Where's... this team?

Monday, I returned to the Wycliffe USA office. There are appropriate CDC safety measures in place. About half of the office staff is in the building each day now. Though the virtual conversations of the past four months helped sustain me, it has been very good for my soul to be with "3-dimensional people" at lunch and in small meetings. I've spent a good deal of time sorting through items that arrived at the office during my time at home and adjusting to this paradigm. There is another wave of "grief" to go through since the current "normal" is little like the previous one.

The folks I coach (virtually) are sharing their Wycliffe stories primarily through socially distant or virtual methods and God is still building their prayer and financial teams! Thank you for praying for them. They will fill roles as translation workers (three of those!), a mom, an EthnoArts specialist, a recruiter and a technical library consultant. They will serve Bibleless communities in Mexico, Asia, Africa and around the world. They are building teams primarily in areas like Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

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Then it was amazing for me to realize you are in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Guatemala, Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Wisconsin, New York, California, North Carolina, Kentucky, Minnesota, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Florida, Spain, Kansas, Illinois, Southeast Asia, Washington, Georgia, Colorado... did I forget any place? It's wonderful that the Lord has wound the tapestry of our lives so that as He is accomplishing His purposes in each of us, He is also using us to touch each other's lives... each of us doing what God has asked us to do in our own place in His world. What fun! And what a loving, sovereign, all-knowing, creative God! It is a privilege to be connected with such a strong team. Thank you for your faithfulness and countless encouragements on this journey as we serve together.

Every

God is continuing to move Bible translation forward, even in these challenging times. Though travel is still limited, the accelerated implementation of technology has permitted many to continue to serve, praise the Lord!

This has also been a time I've been reminded that Bible translation truly is a worldwide movement. This video was produced by Wycliffe Australia. I found it on Wycliffe South Africa's Instagram account. (Those are just two of the more than 100 other like-minded Bible translation organizations around the world!) It was a blessing to me. I trust it will be for you, too.

Watch the video.

God's Word will accomplish every purpose for which he has sent it. Every person who prays for and gives toward Bible translation will someday be able to share in the reward for all the lives God is transforming through the translated Word. Thank you for being a part of this amazing work.

Equip 47

​Praise God for His healing! Thank you so much for praying for my wrist. I am healing well and was not hindered from participating in our virtual Equip new missionary orientation these past two weeks. We finished yesterday. Half of these new colleagues will be working directly with languages; the other half will have roles that support Bible translation. We praise God for this new group of co-workers who have followed God's call into missions. Your partnership with my Wycliffe ministry through your prayers and gifts will now extend to all those who will one day be reached through their service. We are grateful! Please pray these "newbies" are able to get off to a good start as they ask God to raise teams of prayer and financial partners.

​Wycliffe's office continues to reopen gradually according to official guidelines for Orlando. At this point, our onsite programs have not yet resumed. Connection programs scheduled for July have been canceled. Please pray for those who planned to attend -- that the Lord would encourage them in other ways.

I am still working from home. I am grateful for predictable technology and a safe and comfortable place to be. I am also grateful for the many "touches" from so many of you in these days -- Zooms, emails, phone calls, texts, cards -- all have been so encouraging. Thank you!

It is a blessing to be so connected, especially in these uncertain times. Please let me know how I may encourage you by standing with you in prayer.

Surprised

Praise God for His continued protection! Tuesday, I took a spill while on my morning walk. I have a "displaced triquetral fracture" (that's a small bone in my wrist), but it was my left wrist (I am right-handed) and the removable splint has already helped alleviate the pain. The exercises I was given are beginning to reduce the swelling. Typing is a little interesting, but even that is coming. I have some other sore spots, but nothing significant. I am very grateful for your ongoing prayers.

I am also grateful for the comfort and encouragement of God's Word, especially in this challenging time. Would you continue to pray for those who are marginalized -- not only those around the world who do not yet have access to the Bible but also for those marginalized by our own nation? May we each seek God's peace and to live out the truths of Scripture so that all may see God's love and glory.

The Word that Brings Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

This was the first verse from the Bible that Afaafa* had ever read. As a Kenyan who had been taught another majority religion, she had refused even to touch a Bible. She had planned to convert her Christian friends, but one of them challenged her to read the Bible for herself. She decided to read the first verse she set her eyes on, and there it was, Galatians 5:1. When reading it, she felt something powerful come on her. And that night she had a dream where God invited her to choose slavery or freedom. She chose freedom and became a follower of Jesus. Her two sons are growing up knowing Jesus.

Since 2005, Afaafa has been a Bible translator because “if God can change my life through one verse, then I expect every verse I translate will impact the life of another Bydla* person.” She longs to see her people receive Scripture in their language and know the freedom that comes in Christ. God’s Word has power to change individuals, especially when it is in the language that speaks to them best. It can bring freedom to communities and cultures, too. Thank you—your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry are helping train colleagues who will one day impact people just like Afaafa, all around the world.

*Names changed for security reasons.

Personal Update

My family and I are well. Working from home continues to be productive. The goal now is to prep for June virtual Equip using all we learned in April. I am not sure I realized how thankful I could be for predictable internet, but it is a blessing, keeping me in touch with family, friends, and colleagues. Your many encouragements have also been a blessing. Grateful for you!