Answered Prayers

Thank you for your faithful prayers. The Lord continues to answer them in amazing ways:

• Equip #44 is going well. We've had only minor illness with one little one. This is a group that is working hard and asking good questions.
• Mom continues to make improvements and gain strength.

Here are the things I'd ask you to pray about for the next two weeks:

• Equip #44 continues through Friday, Oct 11. Pray for continued health and strength.
• Pray that we would give them all the tools they need to build their teams of prayer and financial partners for their first Wycliffe field assignment.
• I'll be heading to Indiana for a brief visit sometime after Equip #44 ends. Pray for good timing and safety in travel.

It is such a blessing to be on this journey with you, following God together. My prayer for you is that the Lord would draw each of you closer to His heart and give you great joy and fulfillment each day. Let me know other ways I might pray, too.

Equip #44 is coming!

Thank you for your faithful prayers for my trip back to Florida and my settling in here. I've been able to jump right back into routines, reconnect with co-workers, and get lots of things done in the office. Mom has continued to recover well and gain strength these past two weeks while I've been gone, praise the Lord.

We're doing final preparations now for Equip #44 (Sep 28 - Oct 11) when we will be joined by 31 new Wycliffe colleagues and 23 of their MKs (missionary kids). I'm reminded of a quote from a previous Equipper, who said she is teaching missionary kids because she realized God could use her "to be part of the team to reach people I'll never meet." As she taught MKs, their parents were able to do other roles to speed Bible translation and help transform lives.

As you pray and give for my Wycliffe ministry, you are doing exactly the same thing... being part of a team that God will use to reach people neither of us might ever meet. Wow. It's such a privilege to extend your influence for the Kingdom.

I let them know, by the way. The Equippers know you are praying for them... and they are grateful! Please let me know how I may be praying on your behalf. It's a privilege to pray together!

Exploring the Tabernacle

Imagine not having the Old Testament… How might that impact our understanding of Jesus’ death on our behalf? For those people groups who have only a New Testament or only portions of Scripture, there is much need for training about the Old Testament.

Lynda Wick is part of a team of Wycliffe Scripture Use workers in Papua New Guinea. In a recent workshop, 40 representatives from eight Nukna-speaking villages who have only Ruth, Mark, Luke, and Acts translated had opportunity to learn about the tabernacle and the Old Testament sacrificial system. Because the sessions were taught in the open air, every day there were also 120-150 other Nukna-speaking people who gathered to listen.

Lynda is a colleague who came through Equip orientation. You may have prayed for her in the past… and your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry have had impact on those she is able to now serve. Isn’t that fun to think about? Pray that those who attended the workshop will be able to share what they learned. Pray that the Lord will produce a greater thirst for the Word of God and a desire to see the translation work continue.

For a personal update, come visit my Google Group. I'd love to have you subscribe there.

Heart, Soul, and Mind

After the dedication of the Jamaican New Testament, a ceremony was organized in London to introduce it to the sizable Jamaican community there. As part of the ceremony, some short passages from the translation were read. The people shouted with joy! They all stood. They waved their arms and jumped, some with eyes filled with tears of joy.

They were hearing passages they had heard in English many times. But the Scriptures had a dramatic, fresh effect when packaged in the heart language. That is interesting and moving, but is it important? Jesus said we are to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind, implying that the soul and heart are as important as our understanding. Words that activate our emotions – that touch our hearts – are more likely to change our behavior and our thinking – to align our hearts with God’s. As you partner with my Wycliffe ministry through your prayers and gifts, God uses you to help others align their hearts with God's heart.

The Jamaican New Testament, Story Source: heartlanguage.org/2019/08/08/no-new-understanding/

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Wycliffe Conversations

Yes, it is only Thursday. I'll explain a little later. First, I'd like to introduce you to Jack & Lindsay, a couple who are headed to Francophone (French-speaking) Africa. Click here or on the image below to see their story.

It's my privilege to be their coach as they ask God to build their teams of prayer and financial partners for their Wycliffe ministry. As you pray for and encourage me, you have opportunity to also share in the ministry they have! Thanks for your prayers for them and others I coach.

Jack & Lindsay, new Wycliffe colleagues

For a personal update, come visit my Google Group. I'd love to have you subscribe there.