t want to wait for the work to start; they want to start it now. Local churches are playing a significant role in Bible translation for their own communities, and that’s exponentially accelerating the pace of the work. The global Church is taking ownership of Bible translation.

As you pray and give toward my Wycliffe ministry, you are also directly participating in Bible translation. Thank you for being a part of God's global mission.

youtu.be/RiznqLeCdDs?si=-WXU5bBLVWdvjJcU (3:56)

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• The global Church continues to participate in Bible translation in greater and greater ways, so more people can be transformed by God's Word.
• Praise God for problem-solving skills recently for two unusual Member Finance situations.
• My sciatica has been responding well to physical therapy. I have my last appointment next week.

Items for prayer:

• Wycliffe leadership anticipates the sale of the campus in the next 10-12 months. Pray for the relocation planning process.
• Pray that I will be alert to the details in every situation (work and life!) so the best ways forward can be found.
• Pray that I will be faithful in continuing the things that have helped resolve my sciatica.

How may I pray for you? I count it a privilege to join with you.

God Is on the Move!

Johnstone Ndunde, the SIL area director of Anglo-Lusophone Africa, has witnessed the transformative power of God's Word in people's lives and communities. Individuals who were not initially believers have been profoundly changed through their daily work with Bible translation. One notable example is a man in Nigeria whose dramatic personal transformation had a significant positive effect on his family and community. Watch the story to see the community's response:

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• My workload has been sustainable and fulfilling. The procedures that were new in May have been going very smoothly.
• There is progress being made toward the sale of Wycliffe's Orlando campus. All the negotiations are confidential, so there are no other details to communicate.
• I've been enjoying time outside with the beautiful weather.

Items for prayer:

• I lifted some things I should not have in early July and am in physical therapy for sciatica. I am seeing some improvement, but would be grateful for your prayers. (Yes, I have learned my lesson!)
• COVID has begun to make its way through some of my coworkers recently. Pray especially for those who work with programs in Orlando.
• Pray that each of us would be truly transformed by the Word of God.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the Lord and to those without the Bible. You are making a difference for God's Kingdom!

Praying for you, too,
Lisa